RESIDENTS are being asked what community issues are important to them ahead of a week of intensive action.

Colchester' Community Safety Partnership is set to hold the third edition of their Street Weeks project next month, this time in the Highwoods area.

Led by a team of Colchester PSCOs, the initiative is a dedicated week of action in a small area tackling issues important to the community such as disrupting criminal activity, dealing with anti-social behaviour, managing inconsiderate parking or address complaints about littering.

Officers have been in the ward this week talking to residents including at the Hythe Tesco supermarket and outside the two primary schools to get an idea about the major issues.

PSCO Sarah Hardy is leading the initiative.

She said: To be able to address any problems which are causing residents concern, we need to know what these are.

“We used this opportunity to speak with residents and gather information about any community issues they felt were significant.

"We will now work with colleagues from the Community Safety Partnership to try and resolve these matters.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible and would like to encourage members of the public to complete our survey so we can get a better understanding of what you consider to be issues within your community, so that we can take action.”

The edition of Street Weeks will begin on Monday, June 4.

Amongst the agencies involved in the action will be North Essex Parking Partnership, the Neighbourhood and Dog Watch team, Community 360, Guinness Housing Association, Colchester Borough Homes, Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Services, the DVLA, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Crimestoppers and One Support.

They will be joined by Essex Police active citizens, the force's licensing team, special constables and the roads policing unit.