The meeting will be held at 7pm at the Jack Evans complex in Faymore Gardens, South Ockendon.

Pc Leigh Munden, neighbourhood constable for South Ockendon, Belhus and Aveley wards, said: “We always used to hold the NAP meeting during the day, which meant a lot of people that work couldn’t attend to tell us what crime problems concerned them most.

“By holding the new meeting in the evening, we hope it encourages more members of the community to come along and set the policing priorities for their neighbourhoods. At the heart of neighbourhood policing is listening to what our residents want, so I encourage everyone to come along and have their say, and we will act upon their concerns.”

If you have any crime or anti-social behaviour concerns and you live in South Ockendon, Aveley or Belhus, contact Pc Leigh Munden on the beat mobile: 07866 543494 or email leigh.munden@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Chief Inspector Richard Baxter and former assistant chief constable and now council public protection boss, Jim Nicolson sat stony faced as the Thurrock councillors ‘pulled rank” and voted through orders that they hoped would reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

The orders relate to the Flowers Estate in South Ockendon, Blackshots Fields in Grays and Delafield Park in Little Thurrock and relate to powers to take action against over-18′s, annoyance and the consumption of alcohol.

Senior police had told the councillors that there was no identifiable problem in the said areas and that there was sufficient legislation in place to take robust action.

Labour had also objected on the grounds of cost but sensing public mood they voted with the Tories who, having spoken to their residents, believed that there was a real need for such action.

Tory councillors’ Maney, Arnold and Gledhill made impassioned speeches backing the orders.

But one former police officer poured scorn on the idea. Security consultant Grant Campbell said: “If you go to magistrates courts, you will see hardly any public order offences coming before the bench.

“If and if anyone is arrested, they will be soon released without charge.”

It can also be a tough time. YT spoke to one relative, Sue about the care, entertainment and general spirit provided by the home, which is part of Runwood Homes.

The zones include Delafield Park and the Village Green; the King George V and Blackshots playing fields, plus the Dipping and Lodge Lane between the Daneholes Roundabout and Southend Road all in Little Thurrock – as well as the Flowers Estate in South Ockendon..

Initially the consultation period ended on 19 December, but the consultation is now being extended until 2 January 2012 to give every opportunity for those who wish to, to have their views taken into account.

If approved, the Orders would give police officers additional powers to stop adults who are engaged in anti-social behaviour in public places from drinking alcohol.

Views can be registered by completing the online questionnaire on the council’s website – accessed by going to the home page (www.thurrock.gov.uk) and clicking on Consultations.

Details are also available by emailing publicprotection@thurrock.gov.uk, or by writing to Jim Nicolson, Community Protection Manager, Thurrock Council, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL.

The council had been contacted by Vikki Luck of Brandon Groves in South Ockendon, with a strange request.

She asked whether it would be possible for her husband John to drive one of the council’s road-sweeping vans as a part of his 40th birthday celebrations.

She said that, since he was a little boy, her husband has been fascinated by road sweeping trucks — not in the “anorak” sense of collecting their numbers, but he just loved the way they worked. Secretly, he had always wanted to try to drive one.

On Friday, Gary Prayel, driver charge-hand at the council’s Curzon Drive depot, took Mr Luck through a full induction and health-and-safety briefing so he could drive the Green Machine, and then he was charged with the job of sweeping the yard at Curzon Drive.

Mr Luck admitted the “present” came as a complete surprise, adding: “I had no idea this was going to happen, I’ve had a great time and want to thank my wife and everyone involved in making my boyhood dream come true.”

Mrs Luck made a donation to Little Havens Hospice — one of the Mayor of Thurrock’s charities this year — to say thank you to the council for organising the experience.

A motion put by Cllr Amanda Arnold called for a Designated Public Place Order for the Flowers Estate after complaints about anti social behaviour increased.

Cllr Arnold said “The broken glass in the play area and the beer cans – empty or filled with urine, are a clear sign that anti social behaviour is linked to drinking, and it makes peoples lives a misery. The local PCSO’s and Community Liason officer backed this at our regular meeting with them, so we were stunned when the report said that police did not feel there was any evidence to take it forward. We were disgusted to have to fight Labour councillors at the committee stage, after they tried to throw this out behind closed doors, even though they publicly backed this at Full Council.”

Cllr Carr added “This is an extension of police powers, there is no additional cost to the police, it just means officers will be able to remove alcohol from adults acting in an anti social way. It’s not just street crime and anti social behaviour that is fuelled by alcohol – we have high levels of domestic violence in the area as well. Our residents may not feel that this is required after all this time – we have done a lot of work in the last year to crack down on anti social behaviour, but they deserve the opportunity to have their say.”

Residents wishing to make representations as to whether or not an order should be made should submit these in writing by no later than Friday 16th December, 2011.

These should be sent to Jim Nicolson, Community Protection Manager, Thurrock Borough Council, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL or e-mail your comments to jnicolson@thurrock.gov.uk. The consultation is also on the council website at https://consult.thurrock.gov.uk/portal/tc/cs/dppos

The council have arranged for several bridges and underpasses to have murals painted on them in an effort to stop vandals spray painting “tags” and other unauthorised graffiti on them.

In most cases the scheme has been successful, but not in Ockendon where the mural on the “zig-zag bridge” over the railway line at Tamarisk Road has been constantly tagged and had obscene graffiti plastered over it.

Despite the hard work of the Youth Probation service who go and clean the bridge once a month, residents are being subjected to obscene graphic images everyday.

Local councillor, Amanda Arnold, said: “Last week we met the South Ockendon Inspector Anna Brennan to discuss the problem.

“The police are increasing patrols in the area and we will be asking local schools whether they recognise the tags.

“We would encourage residents to help us stop the mural being damaged by telling the police if they see anyone tagging the bridge or know of anyone who has done so — it’s criminal damage.

“This kind of low level crime drags down the area, it’s a shame to see something done by volunteers to improve our community being spoilt by a mindless minority.”

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) were alerted at 7.35am to a report of a man crushed between a lorry on Arisdale Avenue in South Ockendon.

An ambulance, a rapid response car and an officer were sent to the scene.

Due to the nature of the call, the Hertfordshire Air Ambulance was called to assist at the incident.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “We believe the man who is 28-years-old was working on a lorry when the collision took place. The ambulance crews already at the scene worked closely with the critical care team from the helicopter before the patient was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel by land with a serious foot injury.”

The matter was initially in the hands of the Health and Safety Executive before being passed back to Essex Police, who are treating this matter as a road traffic collision.

Ms Doyle Price asked secretary of state for communities, Eric Pickles:

“If he will take steps to increase the powers of local authorities to tackle unauthorised encampments.

Eric Pickles (Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government; Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

“The Localism Act 2011 will give councils more powers to tackle unauthorised development, such as stopping the abuse of retrospective planning permissions.

“We are reviewing what further steps can be taken to increase council powers to tackle unauthorised development and occupation.

“High-profile cases such as Parliament square and St Paul’s show that the current system is far too slow and that councils need stronger powers to protect local amenities.

Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock, Conservative)

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important that local authorities apply their powers consistently? Residents such as mine in South Ockendon find it very irritating that they have to abide by the council’s planning regulations while unauthorised encampments nearby are able to flout them with impunity.

Eric Pickles (Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government; Brentwood and Ongar, Conservative)

“My hon. Friend makes a reasonable point. It is important that everyone in this country is equal before the law and that the law is used against those who seek to abuse their position.

After the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill received Royal Assent, my Department started to work with the Home Office to produce guidance for local authorities that want to make byelaws that provide for the confiscation of property.

Following a short service at St Nicholas’ Church, the Mayor of Thurrock Cllr Charlie Curtis counted down to the lights.

Earlier he had said: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who worked so hard to make this event happen.

“With the financial climate being what it is, it did not look like our community was going to have any festive lights or a tree to celebrate Christmas.

“We need to thank Festival Impact Lighting, Buckle Lane; Jason and Donna Price of Chestnut Farm Garden Centre; the clergy of St Nicholas; the local council housing office; and last, but not least the South Ockendon Community Forum.

“Without their support and good will, this event could not have taken place.”

Cllr Curtis explained: “When South Ockendon Community Forum lost its lottery funding it looked like there’d be no Christmas Lights this year.

“In true Christmas spirit, Festival Lighting and Chestnut Farm saved the day putting up the lights and part-funding the tree.

“The local housing office and the forum together with the church have all added something to make this event happen.

“What a sad place it would have been this year with no lights and tree.”

Reports of burglary in these wards have increased quite substantially, after 38 were reported from November 1 to November 28, compared to 18 reports between October 1 to October 28.

Of these burglaries, a massive 74 per cent* saw burglars gain entry through the rear of the property, prompting police to urge residents to secure their gardens properly, particularly if they live in terraced houses or back onto alleys .

In one incident in Davis Road, Aveley, between 10.30am on Sunday, November 27 and 2pm the next day, a suspect gained entry through an insecure garden gate from an adjoining alleyway. They then forced open a rear door, causing £200 damage after the frame was damaged and a pane of glass smashed. No entry was gained to the property.

Police have been actively patrolling the area, and have been informing residents of ways to protect their home. Letters are currently being delivered to all households where windows have been left open, gates left open or if the property backs onto alleyways so they can take steps to help prevent being burgled.

Insp Anna Brennan, in charge of the neighbourhood policing teams for the affected areas, said: “The amount of burglaries that have been reported over the last month are staggering. Since noticing the increase, we have put additional patrols in place to curb further offences, but we need residents to help us by practising good home security. The burglaries have occurred during the day and at night and I would urge anyone who sees’s anything suspicious to ring us.

“We hope by advising residents that most of the burglaries have seen the suspects enter at the rear of the property, that they will ensure that all garden gates are fully secured with padlocks. Investing in home security lighting is also a good deterrent; no burglar wants to be seen and if they see security lights, they may think twice about targeting your address.”

Police are also advising residents to make sure all doors and windows are locked properly. A number of properties have also had their keys stolen through the letter box, so police are advising residents to hide their keys in a safe place out of view from windows and doors, only accessible to family members in the event of a fire.

As part of their crackdown, police are also targeting known prolific offenders, and visiting their addresses every day to ensure they know police will arrest them if they suspect them of being responsible.

Insp Brennan added: “By visiting known offenders, we can disrupt their daily activity, and we are letting them know that if we think they are responsible for the recent burglaries, we will arrest them and bring the full force of the justice system down upon them.”

The Remembrance Day Parade and Service in Ockendon was well supported this year with over 300 members of the public, Scouts and Guides taking part.

The Parade started and finished at the Ockendon Scout & Guide HQ in Tamarisk Road marching to the war memorial on the Green.

The Parade was led by the Royal British Legion Eastern Region Band and music on the Green was provided by Thurrock Spectrum Brass.

The service was led by the Rev. Brian Duckworth and his team ministry.

Among the dignitaries there were local ward councillors Amanda Arnold and Aaron Kiely.

Cllr Arnold said: “It was both wonderful and moving to see so many organisations take part. It is a humbling and solemn day.”

Hot drinks were provided by the Scout & Guide Group Committee afterwards.

Colin Ward, Group Scout Leader said, ‘We are very grateful to the Ockendon Branch of the Royal British Legion and everyone else involved for making the Parade such a fantastic and well supported event’.

Over 250 competitors entered from across the UK as well as Russia and Hungary. Andreas beat all in his division to become the National Kata Champion for his age group, earning himself a gold medal and a provisional place in the TKF Great Britain Squad.

As well as being the youngest member of his club to compete, Andreas, as a 7th Kyu (orange belt) was one of the lowest grades. He started training in karate 18 months ago and decided to try out for the tournament squad in September this year.

The Chief Instructor of Seitou Ryu Karate, Sensei Richard Hang Hong, a 3rd Dan black belt from Wickford, noticed Andreas’ solid techniques and his great attitude to training and decided to give him a place on the squad.

Richard says, “Andreas showed a very strong kata for his age with sharp technique, he has great potential, as winning gold at his second tournament proves.”

14 members of the Seitou Ryu Karate National Squad (also known as Team SRK) entered, winning 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 3 Bronze medals.
· Richard Hang Hong: 30yrs, 3rd Dan from Wickford – Silver (Kata), Gold (Team Kumite)
· Martin Lawrence: 28yrs, 1st Dan from Chelmsford– Silver (Kumite)
· Samuel Parker: 18yrs, 1st Dan from Tilbury – Silver (Kata)
· Jade Green: 15yrs, 1st Dan from South Ockendon – Silver (Kata), Bronze (Kumite)
· Tatum Mandy: 11yrs, 2nd kyu from Tilbury – Silver (Kumite)
· Jorden Saunders: 13yrs, 4th kyu from Corringham – Bronze (Kumite)
· James Burberry: 9yrs, 6th kyu from Chelmsford – Bronze (Kumite)
· Andreas Mouton: 7yrs, 7th kyu from South Ockendon – Gold (Kata) (Andreas’ first National level competition and second tournament ever.)

Classes in Seitou Ryu Karate run all year round across Grays, South Ockendon, Wickford and Chelmsford.

With over 200 members training throughout these areas, it is suitable for everyone from five years old upwards, with separate classes for all ages and abilities.
For more information about classes please contact Sensei Richard on 07899 827476 or visit the club website; www.seitouryukarate.com

Before people say: Did they not know it was there when they moved in. The campaigners have stressed that it is about the increasing noise and the opportunity to have sound proofing at the edge of the motorway as on other stretches.

Residents and councillors gathered last night (Wednesday) to discuss the matter. Before hand, we spoke to spokesperson Lea Tyler about the noise.