A NATIONAL newspaper has delivered a damning indictment of Tilbury- describing the Thames riverside community as the 'Town of the Damned'.

The Daily Mail online says residents are fleeing the historic docks town because of crime sprees, shoplifting, drug-taking and dealing, empty shops and little work opportunities.

In its feature the Mail says local people are trapped in a 'hell hole' and they compare it to the 'Wild West'.

It cites local crime to back up the claim, saying it is the most dangerous small town in Essex.

The Mail says overall the crime rate was 127 crimes per 1,000 people, - which is 53 per cent higher than the Essex rate of 83. The average for Britain is 75.8.

Among those interviewed is Yogan Kumaran, 51, who works at Moylers convenience store, which he said is targeted several times a week. The store was ram-raided in 2021.

He said: "It's hell. It's very dangerous. Every week somebody comes in here. It's very bad. People are giving-up. It's like the Wild West. It's a free for all. There's no respect.

"Most people around here do not work. They are not contributing. The whole area is so run down so people just think they can do what they want and take what they want."

Moylers was ram-raided in 2021

He added the problem has got worse in recent months, saying: "There's zero respect, zero police. The whole area looks depressing. So why would people treat it with respect?"

At the time of ram-raid store owner Ranjan Moylers described the incident as heart-breaking and, for a while he wasn't sure if he had the heart to carry on the business. He did refurbish and reopen, but almost three years on little appears to have changed in the town.

Plumber Martin Ruthwell, 44, has lived in Tilbury for 30 years and he told the Mail it is the worst it has ever been.

He said: "It's very depressing. There's no real motivation to live or work here. I cannot see why anybody would move into the area. I am here because I am a creature of habit.

"It's surrounded by industry and the port and turbines. But nothing actually in the town. It's like the town of the damned."

However, not everyone is of the same accord.

Retired print worker Jim Bennett, 75, launched a defence of the area, saying: "What do people expect, Las Vegas? It's ok here.

"I'm from the east end and I am pretty content here. It's peaceful. I go about my business as I like and nobody harms me or causes me problems."