A RISE in antisocial behaviour on Canvey is being effectively managed, police have claimed.

Chief Insp Glen Westley, district commander for Castle Point, has responded to the Echo’s report last week how 340 crimes were reported on the island in November, of which, 118 reported crimes related to antisocial behaviour.

The figures, the latest that are available, showed an increase in the number of reported antisocial incidents compared to last year.

But Essex Police have pointed towards ongoing issues with youths on the island, particularly around Halloween and Bonfire night as an explanation for the rise, which they state equated to around seven more incidents per month than last year.

Chief Insp Glen Westley has insisted the force would continue to use enforcement powers, including dispersal orders to battle the rise in crime.

He also pointed towards a 22 per cent reduction in burglaries and a 17 per cent reduction in robberies, to show that although antisocial behaviour has increased, other forms of crime, usually considered to be more serious. have drastically reduced.

Chief Insp Westley said: “We are working to tackle a small increase in anti-social behaviour in Canvey that equates to around seven more incidents per month than last year.

“We’re pleased people are reporting these incidents as it means we have a really clear picture of causes.

“We have been and will continue to use enforcement powers like the dispersal orders we used to reduce incidents around Halloween and Bonfire Night, as well as engaging with communities to increase vigilance.

“In terms of wider crime we’re really pleased that we’ve seen a 22 per cent reduction in burglaries and a 17 per cent reduction in robberies across Castle Point compared to last year - that’s nearly 100 fewer crimes.”

Essex Police have began to crack down on anti-social behaviour by identifying a number of youths causing problems and visited them to address their behaviour. Banning notices were put in place, while drugs were found on a 15-year-old youth found loitering at the rear of Waterside Farm during targeted patrols.