EXTRA police resources are being assigned to Canvey after two men were shot in the head and neck.

High-visibility and covert patrols are being carried out to tackle problem hotspots on the island and to offer reassurance to residents.

It comes as victims William Tatham and Reece Johnson, who were shot multiple times in an early morning attack on Saturday, August 6, were discharged from hospital.

As well as officers from the Castle Point community policing team, who are already dedicated to the area, up to 12 officers from the Operational Support Group have been drafted in to offer more of a visual police presence.

A pop-up mobile police station will also be stationed in various streets on the island to tackle problem areas and areas police have an interest in due to operational reasons.

PC Ian Risden, from the community policing team, said: “Canvey Island is very much a unique location with a community feel, where it doesn’t take long for word of mouth to get around, whether the news is positive or negative.

“We are aware of the public perception of concern after the incident and as a result, the team of senior officers has decided that we will go back and show a police presence on the island until we are happy that we have done what we need to do.

“For the last two weeks, we have had directed patrols in areas that are of interest to us and we have also been patrolling the wider area in a combination of marked and unmarked vehicles.

“We have also been supported by the Operational Support Group, based in Boreham, who have been down every day, carrying out patrols.”

Mr Risden added that the mobile police station, which is manned by police community support officers and PCSOs, had drawn a large amount of interest so far.

He said: “We zone in on particular areas to get community support and engagement and people can also have a private chat with the police.

“People aren’t used to seeing it so it has generated a lot of interest.

“We have secured it for Canvey for the time being.

“I don’t know what the future is for policing on Canvey.”

Callum Hutchins, 20, of Mornington Road, Canvey, was charged with attempting to murder Mr Tatham and Mr Johnson and appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.

He was remanded in custody to appear at a crown court, either in Southend or Basildon, on Monday, September 12.

Chief Insp Glen Westley, district commander for Castle Point, has continued to urge islanders to come forward with any information relating to the shooting.

As well as the double shooting in Somnes Avenue, other incidents of violence have caused councillors Dave Blackwell and Ray Howard to organise a meeting with police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst.

Four days before the shooting, two men, one armed with a knife, stormed into a Canvey home demanding cash.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously.