News in Thurrock

THE police officer in charge of patrolling three of the borough's town centres took to social media on Thursday evening (28 November) to answer a wide range of questions.

Sgt Ben Forbes manages town centre policing teams in Grays, South Ockendon and Stanford-le-Hope - areas where residents have frequently complained of a lack of police presence and several of them pulled no punches when questioning Sgt Forbes.

MAGISTRATES heard how a Tilbury woman was brutally beaten up by her partner - who then went on to assault a police by biting him.

Joseph Harman, 27, has been kept behind bars while his fate is considered but it is likely he will face a further prison sentence after pleading guilty to the offences.

ONE of Thurrock's best business success stories is about to enter another chapter next year after announcing further expansion.

Independently-owned cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), which is based in West Thurrock and is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has announced the acquisition of two more cruise ships to join its expanding fleet - increasing to eight cruise ships in 2021.

RESIDENTS have been warned that river levels on the Thames as it passes through Thurrock and wider south Essex could reach danger levels in the next 24 hours.

The government has issued a warning because there is a possibility of some flooding of homes and businesses between 1am to 2am tomorrow, Friday 29 November.

GRATEFUL parents have expressed their thanks after nominating the nursery that cares for their epileptic child for recognition.

Thanks to Kelli and Jason Sly, Willow Garden Day Nursery at Orsett Heath has been awarded the Epilepsy Action early years education award.

RESIDENTS in South Ockendon will be able to get down to the grotto this weekend and meet Santa.

The South Ockendon Centre community hub on Derry Avenue will play host to a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday (30 November).

A RURAL community in Thurrock is suffering under a fear of crime after a spate of incidents which have prompted members of its local forum to urge residents to remain vigilant.

In the latest incident in Horndon on the Hill on Wednesday police were called at around 7.40pm to reports of a burglary in Hillcrest Road.

THE officer running three town centre policing teams in Thurrock is to host a public forum on social media to discuss how they are deployed.

Sgt Ben Forbes, will be on Facebook this evening (Thursday, 28 November) to answer questions from residents.

IN the wake of continuing concern from residents about gangs of young people causing problems and threatening violence in the east of the borough the Essex Police sergeant in charge of town centre policing has called on residents to let the force have as much information as possible.

Comments about problems in Stanford-le-Hope - and particularly Corringham - town centres have been a common appearance on local social media sites.

THE harrowing story of a Thurrock woman who was subject to domestic abuse took centre stage at a conference this week to mark Essex Police's 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse awareness campaign.

Officers from the force participated in the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Abuse Board's (SETDAB) annual conference to discuss the work they are doing around coercive and controlling behaviour.