THURROCK Council’s housing enforcement team has stepped up joint patrols with the police following a rise in anti-social behaviour and hate crime during the summer.
The team investigates anti-social behaviour where council tenants are thought to be at fault or they are being affected by the behaviour.
The police deal with all other types of anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour officers are joining police officers patrolling selected areas on both foot and in police cars.
Since April, reports of general anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and hate crime have increased as the summer has progressed. The team is working closely with police and the Thurrock community safety partnership to tackle a disturbing rise in hate crime, particularly in Tilbury. There has been a significant rise in violent incidents that appear to be racially motivated.
In the three months from 1 April the housing enforcement team had 144 active cases involving general anti-social behaviour and crime. The figures show a particular rise in Tilbury, Grays Riverside, Stanford and Corringham and Ockendon. They cover allegations ranging from public order disturbances and criminal damage to hate crime, domestic abuse and alleged drug dealing.
Thurrock Council’s housing portfolio holder, Cllr Lynn Worrall, said: “Summer should be a time for fun and frolics – not fear and affray. Our housing enforcement services are working hard to keep tenants and the wider community safe from the appalling behaviour of the few.
“A reported rise in the levels of racially motivated violence cannot and will not be tolerated. I want to thank our staff for working with the police and others to help bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Conservative Leader and housing spokesman Councillor Rob Gledhill added: "I welcome the use of anti social behaviour patrols to help tackle this growing problem.
"There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour, it not only affects the intended victims but increases the fear of crime for those living in the area. By committing anti social behaviour, or allowing it happen, tenants risk losing their homes and Thurrock Council should not shy away from using this sanction to show that these actions will not be tolerate."
In the three months from 1 April the housing enforcement team had 144 active cases involving general anti-social behaviour and crime. The figures show a particular rise in Tilbury, Grays Riverside, Stanford and Corringham and Ockendon. They cover allegations ranging from public order disturbances and criminal damage to hate crime, domestic abuse and alleged drug dealing.
You can report anti-social behaviour online at thurrock.gov.uk/asb.
