Stephen Metcalfe Welcomes William Hague's Support in Basildon

Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock and William Hague MP, senior member of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet yesterday visited the South Anglia Housing and Essex Police Neighbourhood Office in Pitseaville Grove.

Both William and Stephen heard first hand how the partnership between the Housing Association and the Police was working and the benefits it has brought for the local community.

They toured the offices, chatted with staff about the new arrangements, met with local Police Officers and also heard about the recent successes with operation Leopard.

Operation Leopard saw Police target youths and known offenders responsible for anti-social behaviour. Those identified were warned that their actions would not be tolerated the Police then photographed them and their associates as they wandered around an estate for the next few days.

The results were spectacular! Crime across the whole area fell to almost nothing and whilst there has been a small increase since the operation finished, now that funding has been secured the operation can continue for at least another year.

William Hague was impressed with the results and said that he would certainly be talking to his shadow cabinet colleagues about the successes here in Basildon and would encourage David Davis, Shadow Home Secretary, to look closely at the Partnership, the operation and its results.

Stephen Metcalfe said: “I have been immensely impressed by the success of Operation Leopard. As is often the case, it is simplest ideas that are the best, such as the idea of coming out of the police station, targeting persistent offenders and photographing them. Their activities seem to have paid real dividends and has made a real difference to the lives of the 2,500 local residents who have been affected by the actions of a small minority.”

He continued: “I know that there are a number of other Police Forces who are looking at the results here in Basildon and want to try similar operations in their own areas. I would recommend it to them and would like to see this kind of Policing adopted not only across the whole of Basildon and Thurrock, but also seen as best practice across the whole country."