MOBILE pop-up police stations will open across Basildon in the wake of a brutal murder.

Officers will tackle safety concerns in the community by increasing their presence, especially in crime hotspots.

They will be on hand to offer advice on how to stay safe and speak to residents about crime and antisocial behaviour incidents.

Sgt Al Burridge said Pitsea will be a main area of focus after Chris Carroll, 20, was this week convicted of stabbing dad-of-one Darren Kelly to death.

Carroll was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 21 years.

Mr Burridge said: "Up until two months ago, Pitsea North West was the site for the community safety action zone - a tactical area from the community safety partnership in company with the police and other agencies.

"For five months, quite a lot of work was done to tackle safety issues, particularly in Northlands Park. We had the knife amnesty bin installed and the anti-knife crime march.

"The way that is going to operate is going to be changing. Once every six weeks as a community safety partnership, we are going to pop up in different wards to offer crime prevention advice, encourage people to join neighbourhood watch and have high-profile visibility.

"Our focus will also be in Pitsea following this murder to address community concerns.

"This crime rocked the community of Pitsea. I hope the sentence will begin to repair some of the damage caused."

Imelda Clancy, independent councillor for Pitsea North West, said a heightened police presence is needed to make the community feel safer.

She said: "I think something has got to be done to make the area of Pitsea a safe place.

"Pitsea has got a high rate of serious violent crimes and a bad reputation.

"We need to have more police on the streets.

"We should have moving mobile police stations on different streets, which move around to reflect what is going on in the community.

"Or Pitsea police station needs to remain open - it's the hub of the community and a place where people go when they have a problem.

"It's crazy to close police stations.

"It's the only way for this kind of crime to stop - a high police presence."

Anyone with information about nuisance behaviour or crime can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.