ABOUT 100 residents took part in a lively debate with Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston.

The public meeting, at The Paddocks in Long Road, Canvey, was a chance for Castle Point residents to hear about crime trends in their area, question the PCC and local officers and raise any other crime or policing related concerns.

Travellers, part-night lighting, cruising in Roscommon Way, crime trends in Castle Point, the new Essex Police local policing plan and security around Canvey’s major industrial sites were among the topics discussed.

The Echo will have a two page special report in Friday's paper looking in depth at the issues discussed including the invasion of illegal travellers to Canvey last month and the latest crime figures.

Figures show crime in the district has increased by 10.5 per cent when comparing August 2013 to July 2014 with the previous year.

All crime in Canvey itself has increased by less than two per cent and house burglary on the island was down 30 per cent. But district-wise house burglary was up by 5.2 per cent and burglary to sheds, garages and businesses had increased by 6.9 per cent.

Det Chief Insp Scott Cannon, head of Essex Police’s sexual offences investigation team spoke about the 84.6 per cent increase in sexual offences in the district, saying many of those cases were historical allegations. He believed the rise in offences was in the main attributable to more victims’ having the confidence to come forward after the publicity around several high profile cases involving.

Nick Alston said after the meeting: "I always receive a warm welcome in Canvey. The meetings have all been busy and yet again there were some great questions and some lively and interesting debate.

"I was pleased to hear from residents that the problems around cruising in Roscommon Way finally seem to be improving, due to the new CCTV cameras and I will continue to work with the police and partners to ensure that remains the case.

"Residents also raised some very valid concerns about the recent traveller-related disorder and the security at Canvey’s major industrial sites. I will take away both of those issues and explore them further with the chief constable.”