FURIOUS residents are demanding CCTV is put around a lake to deter thugs from attacking wildlife and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

The petition, which has been signed by 240 signatures, was created in response to reports of several incidents where “wildlife was attacked” and animals were shot with sling-shots at Canvey Lake.

It will be debated on Wednesday at the inaugural Canvey lake liaison committee meeting, which will be chaired by the mayor of Castle Point, Lynsey McCarthy-Calvert and attended by residents and councillors.

Sean Quartermaine, 28, of Hawkesbury Road, Canvey, said: “Canvey Lake has been a long-standing hotspot for anti-social behaviour. Everyone growing up on Canvey knew to avoid it when it was late in the evening.

“I started this petition after an incident recently where some people decided to kill and injure several geese on the lake.

“Having CCTV would be useful both as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and crime, as well as help the police by giving them evidence,” Sean said.

An incident in Canvey Lake in October saw four geese shot with ball bearing catapults. Friends of Canvey Lake rushed another two birds to the vets at their own expense.

Chairman of Friends of Canvey Lake, Alan Tibbit, said: “Twenty kids with catapults killed geese, we want CCTV, but we can’t fund it.

“We had a stabbing and they tried to rob a boy. If we had CCTV, we may not have caught them, but it is a deterrent and if they had installed four, they may have thought to stay away.

“In 2008 there was a lake survey to stop anti-social behaviour. It was decided to put CCTV cameras at the lake, and this hasn’t been done.

“On behalf of the Friends of Canvey Lake we want it to be back like it was in 2010. It was a clean and happy lake, and we had people fishing, having picnics, and walking dogs. There were no problems and since it has deteriorated. We want CCTV to protect it from anti-social behaviour.”

Castle Point council leader Dave Blackwell said: “The big issue with CCTV is people’s gardens back onto the lake and there are strict laws when it comes to private space, but we are doing a complete survey on our CCTV cameras and we are working with Southend Council to increase it in hotspots.”