8:27am Monday 19th November 2007
By Gina Marden
A DOUBLE-DECKER bus is being used to curb antisocial behaviour across parts of Thurrock.
The Bar'n'Bus offers young people a place to get together, have a chat, play a PlayStation game or enjoy hot and cold drinks.
There is also a prayer room on board where youngsters can pray or talk to church volunteers about any issues bothering them.
The bus, which visits Grays, Chafford Hundred, Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham every week, is backed by Thurrock police who paid for its conversion.
Police community support officer Rob Fraser, based at Corringham, said the bus was already helping improve relations between police and young people in Thurrock.
He said: "Lots of kids around the area hang around in their different groups and tend to stick to their own areas, but on the nights the bus is up here they all come along together.
"Because they have got to know us, we have developed a good relationship with them and they talk to us. And while they are on the bus they aren't hanging around the streets."
The Bar'n'Bus is run by volunteers from four churches in Thurrock - St Margaret's, in Stanford-le-Hope, Stanford-le-Hope Methodist Church, Thurrock Christian Fellowship, in Corringham, and the Corringham Baptist Church.
Bar'n'Bus volunteer Phil Anderson, a said: "The bus provides a safe place to go where the kids have something to do and they don't have to hang around on the streets.
"It is not an intrusive environment, even though there are adults around.
"Its a trouble-free, drug-free space where kids can enjoy themselves."
The Bar'n'Bus already operates in Southend and Billericay and it is looking to extend its service to cover West Thurrock.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.echo-news.co.uk