Local residents would love the chance to work with the police to tackle graffiti and other forms of anti-social behaviour from the very small but malign element among the local youth. There is just one snag – the police presence on the ground is minimal. Yes I know we have the PCSOs but to be blunt, they are hobby bobbies with no powers and cannot gain any respect from the small minority of yobs in the area. When you do see PCSOs, it seems to be only during the daytime or early evening. Most anti-social behaviour takes place later in the evening or after dark when there is no police presence except for the odd patrol car which could be as far away as Tilbury.

Cllr. Nicklen would do well to challenge the police on their tactics to deal with youth disorder in the area. The police seem to exist to meet government targets and to serve their own internal agenda. Apart from occasional initiatives that seem to be exercises in PR and spin to give the impression that something is being done, there is little real accountability to the community they are supposed to be serving.

As well as stick in the form of an effective police deterrent on the ground and the threat of punishment, there does need to be some carrot in the way of better youth provision. When there is nothing to do, it is all too easy for a malign minority among local youth to have an unwelcome and undue influence on the majority. Most people we have talked to do recognise the need for a decent range of challenging activities for the majority who do behave themselves, while at the same time endorsing tough sanctions on the minority who misbehave. But only by providing for the majority does it become possible to identify the malign minority.

Inevitably there will always be an element of disaffected youth and uncaring parents who will not be reached by this increase in provision and support: those who make life intolerable for the wider community must be made to understand that they will be isolated by the community, and life will become intolerable for them.

Dave Amis
Thurrock IWCA

Completely agree! Well Said!