A POLICE shake-up will see Corringham and South Ockendon stations manned for 24 hours a day with more than 20 response officers as of Monday, November 21.

The aim, by new Chief Supt Simon Coxall, is to see antisocial behaviour and yob criminality tackled head on and a change from the current centralised policing from the divisional headquarters in Grays to a more "neighbourhood policing" format.

Mr Coxall said: "Local crimes and local disorder demand local solutions. I have, since arriving as divisional commander in Thurrock in September, wanted to reinforce the emphasis on making sure the villains and yobbish element know we are on to their game."

In addition, it is hoped the methods and identities of local troublemakers and criminals will become better known to officers while a number of hard-hitting enforcement operations are already planned between now and the new year.

Mr Coxall said: "It is vital that our officers take ownership of the problems that our communities are facing.

"This is exactly what they want to do, and they will do that better by being constantly within those communities.

"We can't be everywhere all of the time, so it is only right that we base ourselves where we can have most effect. Communities we serve have the right to be concerned if they do not have a clearly visible and engaged police presence and it is crucial that we respond to their feedback."

Councillor Pam Pearse, Thurrock Council's crime and disorder cabinet member, welcomed the plan, adding: "Anything which sees more police officers on the frontline and available to directly combat crime has to be a good idea.

"Thurrock Council and Essex Police are working together in many different ways to make our streets safer for our residents and this move should help both deter criminals and detect criminality."