‘Area is unsafe for our children to play outside’

5:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

By Christine Sexton

NEIGHBOURS who have been tormented by antisocial behaviour for more than two years say they have been abandoned by council and police.

People living on the Four Rivers Estate, in Shoebury, say they have to endure drug dealing, loud music and graffiti on a regular basis.

The estate, between Ness Road and West Road, is now too dangerous for children to be allowed out to play according to those who are trying to raise families there.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “We have drug dealers and drunks. People have parties until 6am at the weekends and there is graffiti everywhere.

“The council won’t do anything and the police seem to have better things to do. We are starting to feel abandoned.

“People are getting very angry. We’ve been to meetings arranged by the council and we have tried to give them the names of the culprits, but they just tell us we can’t give them names. They seem to be more interested in protecting all the Herberts than the residents.”

The 38-year-old resident added: “I can’t let my children out to play any more. We seem to have had our rights taken away from us and these people are allowed to do what they want. No one seems to have any power over them.”

Essex Police say they have been working with housing association South Essex Homes and the council in order to tackle the problem estate and are introducing measures such as no alcohol zones and targeting off licences who sell to underage drinkers.

Insp Jeff Appleby, who oversees policing in the Shoebury area, said: “Our research showed the majority of antisocial behaviour issues in this area could be attributed to street drinking so this is where we have focused our efforts.

“This area is one of our top priorities so I am disappointed to hear one of the residents isn’t happy with the action we’ve been taking.

“By contrast, I’ve received very positive feedback from some residents who have noticed the increased police presence and the consequent reduction in nuisance behaviour.”

Anita McGinley, coordinates the council and police response to antisocial behaviour. She said: “We are in the process of dealing with immediate issues, but we are also dealing with the wider community concerns.

“If any resident has any concerns about an individual in this neighbourhood, we advise them to notify the neighbourhood specialist officers in Shoebury on 07710 086590 or South Essex Homes on 0800 833163.”