Police officers have joined forces with Castle Point Council in a bid to calm the public's fear of crime.

Insp Ian Kennedy, of Rayleigh police, is behind plans to set up a community safety exhibition to show how crime in the borough is tackled.

The display will include information about voluntary organisations involved in crime prevention and Crimestoppers.

The council's director of health and housing, Alan Longford, said: "The details still need to be sorted out but the exhibition itself is an excellent idea.

"The aim is to calm people's fear of crime. There are a lot of organisations out there who work with crime prevention and the victims of crime and we want ot publicise their work.

"However, we must not forget that Essex is still one of the safest counties in the country and the Rayleigh division is one of the safest areas in Essex."

Mr Longford added: "As the council we must engage with the public on a one-to-one basis and attempt to get close to the people and find out what they want.

"This exhibition is one way of showing people action is being taken against crime."

At the exhibition visitors will be able to talk with police, the youth service, the drug reference group and members of the local authority to find out ways in which crime is tackled in the borough.

Chairman of the community safety sub-committee Alf Goldsworthy (Labour, Appleton) said: "It is an excellent idea.

"I am sure the mayor will look on it kindly."

The exhibition is planned for the end of May and the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley, have been suggested as the venue.

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