News in Thurrock

A NEW police officer serving in Grays has become something o f a pin-up boy for the Essex force's recruitment campaign.

As it searches to add new officers to its ranks, the force is talking to new recruits about what motivated them to join and Dan has stepped into the limelight:-

IT'S unlikely, but Aveley could end the year on top of the Bet Victor Isthmian North division if things go their way today.

The Millers sit three points behind leaders Maldon & Tiptree – who have played three games less – but were the Jammers to lose today in a derby at mid-table Witham Town then the door is open to Aveley to go top.

A COUNCILLOR has spoken of his sadness in having to question the action – but is asking whether there is any point in the local authority throwing good money after bad and replacing playground equipment that is being repeatedly vandalised.

Cllr John Allen, who represents the Tilbury St Chads ward, says plans by the council to spend £6,000 replacing swings that have been vandalised are laudable but agrees with officers that unless there is a sea change respect for community facilities there is little point in keep doing it.

ONE of Thurrock's community champions has paid tribute to local residents who made Christmas extra special for 16 people who would otherwise been alone.

On Christmas Day the Friends of Hardie Park in Stanford-le-Hope opened the site's café to provide a Christmas meal.

A CONVICTED shoplifter will face a ban from entering Grays Town centre When she comes out of prison.

Laura Reid was jailed for six months at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, 4 November after admitting three counts of shoplifting, two counts of failing to surrender to bail, breaching a community order and possession of cannabis.

A GRAYS man faces sentencing at Basildon Crown Court in the new year after admitting assaulting three men earlier this month (December).

The offences meant he was in breach of suspended sentence set after he was found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and assaulting an emergency worker.

THE officer in charge of running Thurrock's town centre policing teams has been honoured for his work.

Sgt Ben Forbes says he is 'shocked and humbled' after being nominated for the British Citizen Award for Services to the Community, which is described as being for someone that is a pillar of their local community and someone that local residents relate to, rely upon, or seek advice from.

THURROCK Council's chief executive Lyn Carpenter has delivered a festive message and spoken of the challenge of the coming year and new decade in the borough.

She says: "As we head towards the end of 2019, it has been quite a year for the public sector in many ways.

AN exclusion order has been placed on a Corringham man, banning him from entering a number of streets in the town.

The ban follows Dean Eric Randall's plea of not guilty to a stalking charge, in which he is said to have harassed a Corringham woman (who we have chosen not to name) by attending her Corringham home, following her to and from work and loitering around her work place.

A LOCAL charity co-ordinator has paid tribute to and thanked one of her volunteers who opened up her home to lonely people at Christmas.

Loraine Coleman is the regional co-ordinator for the ReEngage charity (formerly Contact the Elderly) which helps older people who are lonely be arranging tea parties and events.