IN a report that illustrates the concern of Thurrock residents about the way their communities are degenerating, Thurrock councillors have been told more than half the people living in the borough say they don't feel safe at night.

Just 49 per cent of respondents to the 2025 Thurrock Residents Survey said they are concerned about their well-being outside daylight hours.

The figure is included in Thurrock's proposed Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2027 to 2030, which is due to go before councillors next Thursday (12 November). Members of the Adult and Health Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee will get to review this report.

The strategy sets out plans to help residents live longer, healthier lives and reduce inequalities, with priorities covering childhood, healthy lifestyles, ageing and community safety.

However, residents' experiences of safety vary across the borough and many of those quoted in the report have a more upbeat report – casting a degree of uncertainty about the integrity of the prose behind the presentation of statistics.

For example, Courtney Freese, a parent and teacher who lived in Thurrock for almost 19 years, said he had never felt unsafe in the borough despite having his vehicle stolen.

He said: "Like everywhere else, if you're not careful with yourself you will come across problems.

"Me and my wife both walked home late at night through Grays town centre and we never had an incident.

"I never felt unsafe in Thurrock. I had my vehicle stolen whilst living in Thurrock, but to feel unsafe, no. I was able to walk around Thurrock and jog in the evening.

"That is only my experience, but I am aware that other people could have had a terrible experience."

Mr Freese, who is South African, added: "I know about being unsafe."

Resident Summer Lilley also said she felt safe in the borough.

She said: "I feel safe, but I have lived here my whole life so I suppose I am used to it."

Thurrock Council said its new strategy sets out a shared vision for improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities across the borough.

It follows a "life-course" approach based around four themes: Growing Well, Living Well, Ageing Well and Dying Well.

A council spokesman said detailed measures, including work aimed at improving how safe residents feel in their communities, would be included in a delivery plan drawn up with partner organisations.

The council added: "This shared approach will help ensure that actions are informed by local need, aligned across organisations and owned collectively by those responsible for delivery.

"The council works with partners such as The Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Essex Police and Essex Fire to deliver initiatives to improve community safety."

Once the strategy is approved, a phased delivery plan will set out specific actions, with progress monitored and reported to Thurrock's Health and Wellbeing Board.