RESIDENTS have been assured police officers do care about tackling anti-social behaviour and have been urged to report incidents.

During a public meeting Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst and district commander for Colchester Shaun Kane were quizzed about issues including drug dealing in the Dutch Quarter, disorder after an Oktoberfest event in Castle Park and dangerous and illegal parking in New Town.

Mr Kane urged people to report incidents to the police so they could build up intelligence on particular perpetrators.

He said: “It is very difficult to have a police officer on every street corner.

“I am really sorry to hear about things which are impacting on people’s lives.

“Everyone should feel comfortable and secure in their homes.

“When there is an immediate threat of violence - if you call 999 then you will get a response.

“When the problem is a local issue - whether it be illegal parking, speeding or something else - then please email the community policing team and we can make sure it is passed onto the right agency.

“Unfortunately there is no magic wand and I cannot create a Utopia.

“But that does not mean people have an excuse to behave whichever way they want.

“When you get to the stage where think I won’t report it because nobody care then the problem perpetuates.

“We do care and we need to make sure we have got a plan in place so we can understand what we can that is reasonable and realistic to make the communities feel as safe as possible.”

Residents also criticised the amount of time it takes to speak to an operator after calling 101.

Mr Hirst admitted the service must get better and urged people to use Essex Police’s Do It Online service at essex.police.uk/do-it-online.

He said: “Do It Online is the much better way of reporting crime.

“We really want people to report things to us and this way is much better for the police and easier to process.

“The 101 system is not where we would like it to be but we have invested a lot of money in the last couple of months and it is improving.

“In an emergency, the best way to get a response is to dial 999.”

Mr Kane said he was hoping to run more Street Weeks projects in Colchester over the coming months.

The first Street Week, which saw police and other crime prevention agencies target specific wards over a seven day period, was held in Berechurch and Monkwick last month.

He said: “We want to break down barriers in terms of community engagement and leave a lasting legacy.

“It is not a gimmick - it is something which has been recommended by the Home Office.

“It is about being proactive and not reactive and listening to the people who live there.

“That way we can look at doing something about it long term.”