COUNCILLORS have heaped praise on the police after deeming a crime prevention initiative a big success.

Aveley councillor Wendy Herd says an alcohol control zone introduced in the spring has made a big difference to life in the town.

She said: "Residents and shop keepers are pleased that they have been able to go about their business without having to witness drunken yobbish behaviour.

"It's something that my fellow councilor John Cowell and I fought for for a long time.

"We were approached by the police who had to deal with the fall out of excessive drinking and wanted to support them and improve that quality of lives for the local people.

"We are really pleased at the tremendous sucess it has been and would like to commend the police for the high visibility presence they presented over the summer."