POLICE patrols will scour crime-hit areas of Canvey after residents raised fears about a spate of burglaries.

Castle Point’s police inspector will meet Tory MP Rebecca Harris on Friday to discuss fears on the island after several businesses were broken into and cars’ tyres were slashed.

However, despite the feeling on the island, police and crime commissioner Nick Alston said figures show crime has decreased.

Insp Fergus Caulfield, of the Castle Point and Rochford local policing and partnership team, will meet the MP to see what can be done.

He said: “I’m meeting Mrs Harris to talk about the issues affecting the island and see how we can work together.

“There is a general concern about the level of crime on the island.

“It is not always helped by the way some things are portrayed on Facebook, but the damage these criminals cause is horrendous.

“They will be sought and dealt with appropriately.

“We are deploying patrols in those areas where the problems are and have sent crime prevention tactical advisers to offer advice. It is also good for the public to call in and inform us if they see anything suspicious.”

Exclusive Fabrics, in Canvey Road, and the Blue Cafe, in High Street, have both been raided more than once in the past month, with Fortuna Stores, Sophisticuts, Furtherwick Wines, Prima Dance and Shapes and Curls also being targeted.

Insp Caulfield added: “Unfortunately we cannot police everywhere all the time, and especially overnight.

“We can be vulnerable and so can businesses unless they can afford to put shutters on their windows, which many cannot.”

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party, campaigned for residents to report all crime to police.

He said: “I think the issue of crime on the island needs to be taken seriously, so I’m glad to hear of this meeting.

“Residents and councillors are getting frustrated and fed up with people saying Canvey is a low crime area and we need action, so hopefully something will come from this.”

Burglaries are down, says county police and crime commissioner

THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex has insisted that, despite what residents may feel, burglaries are on the decrease.

Overall crime has increased slightly from 1,688 incidents between April 2013 and March 2014 to 1,731 the following year, but house burglaries were down 172 to 140 during the same period.

Vehicle crimes are also down from 199 to 115 and robberies fell from 30 to 20.

Mr Alston said: “There has been a welcome decrease in the number of house burglaries, vehicle crimes and robberies. I held constructive and well-attended meetings on Canvey in both 2013 and 2014, with the Essex Police district commander and other key local officers.

“Our next public meeting in Castle Point is on November 18, but residents are welcome to contact me at any time.”

The 2.5 per cent increase in crime came from increased police efforts to prosecute historic sexual abuse cases and a countywide campaign to report domestic abuse.

Not all residents are convinced by the figures, and 18-year-old Joe Mander, of Gainsborough Drive, plans to make a film of residents’ concerns to show Mr Alston, before he interviews him.