SPECIFIC patrols and targeting persistent young offenders are helping tackle antisocial behaviour in Rochford.

Rayleigh MP Mark Francois met Rochford District Police Commander, Chief Insp John Walker, to talk about what is being done to combat disorder.

Mr Francois was briefed on the development of neighbourhood policing, including earmarking specific police officers and PCSOs to cover designated parts of the district on a regular basis.

There are also ways to target persistent young offenders in Hockley, Hullbridge and Rayleigh.

Mr Walker said: "A very small minority of people commit the majority of offences so we are concentrating more attention on identifying these people.

"When they come to our attention we engage with them by speaking to parents and schools to let them know what they are doing is wrong.

"We have early intervention programmes and acceptable behaviour contracts to help them change their ways while they are on the fringe of committing further offences.

"We have issued about 12 acceptable behaviour contracts in Rochford and are getting really good results from it."

Mr Francois added: "We had a very positive meeting, which included me being briefed on a new experiment to crack down on youth crime in Hullbridge.

"I have also agreed to go out on a night patrol locally in the near future to see things happening for myself."