THE High Sheriff of Essex met with Thurrock’s Nepalese Gurkha community as part of a Home Office initiative entitled "Not in my neighbourhood week".

They met at the Thurrock Asian Association headquarters in Clarence Road, Grays.

The initiative is a joint effort between Essex Police and local councils to enable them to speak to members of the public and get feedback on local concerns.

Nepalese Gurkhas have played a pivotal role in the British armed forces over many years. Despite this they have only recently been given the right to live in Britain.

Secretary of Thurrock Nepalese Gurkha community and Falklands war veteran, Netra Limbu, said: “In the Thurrock area we have around 400 Gurkha families who started arriving here three years ago.

“It can be hard to communicate but our English is improving.

“We’d like to thank the High Sheriff for meeting with us and hope to work with the Police and Council.

“Some of the younger generation still don’t know who we are and we’d like to change that by introducing ourselves to the community.”

High Sheriff of Essex Mrs Sarah Courage, said: "I think the Gurkha community are something we should all be very proud of. They have given their all for this country.

“I have the greatest respect for them."