A POLICE chief has vowed to stamp out antisocial behaviour and crime as part of a week-long crackdown in parks.

Insp Shaun Kane will launch ‘street week’ in Northlands Park, Pitsea, on Monday following reports of youths shouting abuse at residents and pelting houses with stones and eggs.

During a public meeting with police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst, people living around the park told how their lives were being made a misery.

Mr Kane, district commander for Basildon, said the week-long crackdowns will change location - with Gloucester Park and Markhams Chase next in line.

He said: “Listening to our communities and public concerns, this initiative is designed to tackle those communities suffering from repetitive nuisance, discomfort and crime.

“Our engagement will be sustained, highly visible and focused over the dedicated week chosen.

“Deployments will be coordinated daily by Insp Al Burridge, from the community policing team, covering each 24 hour period, and will involve all available from our wider policing family.

“Leaflets will be dropped through doors by the volunteer police cadets and the operational support group can carry out overnight patrols.

“Street pastors will also be on hand to help people.

“We are engaging with the community directly which hopefully will increase confidence in reporting crime to us.”

He added that officers will also meet with Basildon Council to discuss whether lighting, access and security needs improving at troublesome areas.

Imelda Clancy, councillor for Pitsea North West, said the initiative was a step in the right direction.

She said: “I am very pleased, although this is the first I have heard of it.

“But is a week long enough? No, I don’t think it is.

“What I would like is no set time or date.

“When the police are in the area dealing with something else, they should have a sweep of the area so the criminals never know when the police are going to turn up.

“It’s certainly a step in the right direction but I think it needs to be continuous.

“At least Insp Kane is doing the right thing and I commend him for that.”

The Echo told earlier this week how Gloucester Park was also being targeted by yobs, with windows of surrounding homes smashed and wooden posts supporting trees being taken to start fires.

More than 40 concerned residents packed a meeting with councillors.

Anyone with information can call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.