Council and democracy

The Motion, as printed in the Agenda was proposed by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Spillman. The Motion read as follows:

We call on Thurrock Council to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, and Essex Police to ask them to outline their strategy to reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and violent attacks in Thurrock.

Councillor Jones presented the Motion and stated that crimes continued to take place every day in Thurrock and questioned why there was no police on Thurrock streets to deal with such crimes. That residents were continuing to report these crimes, with some being threatened by anti-social behaviour in their own premises. That Thurrock was an industrial hub and should be a special case for police presence. Councillor Jones stated that the Police and Crime Commissioner and Essex Police had to urgently re-evaluate the number of police on the streets of Thurrock.

Councillor Spillman, as seconder to the Motion, supported the Motion and stated that the Police had lost control of public places and that Thurrock had to make a noise to get this changed. Councillor Spillman stated that it was only luck that the situation had not got any worse.

Councillor G Rice stated his support for the Motion and stated that it was absolutely appalling that residents did not feel safe anymore following so many cuts made by the neglect of the Conservative Government. That the administration should speak to Thurrock Members of Parliament to ensure that they raised this issue with Government that more budgets are allocated to police resources.

Councillor Kerin stated his support for the Motion as he was campaigning against anti-social behaviour and questioned whether a letter had been received back from the Police and Crime Commissioner following Councillor B Rice Motion presented at September Full Council.

Councillor Snell stated that this issue continued to come back to Full Council and questioned why crime was getting worse when the Police are supposed to be getting smarter for less. That crimes never heard of were now taking place in Thurrock and that this was not good enough and offered no protection for Thurrock residents.  That it was vital that the Police got the balance right soon.

Councillor B Rice welcomed this Motion and stated that anti-social behaviour was affecting all residents and it was a disgrace. That the Government had got it all wrong and that more police were required so that Thurrock could get back to being a civilised society.

Councillor Allen stated his support for the Motion and that the balance had to be found and more action taken before someone was seriously hurt or killed.

Councillor Gerrish stated the Police and Crime Commissioner had to acknowledge the position that additional police were required to deal with anti-social behaviour and that there was only so much the Council could do. Councillor Gerrish requested that the Police and Crime Commissioner be invited to a future Full Council.

The Mayor stated that the Police and Crime Commissioner had been invited to the 31 January 2018 Full Council.

Councillor Gledhill stated his support for the Motion and agreed that these issues should be addressed at Full Council. That Councillor Jones as chair of the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee use his powers and call a special meeting to ask more in depth questions to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Councillor Fish stated that the attitude of residents had changed and that they felt they had to just accept it. That it was not acceptable and that a cross party decision had to be made to get something done.

Councillor Redsell reiterated the comments already made and that the Police and Crime Commissioner should be held to account.

Councillor Coxshall stated he met with the Police and Crime Commissioner this week to express his concerns and the issue of funding for more Police. It was vital to get the Police and Crime Commissioner on the same side as Thurrock.

Councillor Jones stated that the Police and Crime Commissioner had attended a community group meeting in Corringham and the points addressed to him had still not be resolved and that residents had requested he returns to explained why.

Councillor Jones thanked Members for their comments and support and stated that the Motion was not an attack on the Police only that more police were required on the streets of Thurrock.

The Mayor called a vote on the Motion.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the Motion whereupon the Mayor declared the Motion carried.