ESSEX Police have insisted that anti-social behaviour crime in Corringham is falling, amid fears from residents and campaigners.

It comes as more than 2,000 signatures were collected by Ukip councillor Roy Jones, on a petition calling for greater police presence in the town.

The petition also called for Corringham Police Station to be used as a base for Grays police officers patrolling the area.

The station’s front counter was closed to the public in November 2011 and was used by officers and the Thurrock Youth Offending Service team as a base until November 2016.

In October 2015, it was announced Corringham police station would be one of a number sold as the force reduces its estate from 80 to 30 buildings. It was placed on the market in February this year.

An Essex Police spokesman insists reports of anti-social behaviour in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham are falling.

She said: “We regularly carry out routine and targeted patrols and are working with our partners to tackle emerging crime trends, crime hotspots and local issues.

“There has been a decline in reports of anti-social behaviour in the four wards of Stanford East & Corringham Town, Stanford-le-Hope West, Corringham & Fobbing and The Homesteads.

“We have been working closely with our partners and have carried out targeted operations in response to concerns about anti-social behaviour, which included working with businesses and partners in Corringham town centre between November last year and January this year.

“Catching criminals, preventing and detecting crime, supporting victims and the visibility of police officers is not reliant on particular buildings. We also rely on information from the public and ask residents to please report incidents to us so we can take appropriate action.”

For more information, visit essex.police.uk/do-it-online or call101.