A BUDDING film-maker wants to quiz Essex’s police and crime commissioner after a spate of crime on Canvey.

Joe Mander, 18, is spearheading the campaign to demand answers after a recent crime spree, which has seen a number of businesses and homes broken into and cars stolen.

He is being backed by the Canvey Island Then and Now Facebook group, which boasts more then 12,000 members.

Mr Mander, an apprentice filmmaker of Gainsborough Drive, Canvey, plans to make a film to showMr Alston showing people’s concerns, before interviewing him.

The teenager said: “Luckily, I haven’t been burgled or robbed, but every day there seems to be a different crime happening overnight and local businesses are really suffering.

“We need to support local businesses on the island and it seems they’re the ones being targeted.”

Mr Mander added: “I don’t particularly think it’s the police’s fault, instead cuts are getting in the way.

“I do support the police and their work 100 per cent.

“I want to speak to NickAlston to see what is being done to tackle crime and what the police think of this, how they are going to get crime down.

“I’ve been told Nick Alston doesn’t grant personal interviews but will speak to larger organisations, so we have a petition on Canvey Then and Now to show how much this is of concern.

“People are concerned about this amount of crime and I don’t know if because of social media we are now much more aware of it.

“With the streetlights, we don’t know how much they would help reduce crime but for people feeling safe, I think it would be better for the lights to be switched back on.

“It would be a big help to make people feel safe.”

POLICE are investigating crimes on Canvey and are concerned about the level of overnight crime.

When asked about the number of commercial burglaries taking place on the island, Insp Fergus Caulfield said: “We are concerned about this level of overnight crime and the effects it can have on businesses, particularly small businesses.

“Even though the value of items and money stolen may not seem considerable in some cases, it does take time to repair the premises, there is potentially lost trading and the cost of repairs can cost hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.

“Local officers are aware of these issues and will be actively patrolling these areas when possible.”

Residents are asked to report any information to police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

If a crime is taking place, they should call 999.

IN THE last month businesses have been burgled, tyres slashed and a resident has been mugged on Canvey.

A man was mugged as he made his way with a box full of cash to Natwest, in Canvey High Street, on Wednesday.

Thieves raided the Blue Cafe, in Canvey High Street, on May 26, stealing £800 of food and drink with three boys aged 14 and 15, from Basildon, later being arrested and bailed.

Vandals smashed down the door of Fortuna Stores in Maurice Road and thieves broke into Shapes and Curls hairdressers stealing a Vauxhall Astra from outside the shop on the same night.

On Friday, May 15, Exclusive Fabrics, in Canvey Road, was burgled for the second time in twoweeks and two takeaways in Long Road were also broken into.

Boy racers returned to the island on May 16 and a fire was deliberately set outside a mum-of- six’s house in Mornington Road on May 12.

Days earlier tyres were slashed on cars in First Avenue and Second Avenue and five homes were broken into on May 4 in Ferrymead, Central Avenue and Brindles.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Overall crime levels have increased slightly in Canvey Island, 1731 crimes occurring in in the year from April 2014 to March 2015 compared with 1688 crimes during the same period in 2013-14. "There has been a welcome decrease in the number of house burglaries, vehicle crimes and robberies. There were 140 house burglaries, 115 vehicle crimes and 20 robberies from April 2014 to March 2015 compared with 172 house burglaries, 199 vehicle crimes and 30 robberies during the same period in 2013-14.

“I held lively, constructive and very well attended meetings in Canvey in both 2013 and 2014, with the Essex Police District Commander and other key local officers present. Our next public meeting in Castle Point is scheduled for November 18 this year, but local residents are most welcome to contact me at any time about their concerns.”

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