THURROCK’S Neighbourhood Policing Team have secured burglary charges against a man after a shop in South Ockendon was targeted.
The team have been investigating a break-in and an attempted break-in at the Lidl store on Daiglen Drive on 12 May and 3 June respectively.
Officers responding to the second incident arrested a man within minutes.
Scott Perry, 36, of Afton Drive, South Ockendon, has now been charged with burglary and attempted burglary.
He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 June.
He has also been charged with burglary and four counts of theft from a shop, and remanded in custody, in connection with incidents at shops in the town between 30 April and 5 May.
He is next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court in connection with these offences on 27 June.
Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams have recently been expanded with 74 new officers added to them across the force.
The NPT is an expanded version of the former community policing team, with additional officers on the streets of the district to prevent offending, reduce anti-social behaviour, carry out proactive operations and enforce orders.
They will also investigate robberies and sexual offences, vehicle crime, shoplifting, business burglaries, and dangerous dog incidents.
The team will be visible in neighbourhoods across the district and will work together with partners at the council, public services, charities and other agencies to make Thurrock a safe and welcoming place for residents and visitors.
District Commander Chief Inspector Tony Atkin says: “People have told us they want to see more officers on our streets and that visible policing is important to them.
“We understand and I’m delighted that, with the uplift of numbers into Thurrock Neighbourhood Policing Team, we will seek to deliver this. It means we can be more proactive, working with partner agencies to deal with the issues that matter most in our neighbourhoods.
“We’ll continue listening to and talking with our town centre shops, local businesses and community groups but we also want to hear from you.
“You tell us that nuisance vehicles, on and off road, is your top local concern and we continue to deal with this, using the tactical options available to us.
“My pledge to you is that my neighbourhood policing officers will continue to be visible in our communities while investigating crime, getting justice for victims and working on solutions to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across Thurrock still further.”
