The new Canvey Independent Party pledged to shame the council into improving life for elderly residents on the island.

Party leader Dave Blackwell spoke of his plans after the Evening Echo newspaper revealed yesterday that elderly people in two residential homes were being terrorised through the night by gangs of youths.

The campaign will be a two-pronged effort.

Firstly, the island party plans to highlight the suffering of elderly people. Secondly, it intends to arrange a meeting with groups such as Age Concern and the borough's first anti-social behaviour officer, Jack Lawmon.

Mr Blackwell said: "I always feel so helpless when I hear of the mindless vandalism and intimidating behaviour our elderly people are subjected to.

"The only way to get the council to act is to shame them into it.

"I'm not afraid of doing this. Someone needs to speak up for the elderly and we are going to do it."

Published Wednesday July 28, 2004

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