There has been a series of attacks on properties in Eld Land & St Issac's Walk recently.

They have been carried out by a small number of individuals who have been identified by police using CCTV.

Shop owners are very concerned, as we and the police are.

We are living in a different world now where years ago you would see a bobby on patrol. Their presence stopped a lot of crime just by being there.

Those days have gone, with the police numbers in the borough reduced to half what there was a few years ago, they are having to prioritise calls. It's impossible.

I spent the day recently, out with police around the town. One arrest was made so that meant a van had to come out, driven by another officer. The prisoner was driven back to the station, that’s two officers off the street from a day shift.

Another arrest was made: two more down.

You can see the problem. There are not enough of them to cope.

But they do cope with what they have and they do it without complaining, they are out there trying to do a professional job with low numbers.

People are relying on CCTV, but if a crime is seen and officers are tied up dealing with arrests made earlier how can they respond?

CCTV does not stop crime it helps to find the culprits afterwards and to be caught.

But for prevention to happen we need a designated "town team" and a designated "rural team" but we haven’t got that.

If you want that, then lobby the Government to change the policy: put police back on the streets to stop crime.

As a council we are doing everything we can to help.

Recently at a meeting of local authorities from Essex we all told the Assistant Chief Constable that you need to prioritise town centre crime, arrest shoplifters and help stop shops being smashed up and robbed often by drug fuelled habits.

We need magistrates and courts to do something positive with people reoffending.

Use the powers of the court to give them community service, backed up with treatment for their habits.

They have a part to play in the chain that needs to be broken.

The public have a part to play in this. Report every crime. It will be collated as its important that a picture is built up.

Join a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, not one in your area, then form one, to help the police.

Do not sit back and say "what’s the point?"

If you do you are letting the criminals win.

Get involved in helping your areas and help to turn the tide.

It’s a tough world at the moment but we can do our bit and help fight crime.

Please use this email address to report any intel you have about crime in your area.

colchester.communnitypolicingteam@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Mike Lilley

Labour Councillor for Old Heath, the Hythe and Rowhedge.

Councillor responsible for planning, public safety and licensing.