 The Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling MP visited Castle Point today to talk with local police and residents about their experience of tackling anti-social behaviour in the Borough.
The senior Shadow Cabinet member walked the beat around the Avenues on Canvey Island and called in at the Canvey Youth Project with Chief Inspector Keith Davies and Conservative Candidate Rebecca Harris.
During the tour Chief Inspector Davies also pointed out one of several lorries in the process of removing dumped rubbish from the area and explained how tackling fly-tipping by thoughtless individuals was another important part of addressing anti-social crime.
Afterward Chris Grayling commented that:
"Antisocial behaviour is Britain's biggest Law and Order challenge.. It affects communities up and down the Country."
"The police are clearly working hard here to try to tackle the problem along with other groups, but I do think we need to be able to take more immediate action when someone commits an offence for the first time, so they know that they won't just get away with it."
"I was also impressed by the way Rebecca Harris, our candidate has clearly built a deep knowledge of the issues in the area."
After the event Rebecca Harris, who had invited the Shadow Home Secretary, said: "I'm grateful to Chris for taking time to visit Castle Point, it is important that Senior politicians see the issues across the Country.. Castle Point may be a relatively low-crime area, but every crime is one too many and anti-social behaviour blights people's lives."
"Our police are actually really trying to get to grips with the problem but it is difficult for them if victims feel reluctant to come forward, perhaps because they fear they won't be backed up by the Courts."
"I was also pleased to be able to give Chris an idea of the remarkable work the Canvey Youth Project do, not just on the Island but across the Borough." | 
