TODAY (4 June), Jen Craft MP visited Grays Police Station to mark the launch of Thurrock’s new Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Mrs Craft, Member of Parliament for Thurrock, met members of the new community team, which will see eight additional officers focusing on neighbourhood policing in the borough. The team will tackle crimes like street robbery, commercial burglary, vehicle crime, and shoplifting, providing a visible police presence in key areas.
The neighbourhood teams in Essex are part of the national rollout of the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee – delivering on Labour’s manifesto pledge to restore community-focused policing. Essex Police has received nearly £4.5 million of funding this year to support the delivery of these plans, with 74 additional officers now in neighbourhood teams across the county.
Along with BJ Harrington, Chief Constable for Essex police, and Roger Hirst, Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mrs Craft joined the neighbourhood team on a walkabout of the high street.
The additional officers in Thurrock will will patrol town centres across the borough, such as Grays High Street and Derwent Parade, with Tilbury also assigned two dedicated officers – reflecting an increase in reported crime in the area, particularly around Calcutta Road.
Labour’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee aims to reverse the decline of visible, community policing over the past decade, as PCSO numbers nationally have halved since March 2010 according to police workforce statistics.
The Government’s plans, which will put an additional 13,000 officers into neighbourhood policing roles by 2029, are backed by £200 million of funding this year,
Jen Craft MP, Member of Parliament for Thurrock, said:
“Having hosted several community events discussing crime and anti-social behaviour, I know how important visible, local policing is to people in Thurrock.
“A stronger police presence across our borough is key tackling crime and keeping communities safe, so it’s fantastic to have eight new neighbourhood officers on our streets thanks to the government’s plans.
“This dedicated neighbourhood team is another step toward delivering Labour’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, putting more bobbies on the beat to strengthen ties between police and the communities they serve.”
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