CRIMINALS are being driven out of Thurrock - with offences down 6.5 per cent in the last year.

There were 11,752 crimes reported in the district between October 2009 and September 2010.

Chief Supt Glenn Caton, divisional commander for South Western division, said: “Most significantly, all crime across both Basildon and Thurrock is continuing to reduce, which in real terms, means there were over 1,400 less residents in Basildon and Thurrock that were a victim of crime.”

The biggest success in Thurrock was an 18 per cent reduction in criminal damage.

But Mr Caton was particularly pleased about a reduction in vehicle crime around Lakeside shopping centre.

He said: “With one of the most busiest retail attractions in Essex, and all the visitors that brings to Thurrock, we have been successful in reducing vehicle crime, which shows the proactive policing we carry out around these areas is working.”

Looking to the future, reducing burglaries will be one of the top priorities for Thurrock police.

Mr Caton said: “I want to reassure our residents that we will never remain complacent in the fight against the burglar, and we have been and will continue to target those we believe are committing such crimes until they are deservedly brought to justice.

“And this is where I appeal directly to residents to help police - community intelligence is vital to help our effort to continue to reduce and prevent crime, so if you know who is committing crime, please have the courage to come forward and share this information with us.

"We can then effectively target those who flout the law and cause the most harm to our communities.”