SCOOTER gangs have been blamed after Rochford was the only district in Essex to see a rise in antisocial behavior this summer.

Groups of teenage riders have been singled out following a 5.2 per cent jump in reports of antisocial activity.

But police said Rochford remains a safe district and many of the incidents are disputes between neighbours.

Between April 1 and September 1 there were 1,149 reports of antisocial behaviour across the Rochford district. During the same period in 2009 there were 1,092.

Residents have complained about scooter gangs racing and fighting on the industrial estate in Eldon Way, Hockley and in Hartford Close, Rayleigh, where a 19-year-old man was attacked.

Other incidents include mopeds speeding through Rayleigh High Street and at Hockley Woods, where police patrols have been sent to tackle the problem.

Carl Watson, businessman and chairman of Rayleigh Chamber of Trade, said: “I know there’s been a big problem with the moped situation.”

Inspector Andy Parkman, of Rochford police, said antisocial behaviour is recorded with 14 different categories including stray animals and neighbour disputes.

He said: “These only affect the individuals concerned rather than the community as a whole.

“Included somewhere within that mix is, I suspect, a genuine increase in antisocial behaviour.

“But it is difficult to point to one element as the major contributory factor that we can then attempt to address.”

Mr Parkman pointed to specific actions like Operation Paslow which has involved drafting in extra uniformed officers on Friday and Saturday nights to patrol problem areas.

Operation Koala dealt with mopeds in Websters Way and Rayleigh High Street, and Operation Oatmeal focused on Hockley Woods and Grove Woods.

He added: “Rochford is by no means a rowdy and lawless district. It has benefitted for a number of years now from a year-on-year reduction in reported crime.”