Nuisance caused by young people in North Weald and Shelley, near Ongar, has been targeted by police in a new bid to cut disturbances.

It has been one of the main issues tackled along with criminal damage and non-dwelling burglaries.

The initiative will be outlined by divisional commander Superintendent Andrew Drane to a meeting of the police-community consultative group next week.

The meeting follows publication of Crime Audit for the area which includes Ongar and North Weald.

In it, youth unemployment is acknowledged as a factor in crime. The Epping Forest rate of 2.7 per cent is lower than the Essex average of 3.6 per cent but Shelley is fifth in the "top five" electoral wards where most youngsters under 24 are jobless.

The audit also mentions the problem of truancy. Many Ongar and North Weald youngsters attend St John's School in Epping where in 1997-98 there were 1,168 unauthorised absences.

Supt Drane's report draws attention to a drop in burglaries from churches in the area following last autumn's security seminar attended by more than 80 people.

A seasonal watch on traders selling Christmas trees and butchers and farms selling turkeys was also successful.

And an operation aimed at North Weald market traders was "a resounding success," says Supt Drane.

On the roads casualties were four per cent up in Ongar which was against the trend for the rest of the district.

But this was distorted by bad figures for September and October.

Police have also published a number of targets for areas such as young offenders, crime and disorder and detection. These aim to improve performance and cut offences.

The Harlow division covers 190,000 people in Epping Forest, Brentwood and Harlow. It has 265 officers, 90 support staff and the Special Constabulary and from April 1, 2000 will also include the area currently policed by the Metropolitan Police.

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