Anti-social behaviour issues in Thurrock discussed at special conference

4:00pm Friday 9th May 2008

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ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour was the talking point at a special conference in South Ockendon on Wednesday. (May 7).

Delegates from across the borough - and from the Government - were at the event held at the Culver Centre in Daiglen Drive.

Councillors joined council officers, police, and many other agencies to discuss anti-social behaviour, the problems and possible solutions.

The conference heard from Supt Graham Carey, chair of the Thurrock Community Safety Partnership, who explained the difficulties police have in responding to anti-social behaviour (ASB).

He spoke on the measures being taken, the amount of ASB in the borough, and how it is reported and recorded.

South Ockendon ward councillor Amanda Arnold, said: "Wednesday's conference was a huge success and I found it thoroughly fascinating.

"We know how successful getting different agencies and council departments in one room can be.

"The council and it's partners will continue to do all we can do to halt the spread of ASB and its impact on local people."

Coun Wendy Herd added: "That was one of the conferences successes. By getting everyone together we can now be certain of working more closely together, exchanging information properly and providing a joined-up, co-ordinated response that should see anti-social behaviour in Thurrock start to fall."

Dave Northcott - a former police inspector and now Thurrock Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Manager, explained the impact ASB has on local communities and the council's commitment and work to tackle ASB in Thurrock.

He advised that the council's definition of anti-social behaviour is "Anything which reduces the quality of people's life by causing them alarm, harassment or distress".

In the afternoon four workshops were held looking at various ASB issues and ways of co-ordinating the work of all agencies to deal with the problem.