A network of "gatekeepers" has been set up to gather information about crime and disorder in Colchester.

The volunteers, who include councillors, council officers, police officers and other members of the community, will fill in forms about persistent trouble in their area.

Then that information will be sent to the Colchester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership's problem-solving group, which will decide how to stop the trouble.

The gatekeepers system is part of a project called United Solutions (US), which was launched yesterday at the town hall.

In the next few months, a Home Office-funded member of staff will be recruited to start a database of the information gathered through the scheme.

Paul Johnson, Colchester police community safety sergeant, explained the scheme to guests at the launch.

He said: "We don't want a talking shop. This is about doing something.

"All the people here have been invited because you can have a part to play in making a difference and doing something."

Sgt Johnson explained that the idea of US was to stop police officers having to return to the same house or road to deal with the same problem time and time again.

Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette