A CALL for action will be made to fix “the increasing problem” of anti-social behaviour across central Colchester.

New Town and Christ Church councillor Pam Cox said she has been told about a number of confrontations involving “threatening behaviour” in the city.

Mrs Cox is calling for a review of how Colchester Council approaches tackling the issue alongside Castle councillor Steph Nissen.

The duo are set to present their case to the authority during a full council meeting on Wednesday.

Gazette: Visible - police officers have increased patrols of Colchester city centre in response to anti-social behaviourVisible - police officers have increased patrols of Colchester city centre in response to anti-social behaviour (Image: Essex Police)

“We are all aware of a perception of rising anti-social behaviour and if we are going to thrive then residents and businesses need to feel safe,” said Mrs Cox.

“We have had reports from the public about increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour and threatening behaviour in and around the city centre and other areas.”

The councillor said one resident told her they had been harassed by a group of youths while with their child.

She also reported allotment break-ins, damage to property and abuse towards staff and customers in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Gazette: Call for action - Pam Cox with PC Bennett and PC WheelerCall for action - Pam Cox with PC Bennett and PC Wheeler (Image: Newsquest)

“I don’t want to make a big deal out of it as we have got great work going on here but this is what the people on the ground are saying,” added Mrs Cox.

Among the suggestions the duo will be putting to the council is to develop and implement a new anti-social behaviour plan.

Calls to invest in youth services while bringing together adult social care and substance misuse services to map out the root causes of the issue will also be made.

Mrs Cox also said academics at the University of Essex could help identify trends in crime data.

Gazette: Patrolling - Officers in Lion Walk, ColchesterPatrolling - Officers in Lion Walk, Colchester (Image: Essex Police)

She added: “We are trying to be proactive in what we are suggesting.”

Last month, Colchester’s Community Policing Team ramped up patrols in the city in response to a spate of anti-social incidents.

At the time, Insp Stuart Austin said: “We will be continuing with proactive, preventative high visibility patrols in the city centre.

“Colchester is a peaceful and safe place and nobody who lives, works or shops here should be subject to threatening behaviour or intimidation.”