A state-of-the-art zoom lens has been fitted to a seafront security camera on Canvey thanks to a donation by a local businessman.

Security firm boss Dave Stephens handed over the cash to community project leaders at Canvey 2000 because he said he was so fed up with the vandalism on the seafront.

Now the camera at the junction of Eastern Esplanade and Furtherwick Road has been fitted the new lens which allows police to zoom in on trouble makers and take colour pictures.

Officers also monitor the area from two other cameras at the Monico Hotel and another on the seafront.

Mr Stephens is managing director of Direct Surveillance and paid for the original camera to go up last year. He said: "I like going down to the cinema on the seafront with my wife - but you can't even park your car without it getting smashed up.

"People have a right to be safe and to be able to go down to the seafront without being threatened. The Government doesn't have the money to finance everything so it is up to individuals to do something about this."

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