Greenstead and High Street to benefit from new £1.6m antisocial fund

Essex police, fire and crime Commissioner Roger Hirst has announced £1.6million of funding for next year to help crack down on antisocial behaviour across the county.

In 2023, a total £1.1million of funding was pumped into extra police patrols who completed more than 3,000 hours in Greenstead and off Cowdray Avenue over an eight-month period.

The new funding will be used for extra high-visibility police patrols, community safety patrols, youth outreach work and crime intervention projects in 15 hotspots across the county.   

Targeted locations have now been confirmed.

Colchester High Street and the Greenstead estate will both benefit from the funding.

Area - High Street (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) Location - Greenstead (Image: Newsquest) Braintree Market Place, Clacton Pier ward, Jaywick, and locations in Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Castle Point, Epping, Harlow, Southend and Thurrock are also included.

Colchester Castle ward councillor Richard Kirkby-Taylor welcomed the announcement.

He said: “I think the fact they are including the youth outreach and early intervention projects is brilliant.

“I am on the record as stating we need prevention rather than punishment, so I am looking forward to seeing the plans they come up with for the High Street and Greenstead.

Green - Green Party leader Adrian Ramsay and Green councillor Richard Kirkby-Taylor (Image: Newsquest) “I sincerely hope it will be more than just putting more officers on the street.

“I know it is an area constantly being complained about, so I am pleased that it is being looked at.”

Greenstead ward councillor Tim Young said: “It is good news, we want high-visibility policing in Greenstead.

“The city centre will most likely be a recipient as well.

Pleased - Councillor Tim Young

“There have been odd incidents of antisocial behaviour and crime in Greenstead.

“With this funding and extra policing, residents can be reassured.

“I’ve always got on with the police, fire, and crime commissioner Roger Hirst, and he has always understood the issues in Greenstead.

“We are very pleased to receive this funding.”

All of the selected areas have been identified by data built from public reports of antisocial behaviour to Essex Police and through feedback from local residents and Community Safety Partnerships. 

Police say the latest figures across Essex show reports of antisocial behaviour  fell by 8.7 per cent in the 12 months to the end of August - 1,420 fewer offences.

Over the past two years, antisocial behaviour is down by 38 per cent in Colchester.

Mr Hirst said: “I’m very pleased to announce £1.6million is now available for a second year of targeted antisocial behaviour intervention.

“Our model uses data to identify areas of high anti-social behaviour and then target those areas with funding support and resources in the form of patrols and community intervention.

“This targeted action model works. It’s an investment in offering reassurance and building confidence in local communities, as well as providing more opportunities to identify and pursue those responsible for crime and antisocial behaviour.

“This is why we always urge people to report crime when we are on our many public engagements across the county.”