EXTRA police patrols are being carried out at in and near a South Essex park after years of antisocial behaviour plaguing the area.

Officers are patrolling Cranfield Park in Wickford and the surrounding areas after ongoing issues with people using catapults, dirt bikes, and motorbikes, and throwing eggs. Essex Police has also launched a specific operation to deal with ongoing issues in the area.

In an operation on Tuesday, 28 October police say they "spent a significant amount of time" engaging with the young people in the area.

Wickford Conservative councillor George Jeffrey had raised serious concerns with Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

He said: "These issues have been ongoing for a number of years and I have now had to campaign publicly to get the police to see the severity of the problem and police are now trying to tackle these problems.

"They must adopt a zero-tolerance approach and use all resources I have been able to help secure over the years and most recently with the Safer Streets funding. These patrols must continue, and any anti-social behaviour dealt with swiftly. Residents deserve to feel safe and to see action being taken – not just once, but consistently."

A spokesman for the Essex Police Basildon District Team said: "We've been carrying out patrols in Cranfield Park, Wickford and surrounding areas. The patrols are a direct result of listening to members of our community who have expressed concern regarding anti-social behaviour. We have now set up a dedicated operation to target this issue and keep our neighbourhoods safe.

"You will see regular high visibility patrols by our officers, but on occasions we may patrol in plain clothes. If you see anything that concerns you, report it. Call 101 or in an emergency, call 999."