Good as gold! Youngsters in Benfleet were today praised by traders for their impeccable behaviour during the two-week Easter holidays.
It came after traders repeatedly complained of youth nuisance in the area.
Mike McKenzie, 41, manager of the Electrical Discount store, said: "The young people around here have been as good as gold.
"It has been absolutely dead where trouble is concerned.
"I have seen youngsters hanging around having a bit of a lark, but they have caused no problems. "Vandalism here seems to be getting less all the time."
Traders in the area, off London Road, have been heavily targeted in the past by vandals and yobs. But now Martin Osborne, 43, manager of the Fryery, hopes a new dawn has broken.
He said: "There has been no trouble at all throughout the last two weeks and long may it continue.
"Considering just a few months ago we had all that trouble around here, things have definitely changed."
Glenn Capper, 38, owner of beauty and hair suppliers Rollin' Stock, added: "Things do seem to be improving."
Sgt Kevin Diable-White said: "It is good to see the partnership between the council, police, traders and residents starting to bear fruit."
Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003
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