NEW Tory MP Richard Holden has promised a crackdown on terrifying knifepoint robberies, crime and antisocial behaviour plaguing residents in a Basildon park.

MP for Basildon and Billericay, Richard Holden, met with Essex Police last week and raised residents concerns over Gloucester Park becoming a magnet for crime, including yobs on bikes terrorising families during the summer holidays.

Following the meeting, Mr Holden promised constituents on social media that he was working with police to tackle the issue and the force will step up patrols in response.

At the start of the month, the Echo spoke to a mum who claimed her daughter and friends had been confronted by “masked yobs armed with knives” in the park who forced them to open their bags so they could rifle through them. Residents have also taken to Facebook to complain about yobs on motorbikes wreaking havoc in the park.

Mr Holden said: “Gloucester Park should be a haven for families across Basildon, especially during the summer months.

“Sadly, crime and especially anti-social behaviour are too prevalent in and around the park, which drives residents round the bend.

“I have been assured that the police and council are working closely together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and look forward to the strongest possible action being taken to ensure that Gloucester Park is somewhere that all families can enjoy, especially over the school holidays.”

Mr Holden additionally praised Essex Police for coming back to him quickly when bringing the concerns of residents to them.

During the meeting, Mr Holden spoke to Det Chief Insp Daniel McHugh about Essex Police’s work to tackle crime in Basildon.

He added: “Interesting to hear about some of the work out local officers are doing, particularly their recent targeting of burglaries and car thefts as well as the successes and challenges they have more generally. I’ll be visiting officers involved in some of the neighbourhood work in the coming weeks.

“I also look forward to meetings with the Chief Constable in the coming months and to hear more from our excellent Essex police, fire and crime commissioner, Roger Hirst as we tackle issues across Basildon and Billericay and continue to increase officer numbers across Essex.”