News in Thurrock

IN the wake of some criticism about a lack of intervention and support for the borough's homeless community Thurrock Council's Cabinet has approved a new strategy to help tackle the issue.

It says its initiative will ensure collaboration, partnership and communication to make sure that support is provided to those that need it.

NATIONAL Lottery cash is to be out to community use in Thurrock over the next three years after a borough-based arts company secured funding.

is delighted to announce that it has been successful in securing funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and will receive a grant to develop the T100 Walking, Talking & Making Festival into a local community run organisation over the next three years.

THURROCK Nub News smashed through a landmark figure this evening (Tuesday, 14 January) as we continue to bring you the community-driven news service Thurrock deserves.

Launched in mid November Thurrock Nub News has concentrated on local issues ranging from small community events to big, exclusive exposés.

POLICE are looking to speak to 22 year-old David Pascan in connection with an assault in Grays.

It took place in Ruskin Road just after midnight on Christmas Eve.

ESSEX police have flagged up how additional officers working in Grays town centre under an initiative entitled Operation Sceptre arrested a woman on a shoplifting spree who was detained by the work of a store detective.

The events happened on Monday when officers responded to an incident in Grays following a female having been detained after assaulting a plain clothes store detective.

THURROCK Council is set to start shaming offenders who breach anti-social behavior, fly-tipping, - and public nuisance regulations by publishing their pictures online.

At this week's meeting of the authority's ruling cabinet it was agreed to support a recommendation to use CCTV images in the fight against crime.

BUSINESS owners in Grays have expressed their disappointment at the implementation of roadworks as Thurrock Council began work on the two way traffic system around the town centre.

Work started today (Thursday, 16 January) on the work, which centres on Orsett Road and contributory streets.

A FREQUENTLY outspoken Thurrock councillor and community campaigner faces a disciplinary crackdown in the latest hounding of democratically elected representatives by the authority's officer hierarchy.

Homesteads ward councillor Gary Byrne is to be hauled before a disciplinary hearing - for the second time - after questioning the authority's ability to manage the Stanford-le-Hope rail station project and calling for officers responsible for the massive overspend and delays on the A13 widening project to be called to account.

LESS than 24 hours after sitting alongside his group leader when they together extolled the virtues of the ruling Conservative administration Stanford-le-Hope councillor James Halden has sprung a shock by quitting his role on Thurrock Council's cabinet - citing irreconcilable issues between himself and Cllr Rob Gledhill.

Cllr Halden, long-regarded as one of the Tory party's rising young stars and a

ESSEX Police have reported on a successful traffic operation as part of their clampdown on rogue drivers.

In collaboration with Safer Essex Roads they marked 'Surround a Town' day in Grays yesterday with a variety of checkpoints, pulling over drivers.