THOSE making a mess of this borough beware.

A few weeks ago the Gazette launched the Love Thurrock campaign with the council.

To its credit, the authority has already shown, as has been well-documented in the Gazette, how it is getting tough with those people who think it’s fine to chuck litter around the streets.

So far hundreds of these people have been hit with £75 on-the-spot fines. In our latest edition, our story tells how the council is getting serious in other ways. Paul McConville, who lives in Chafford Hundred, knows all about this. Today he faces a payout of almost £1,500.

Why? Well, he left rubbish scattered around his property and his neighbours complained and the council acted.

Mr McConville, of Swiftsure Road, failed to show up at court, but that didn’t stop magistrates who convicted him in his absence.

Hopefully the council’s tough approach will convince some of the doubters that the authority is serious about clearing up the borough.

And not afraid to go to court when it’s needed either.

In turn, hopefully, this will encourage more families, residents and businesses to get involved in the Love Thurrock campaign. You can get involved within your community, maybe by taking part in the next neighbourhood clear-up? The council is doing its bit, you can do yours.