IN response to councillor Lilley’s letter (Gazette, August 9).

Fact - night marshals are out during the day. There has been no reversal of any decision. Thirty-five hours a week are spent concentrating on hotspots that are identified by police, neighbourhoods, licensing and community safety teams. This is additional to the 28 hours during the day.

PCSOs and neighbourhood teams do at least 1,000 hours a week. All working together for the safety of residents.

Fact - A dispersal order is different from a public spaces protection order. Dispersal orders are an extra initiative and are only active for 48 hours. The order was there but not used.

The blame should be laid at the people at fault, not the police or council. As usual the minority post-lockdown, making up for lost time/alcohol, drinking themselves into a stupor and unable to control themselves spoil things for everyone else.

As for things going backwards, this is not only inaccurate but totally unfair.

Fact - Through the Safer Colchester Partnership we all work together tackling county lines, exploitation, gangs and drug crime with robust enforcement, all of which councillor Lilley is fully aware. This has resulted in a fall in crime from the previous 12 months.

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Fact - There was no begging.

As soon as I was made aware of problems near North Station by the ward councillor, councillor Crow, I arranged for police patrols at irregular times and house to house. This is a total exaggeration.

Neighbourhood Watch is a valuable tool for fighting crime. The police cannot be everywhere, however much they want to.

I have encouraged all councillors to set up groups in their area.

Councillor Lilley, after all your hard work, which for me was never in doubt, you now seem content to disparage all the good work done by the police and the council. The very people you worked with.

I can only conclude that this is being done for political ends and I find this disgraceful.

Beverley Oxford

Portfolio holder for communities

Colchester Council