The emergency services and Thurrock Council have teamed up to co-ordinate a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

The move is in response to an increase in car and bin fires, where firefighters have been attacked, prompting the fire service to double the numbers of officers attending.

But now station officer Bob Wahl, of Orsett fire station, is hoping that more liaison with residents can produce a long-term solution to the problems.

He said: "We aren't sending two appliances to incidents any more, not because the situation has improved greatly but because we can't keep doing that and provide proper fire cover for the area.

"We are speaking with Thurrock Council and the police to create a multi-agency approach, and we're keen to involve residents more, because it's their problem as well."

Insp Andy Norton, of Tilbury police, said they were making use of high-visibility patrols and working with the council and police." Alan Dawkes, Thurrock Council's head of housing, said their role was to ensure residents felt safe in their homes.

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