FURIOUS residents vented their anger at police for ignoring complaints about antisocial behaviour.

Families confronted Castle Point district Inspector Chris Wood at a council meeting, where they claimed police are not responding to complaints about yobs.

They claimed troublemakers are kicking down doors, breaking windows, and attacking residents on their doorsteps, but police are not responding.

It comes after Insp Wood admitted crime figures were skewed because residents were ringing a community police mobile to report crimes, which were then not being logged.

The problem was discussed at the Canvey Island West neighbourhood meeting, where it was claimed the Avenues estate was a particular problem.

Neville Watson, chairman of the meeting, said: “I have been to First and Second Avenues and residents there are putting up with hell. I do not want it to get to the point where they have to deal with crimes themselves.”

Insp Wood spoke to residents after the meeting and said his team would look into the problems.

He said: “From our point of view, if residents are saying crime is on the rise, we need to respond to that.

“There have been quite a lot of schemes in recent years which have helped reduce crime in that area, but I have advised additional police teams should patrol that area. We always need the cooperation of local residents and these meetings provide a great opportunity for residents to speak directly to us about their concerns.”

Councillors also expressed concerns about whether there were enough police on the island to cope with demand.

Opening hours for Canvey police station are set to be reduced next year as part of police cutbacks which will see seven police stations close across Essex.

It is expected Canvey police station will only be open from noon until 6pm Monday to Saturday.

County councillor Ray Howard said: “All of us here pay a considerable amount in council tax to be protected by the police.

“I accept there have been reductions, but I have to say Essex County Council still has a huge budget of hundreds of millions of pounds.

“I go to County Hall and listen to reports saying Castle Point and Rochford are the safest areas in Essex to live, which is just not true.

“Places like Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend, get huge amounts of protection, whereas we do not.”