Council tax payers in Frinton and Walton are to fork out for a major crime initiative - despite its low crime rate.

A call for cash donations has so far resulted in total pledges of just £1,700 from town and parish councils - £1,300 of it from Frinton and Walton.

Other contributors to date have been Mistley, Manningtree, Ramsey, Great Bromley and Great Bentley parishes.

Many councillors - especially in rural areas - claim what is needed is more policemen.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.