THE number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents in Basildon has fallen by 32% in the past 12 months with 933 fewer offences reported.

Elm Green in Pitsea is one of 13 ASB hotspot patrolling zones in Essex and Basildon's District Commander, Chief Inspector Dan McHugh, and Community Policing Team (CPT) Inspector Steve Parry were joined there by Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, local MP Stephen Metcalfe and the leader of Basildon Council, Cllr Andrew Baggott, to see how our officers and the council's community safety wardens have driven down offending.

Previously there had been reports of activity related to drug dealing, nuisance bikes and street drinking in the area but since July, officers from Basildon CPT and the council's wardens have completed more than 1,000 hours of patrols, conducted dedicated nights of action, and held community outreach sessions.

Since patrols started in the zone, there have been seven arrests, 24 stop searches, two fixed penalty notices given and 20 informal warnings issued.

The patrols are part of a £1.1m investment by the PFCC to combat anti-social behaviour in Essex under the banner of Operation Dial.

The funding is provided by central government as part of their Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and is designed to deliver high visibility patrols, public engagement, targeted youth outreach and early intervention.

Ch Insp Dan McHugh said: "The feedback we are getting from the community is the Operation Dial patrols are working really well. Crime is falling, anti-social behaviour is falling, and violence is falling.

"What I'm seeing from the community is everyone is feeling a lot safer, feeling more part of the community and less fearful of crime. All of those indicators tell me that what we are doing here, as a partnership, is working."

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: "Our communities deserve to live in safe neighbourhoods where police are not strangers but visible, responsive and working with local businesses, groups and neighbourhoods.

"By working together with councils, partners and communities we are able to identify and target offenders, reduce the risk of incidents by improving the physical layout of spaces and work with schools and community groups to provide alternative activities for young people. The figures show this approach is working."

Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock, added: "As the member of parliament, I know this is an issue that is of great concern to my constituents and I am pleased that together we are doing more to address it.

"This initiative is a great example of how the extra police officers across Essex are making a real difference to the day to day lives of our residents and I hope to see such projects continue in the future."