Residents raise community safety concerns at Wickford public meeting
Residents in Wickford raised concerns about local crime, anti-social behaviour, wildlife crime and road safety at a public meeting hosted by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
The meeting took place at Wick Community Centre, Silva Island Way, Salcott Crescent, Wickford, on Wednesday 5 August 2026, and brought together residents, councillors, police and council representatives to discuss local issues and the work being carried out to address them.
The panel included Roger Hirst, Chief Inspector Paul Hogben, Essex Police commander of Basildon district, Cllr Andrew Baggott, Basildon Council Cabinet Member for Law and Order and Enforcement, Ian Cummings, Senior Planning Enforcement Officer at Basildon Council, Julie Long, Basildon Head of Housing Improvement and Community Safety, and Lisa Hopcroft from Basildon Community Safety Partnership.
Opening the meeting, Roger Hirst thanked residents and councillors for attending and said it was important that concerns raised at previous public meetings, including a meeting in January, continued to be followed up.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: "All community safety partners have listened to the concerns raised by residents. Action has been taken, but clearly, we need to do more.
"Tonight, we heard serious concerns about anti-social behaviour, wildlife crime, e-scooters and speeding. What matters now is that those concerns are followed up by the right organisations, and that residents can see further action being taken. This situation can be fixed. We have the motivation and we will work together to fix it."
Residents raised particular concerns about wildlife crime, alleged thefts, fly-tipping, traveller site issues and anti-social behaviour. Chief Inspector Paul Hogben said police were working to identify those responsible, using additional officers, drone activity and trail cameras. Ian Cummings confirmed that he had visited a site where excavation and waste concerns had been reported, and had raised concerns with the Environment Agency and Essex County Council.
Concerns were also raised about speeding and e-scooters on Nevendon Road. Chief Inspector Paul Hogben said Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Team was active and that the Neighbourhood Policing Team could undertake further local speeding operations. Residents were also told that e-scooters are regularly seized and destroyed where appropriate.
Residents heard that a bid for £106,000 had been submitted to support further work in the area, alongside other allocated funding. Updates were also provided on increased patrols in Wickford High Street, a week of action, more targeted patrols, plain-clothes activity focusing on e-scooters and e-bikes, and funding for a drone to support work in crime hotspot areas.
The meeting also heard that CCTV had been procured and was expected to be installed in August, with existing CCTV monitoring being used more actively. Police patrols targeting drug dealing are also taking place, while new Safer Streets funding is supporting extra officers, target hardening, radios for traders and youth engagement.
Residents were encouraged to continue reporting concerns to Essex Police, Basildon Council and relevant partner agencies so that issues can be recorded, investigated and acted upon.