Brave Castle Point MP Bob Spink today told how he chased a gang of violent thugs away from their teenage victim who was getting a severe beating outside Benfleet police station.
The Tory MP, a former boxer, was driving past the station in the High Road when he came across six teenagers laying into another youngster.
Mr Spink, who boxed while serving in the RAF, said: "I sounded my car horn and put on my hazard warning lights. I got out of the car and screamed at them and they all scattered.
"The lad on the floor looked like he had been beaten to a pulp. There was blood everywhere.
"Once the boys saw there was someone in authority they did scatter but they regrouped about 100 yards down the road, which shows what contempt and disdain they have for the police.
"When the boys had finally gone, three women approached to help the boy.
"The women said they knew him and would take him home. I did not call the police. I felt it should be up to the boy if he wanted to make a complaint." Mr Spink has used his tale of bravery - which happened on Friday night - to highlight the need for more bobbies on the beat.
He said: "The appalling thing is this happened outside a police station and there was not a police officer to be found anywhere."
A spokesman for Rayleigh police said they had received an anonymous call but when officers arrived the crowd had dispersed and no one has made a complaint.
Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003
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