News

National Emergency Alert test: Sunday 7 September

27 August 2025

The UK Government will be carrying out a national test of the Emergency Alerts system at 3pm on Sunday 7 September.

All compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and tablets will receive the test alert. Devices will:

Statement on community cohesion and the former Tilbury Police Station

22 August 2025

Following local rumours, which have been created and spread on social media and websites, we want to be clear that Tilbury Police Station is not being used as housing for people seeking asylum in this country. Local councillors have provided updates to help counter the disinformation being spread online.

Untrue rumours like this can, as we have seen in other parts of the country, lead to unrest and violence that the local community can be swept up in. In the worst cases it has led to people being hurt, and others being arrested, charged and then given lengthy prison sentences.

Thurrock students celebrate GCSE success

22 August 2025

Students across Thurrock are celebrating after receiving their GCSE results, marking a major milestone in their education journey. 

To celebrate the occasion, Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Community Safety, visited Harris Academy in Chafford Hundred and Mossbourne Fobbing Academy in Standford-le-Hope to congratulate students and staff in person. 

A statement from the Big Lunch organisers on the cancelled East Tilbury Big Lunch

22 August 2025

It is with great regret that we have come to the difficult decision that the East Tilbury Big Lunch, which was cancelled due to a regional weather warning, will not be rescheduled this year.

The Big Lunch organisers have carefully explored alternative dates, but unfortunately it has not been possible to rearrange the event due to performer and stall holders’ commitments throughout the rest of the summer holidays and existing staff commitments. As you can understand, safety must be our main priority, and we would never wish to compromise that.

Thameside Theatre booking shows until March 2027

22 August 2025

The Thameside Theatre will remain a haven for arts, culture entertainment and music in the borough until at least the end March 2027.

Bookings for performances have been extended for another 19 months, which will help attract top talent and mean that pantomimes will take place this Christmas, and the next.

Cllr John Kent, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Art, Culture and Heritage, said: “I am delighted to be able to say that the Thameside Theatre is now able to plan ahead and book shows until the end of March 2027.

Making it easier for residents to manage their adult social care accounts

20 August 2025

A new Direct Debit payment system introduced by Thurrock Council offers a stress-free way to pay for Adult Social Care that will help service users make sure their accounts are always up to date.

Previously those that paid for adult social care could only use unwieldy standing orders or had to remember to make regular payments from their bank accounts. This could mean that accounts could fall into arrears, or they might end up overpaying by accident.

The new system will see payments taken for the exact amount owed on a schedule agreed beforehand.

Borough’s A-Level students are top of the class with better results across the board

19 August 2025

Thurrock’s hard-working students have scored across-the-board higher A-Level results than last year with over 99% getting at least one pass and nearly 60% getting either an A or B grade in at least one subject.

An assessment of the borough’s A-Level results has revealed that marks are up in every category and the borough’s hardworking students and teachers beat the national average for the number of pupils passing at least one exam.

Overall:

Sign-up for Thurrock News – our monthly email newsletter.

Media Enquiries

Journalists and media professionals can make enquiries from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 01375 652 017 or at communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk.

For emergency media enquiries outside of these times, phone 07912 782 470.

The Communications team email inbox is not monitored outside of office hours, so email media enquiries received out-of-hours may not be answered until the next working weekday.

We advise our staff, when approached directly by a member of the media, not to answer questions themselves but to refer you to the Communications team who will provide our response.

We do not normally comment on individual cases or enquiries relating to council staff.