Police have drawn up a secret hit-list of the most prolific criminals in the Basildon division in a bid to end their careers.

The new black-listing scheme is designed to break the cycle of re-offending which sees a high percentage of crime in the area committed by a tiny minority.

Divisional Commander Peter Sheldrake has personally written to up to 20 people to warn them they are being targeted by the new scheme.

Extra resources will be used to monitor the troublemakers' movements, and information on them will be shared with social services, youth workers, probation and alcohol and drug agencies.

Chief Supt Sheldrake warned that continued offending could lead to these culprits being evicted from council accommodation or having their benefit stopped.

He said: "These people have been carefully chosen because we believe they are responsible for a large part of the crime taking place.

"These people are totally absorbed in their criminality. When they are put in prison you can feel the effects in the community immediately."

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