A NEW crack team will clamp down on owners not picking up their dog’s mess, yobs killing wildlife and a rise in antisocial behaviour - which has got worse during lockdown.

Councillor Kevin Blake believes bad behaviour needs to be stamped out as it has increased since the Covid pandemic began.

The new group, chaired by Mr Blake, will focus on hotspots of poor behaviour across the town.

Yobs using catapults to kill wildlife or damage homes in Wickford is at the top of the agenda, alongside dog fouling.

Fed up council bosses say dog mess is “everywhere you go” on Basildon’s paths and pavements.

The independent councillor of the Burstead ward said: “With Government legislation, it’s hard to issue fines straightaway.

“It takes multiple offences before they can be issued.

“People are getting away with what they’re doing, and that’s unfair on those who are playing by the rules. It’s unacceptable what’s been going on.

“Broken glass has been left on paths alongside the dog mess. It’s not being picked up by people, it’s not good enough.”

Some homeowners have seen bags of dog mess dumped in their gardens.

In Wickford, a group of teenagers have caused havoc for months on end, with wildlife shot at and killed by catapults.

Homes were also shot at in a game of “knock down ginger” in recent weeks. In the Wick Country Park earlier this year, a goose was swung around by its neck and left to die in a bush.

Kerry Smith, deputy leader of the council, hopes the team can “come up with some new ideas.” He added: “If we’re able to be visible in fining those responsible, that would be the ideal way to solve what’s been going on.

“Unfortunately to do that we would need more enforcement officers on the street. That comes with needing more funding, and sometimes that isn’t always available.

“That’s why this new group has been set up, to generate ideas from across the borough that haven’t been considered before.”

The group will have their first meeting next week.