Police plans to deal with troublesome youths have met with mixed reaction from concerned residents.

At a meeting of police, traders and residents from the Humber Road estate, Witham, police outlined plans to get tough with a group of intimidating youngsters who meet on open land at the Spa Road shopping precinct.

They suggested a tough action policy of warnings and home visits by police officers to deal with the problem youths.

Together, police and traders worked out a plan linking up existing CCTV cameras at Spa Road stores with the police closed-circuit control centre.

Michael Jones, mayor of Witham, said: "The meeting ended on a very positive note with a plan of action worked out."

He added: "This is not just a police matter but a society matter and now we have some very positive suggestions to deal with the situation."

But the new plans have been met with a mixed reaction from residents.

Linda Green, Chairman of the Humber Road Residents' Association, said: "It's not a solution, it's moving the same problem from one place to another. I've got mixed feelings about this. It's good something is being done, but I don't think this is the answer."

She added: "If we keep moving the young people on they will only say: 'Where do you want us to go?

"We can't go to the pub we're too young.' What we need is some sort of community centre. When I was young. there were three youth clubs in Witham, now there's nothing."

Mrs Green said the Humber Road Residents' Association would continue to campaign for a safe place for youngsters to meet and talk on the estate.

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