CONSERVATIVE MP James Duddridge admits he was pleasantly surprised by what he found when he joined police on patrol in Great Wakering.

Rochford and Southend East MP Mr Duddridge asked to go out with officers because he feared the merger between Southend and Rochford police divisions into a new south-eastern division, might divert officers from the villages.

He was also sceptical about the work done by police community support officers.

Great Wakering has been plagued in recent months with underage drinking, nuisance youths, criminal damage and speeding.

But a concentrated effort by the police, including stationing two officers and two PCSOs in the village, has dealt with the problems.

Neighbourhood support officer for Great Wakering, PC Steven Thomas, said: "The feedback has been to the effect there is a big difference and the hard work is appreciated.

"Mr Duddridge got to see what was going on in Great Wakering - which is not a lot.

"The kids are not running riot out there and you can't account for people's behaviour or for one-off incidents.

"There are a lot of things in place. Great Wakering is getting a good effort put in, but we haven't got a magic wand and it will take time."

After the visit, Mr Duddridge said: "It was quite enlightening. It's exciting to go out and see loads of action, but it's even nicer to see not too many problems.

"The biggest problem of the night was caused by me, when in my eagerness to meet the people we had stopped to talk to, I nearly opened the back door of the van into oncoming traffic!

"The police have put in a lot of effort and it surprised me to find officers are almost never being sent into Southend on a Friday and Saturday night from the village.

"Some of the PCSOs are doing good work, but when special constables - who are ordinary people volunteering in their spare time - have more powers than a full-time pcso, you have to ask if the Government has properly thought it through."