MORE than 40 concerned residents attended a public meeting after yobs threw stones, lit fires and dumped rubbish in Basildon’s Gloucester Park.

People living in streets surrounding the park met with councillors and Basildon Council officers to discuss how the antisocial behaviour was making their lives a misery.

Residents reported that their windows had been smashed, eggs had been thrown at their homes and wooden posts supporting trees had been deliberately taken to light a fire.

David Burton-Sampson, Labour councillor for the St Martins ward, organised the meeting after hearing a number of complaints.

He said: “We knew there were significant issues going on so we sent out a number of letters inviting people to come to a meeting.

“We weren’t promising that we would have all the solutions there and then but we wanted to get a catalogue of issues that people were experiencing.

“We are looking to get an action plan together with key stakeholders, such as council officers, Essex County Council and Essex Police, to work for improvements.

“The key issues surround antisocial behaviour.

“There’s been stuff like people hanging around the skate park smashing glasses and targeting the houses in the new development.

“Someone had their windows smashed, there’s been eggs chucked at houses and the wooden posts supporting new trees were ripped up and used to create a fire.”

Mr Burton-Sampson said the residents, although concerned and angry, showed relief that their problems were being heard.

He said: “It was good to get all the feedback, they seemed happy that we were listening to them.

“They said they though that they hadn’t been listened to in the past.

“Some of the issues were not Basildon Council issues so will hope to meet with Essex Police as well.

“We are certainly going to be battling to make sure stuff gets done.”

The problems experienced by those living in Gloucester Gate, Acacia Park and Roodegate echo the troubles occurring near Northlands Park.

The Echo reported earlier this month that a group of people living in Northlands Place complained to Roger Hirst, the police and crime commissioner, and Shaun Kane, district commander for Basildon, about antisocial behaviour and criminal damage.

The police commissioned an urgent review of all antisocial behaviour reports.

The meeting was held in the George Hurd Activity Centre, in Audley Way, Basildon, on Thursday.

Anyone with information about crime near parks can call Essex Police on 101.