Youths causing trouble around Gibraltar House in Warley are to be targeted by a new £3,000 extension to its CCTV system.

The move follows concern by residents and police over an increase in crime and disorder around Gibraltar House and The Keys on the Essex Way estate.

PC Ashley Stearn, Warley's community police officer, says youths have been causing more problems - mainly public order offences and damage - in the area for the past seven or eight weeks.

Members of the Gibraltar House Residents' Association had met Brentwood Borough Council officers, and last week the council's community services committee agreed to the CCTV extension.

New cameras will now be installed in the lifts and car park area of the 52 home multi-storey block, and linked to the existing system.

The main entrance area, lift lobby and areas next to the entrance have been covered by CCTV for the last seven years.

"Residents are keen to stamp out this kind of anti-social behaviour and these new CCTV cameras will go a long way towards that," said Warley councillor Michael Taylor.

Excuses

"The whole area will be pretty well covered with CCTV. But clearly we need more provision for youths in the area.

"I'm not making excuses, because there is no excuse for this anti-social behaviour and there is no reason for these people to go out and cause these problems.

"We need to get people in there to pick these kids up and channel their energy in more useful ways, for example sport or other creative activities."

Cllr Taylor, who teaches children who have been excluded from school, added: "There is no reason for them to be bored.

"If they actually look around they can find things to stimulate them and get involved in, things that are creative rather than destructive.

"But I'm not convinced that we are actually getting the level of youth support that is needed."

Anyone with any information, or who has suffered any problems in the area, should contact PC Stearn at Brentwood Police station on 01277 262212.

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