Police are to impose 9pm curfews on youths as part of trail-blazing new measures to crack down on youth crime.
Tough - Inspector Basil Thornton, of Rayleigh police Picture: ANNA LUKALA
Canvey is one of the first areas in the country to adopt radical powers which also allow police to disperse groups of two or more people gathering in problem areas.
The initiative could eventually be extended to other areas of the Rayleigh division including Hockley and Rochford.
Rayleigh division operations manager Chief Insp Tony Rayner said an increased police presence had caused a dramatic drop in reported incidents of criminal damage and only a "hard core" of youths was left.
He said: "These powers have been introduced after listening to the concerns of the local community and are a very useful tool in our armoury, enabling us to get among the remaining hardcore of vandals and force them to disperse.
"We believe the powers will greatly assist us in reducing crime and restoring the quality of life in the community."
Published Thursday April 8, 2004
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