PFCC Essex, MP and Council Leader visit Thurrock to see benefits of anti-social behaviour hotspot funding

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, last week joined Dame Jackie Doyle-Price MP to view the impact anti-social behaviour hotspot funding has had on Lakeside shopping centre and Chafford Hundred Station.

In July last year the PFCC was able to invest an extra £1.1m in high-visibility patrols and targeted intervention to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in 11 hotspots across Essex, later expanded to 13.

The area of Thurrock surrounding the Lakeside shopping centre and Chafford Hundred Station was one of 13 identified hotspots in Essex to receive a share of this funding.

The very latest year-on-year figures to the end of January show anti-social behaviour incidents in Thurrock district have decreased by 32%.

Lakeside Chief Executive Howard Oldstein welcomed Mr Hirst, Dame Jackie Doyle-Price and Cllr Andrew Jeffries, Leader of Thurrock Council.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “I’m pleased to visit the Lakeside area with Dame Jackie to see how the targeted anti-social behaviour hotspot funding is impacting the area.

“The figures speak for themselves and it’s good to hear first hand how this funding is creating a safe and secure community. Our approach to getting anti-social behaviour down is working.”

Dame Jackie Doyle-Price MP said: “It was great to show Roger Hirst the unique challenges that face us with crime and policing at Lakeside and Chafford Hundred.

“I am pleased that Essex Police have been both collaborative and imaginative in trying to address these issues.”