31 Jan 2011
Trouble halves after police go out in force
YOBBISH behaviour has halved on a Basildon estate after police decided to get tough.
Troublemakers have been flushed out of Noak Bridge after officers started taking down their names and addresses.
They launched the operation after residents in Crouch ward complained of large groups of youngsters drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis in the street.
The initiative meant only 20 reports of antisocial behaviour were made between December 14 and January 26.
This compares to 38 incidents in the six weeks prior to the operation.
PC Barry Curtis, Crouch ward neighbourhood constable, said: “The reduction we’ve seen in antisocial behaviour is down to good old-fashioned neighbourhood policing.
“Our PCSOs spend a significant amount of time out on the beat talking to residents to get community intelligence and there’s a visible presence to deter crime and antisocial behaviour.”
He has been talking to Basildon Council and St Georges Community Housing to try to find ways to solve problems in the area, including the possibility of removing undergrowth and graffiti.
PC Curtis added: “The way it’s set out with the green areas and nature reserve, it’s very hard to police because as soon as we see them they disappear into the undergrowth.
“If they’ve got drinks they will hide them.
“So we are looking to clear the undergrowth away behind the teen shelter specifically to try to make it hard for the small minority who want to drink and smoke.”
Police also want to set up a Neighbourhood Watch in the area.