JUST months after patrolling the mean streets of Afghanistan, members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) are patrolling Colchester town centre.

They have teamed up with Essex Police as part of Operation Christmas Cracker to act as a deterrent to Christmas-time crime.

Four RMP officers were out on patrol yesterday keeping an eye on Christmas shoppers.

Corporal Gavin Baker said: “It’s all part of co-operation between us and Essex Police.

“This time of year there are a lot more people in the town centre and we always see an increase in the number of thefts and pickpockets.”

Just back from a six-month tour in Afghanistan, Cpl Baker was keen to get back to his regular duties.

He said: “The work I was doing in Afghanistan was just basic policing because I was based at Camp Bastion.

“We did get to go on patrols a few times and it was a lot like what we do here."