BOSSES behind a new café-style initiative hope it will help to tackle crime and improve mental wellbeing in the borough.

The Omnis Centre, which opened in Greenstead Community Centre on Thursday, ties in with a multi-agency initiative aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour in young people.

The Colchester venue will see representatives from Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, hate crime ambassadors and more available eon hand to offer advice and support.

The café-style scheme was made possible with £2,000 from Colchester Borough Homes' community fund and £8,150 from Colchester Council.

It will see the various agencies share resources to tackle hate crime, cuckooing, violent crime associated with county lines and abuse within relationships of people with learning difficulties.

Colchester Borough Homes chief executive Philip Sullivan said: "This trailblazing initiative brings together dedicated, specialist agencies that can provide a welcoming space to help tackle some of the more serious challenges vulnerable younger people and especially those with autism face.

"The new café will help bolster Project Morpheus and the parallel work it is doing to reach out to young people in the borough to steer them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.

"I'm delighted CBH is playing a leading role in this initiative."

The café will be open on Thursday evenings, but issues can be reported while the community centre is open during the daytime.

Although there is no age limit and the café will offer the same services to anyone who uses the centre, the project will focus predominantly on reaching out to vulnerable 18 to 24-year-olds and their families.

People with learning difficulties, mental health issues or autism in particular will be signposted to relevant agencies where appropriate.

Greenstead councillor Tim Young said he was pleased with the launch of the scheme.

He said: "I think it’s a great innovation for Greenstead as there's always been a need for people with special educational needs learning difficulties to meet together.

"I'm glad the community centre has made that available to meet the need because it's certainly out there.

"These are people who don't necessarily feel comfortable in an environment which is noisy, so I think this is a wonderful offer."