A DROP in the rate of anti-social behaviour may be because residents have given up reporting it, according to the leader of Thurrock Council.

Councillor Rob Gledhill told members of the council’s cabinet on Tuesday night that in the past 12 months there has been an 8.5 per cent drop in reports of anti-social behaviour.

But he admitted that the reduction could be linked to residents no longer bothering to report it.

He said: “I am sure our anti-social behaviour team officers carrying out high visibility patrols and expanding the boroughs CCTV scheme to 30 locations played a significant role in not only helping Essex police secure an injunction against 11 members of the local crime gang but also the reduction in reports.

"However, when I hear residents say they don’t report things to police because it takes too long to get through or that someone else will report it, I can only take partial comfort in these figures.

“I would again ask all residents - if you experience anti-social behaviour or if you see it happen, report it.

“The police can only work with information they receive, the more calls made to 101 the more reports made online or the more calls are made anonymously if you are worried about your safety, helps give a more accurate view of the situation and helps the council put resources where they are needed.”

Despite the fall in anti-social behaviour, crime numbers overall have grown in Thurrock with Essex Police data showing that the number of offences recorded up to November last year was 15,782 – a 10 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The biggest rise was in crimes labelled “violence against the person”, which shot up by 36 per cent since 2017 to 4,961 offenses. This includes stalking and harassment cases, which nearly doubled from 783 in 2017 to 1,523 in 2018.

Meanwhile, the total number of crimes solved has decreased by almost four per cent.