TROUBLEMAKERS have been driven away from a Shoebury estate.

Police say there has been a 65 per cent drop in incidents of antisocial behaviour reported on Four Rivers Estate, compared to last year.

It comes after police launched a crackdown on yobs, including the introduction of a no-booze zone to stop children drinking on the streets.

South Essex Homes, which manages properties on the estate, reported a 90.5 per cent drop in the number of calls reporting anti-social behaviour.

Between October 19 and December 19 this year it received four calls about yobs – compared to 38 in the same period last year.

Sgt Ian Hughes, who heads the Shoebury neighbourhood policing teams, said: “Reports of anti-social behaviour are low at the moment, and I want to encourage residents to speak up and let me know what issues concern them.

“Maybe there are lower-level issues out there, which you haven’t wanted to bother us with before.

“If we don’t know about it, we can’t possibly do anything about it. We will look into every issue brought to our attention, and discuss a proportionate response.”

As part of the crackdown police also launched a scheme where all off-licences around the area were given colour-coded carrier bags.

The bags meant if they stopped underage youngsters with booze, the carrier bags would help bobbies identify which off-licence sold the alcohol.

To report antisocial behaviour call the team on 07710 086590, or e-mail ian.hughes@essex.pnn. police.uk

Pensioner Carol Thipthorp said living on the Four Rivers estate was “like heaven” nowadays after a successful crackdown on yobs.

Mrs Tipthorp, 65, who lives in sheltered accommodation for the elderly in Avon Way, said before police launched Operation New World, life on the estate was a nightmare.

She said she would routinely struggle to get into her flat because of teens hanging around in the stairwell and she said residents regularly had to put up with drunken louts.

But now Mrs Tipthorp said: “It was like the Chalk Farm Riots living here before.

“Before they put a door entry system on our flats there used to be fights over which gang had control of our stairs. We couldn’t get up them because there were youths hanging about.

“You would even see men, including some adults, weeing up the windows and walls of shops in full public view.

“Now it’s 100 per cent better. It’s quiet through the estate. You get a little bit of trouble, but nothing out of the ordinary. Living here now is like heaven.”

Derek Jarvis, Tory councillor for Shoebury West, added: “At a recent meeting the residents spoke with one voice when they agreed things have improved.

“Let’s hope it continues.”