BEING 'active citizens' could help the police crack down on crime in Witham.

Roger Hirst, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has drawn up seven priorities for policing, crime prevention and community safety.

Once these have been consulted a Police and Crime Plan for Essex will come into effect in early November.

The issue was discussed at a Community Committee meeting at Witham Town Council on Monday.

The seven priorities included more local policing, crack down on anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, reversing the trend in serious violence, tackling gangs, protecting children and vulnerable people, and improving road safety.

Chairman of the county's Neighbourhood Watch Association, Clive Stewart, said the community needed to have a bigger role.

He said: "Roger Hirst needs support from everyone in the community to help to reduce the opportunity of crime.

"Yes we do need more police patrols in areas where there are concerns of any criminal activity, but these areas need to be identified by the communities and then they will be recognised by Essex Police as 'Hot Spots'.

"There is no requirement for police patrolling in areas which have no crime.

"Police are very active in stopping this activity but they need more support from the community, so let us see everyone work more effectively."

There are also a series of proposed commitments linked to each of the priorities.

The engagement process for the new Police and Crime Plan will end on October 7.

An updated plan will be taken to the Police and Crime Panel for their final comments at the end of October.

Tanya Frendo, 38, recently moved from Samphire Close to the Hatfield Estate in Witham.

She had previously had an issue, along with other residents, over noisy motorbikes.

She had called 101 after seeing children at risk from 'motorbike maniacs', who were racing through the town.

Police officers gave out section 59 warnings to two offenders, which means they can seize the bikes if they are caught doing it again.

She said: "They definitely need more officers of PCSOs as tackling anti-social behaviour has gone very downhill.

"If they don't do something about it now it will spiral out of control.

"You get a lot of teenagers hanging round bored where I live now, but there's no police to tell them to move on.

"I'm glad they are proposing to tackle it."

Chairman of Witham's Chamber of Commerce, Tina Townsend, said the plans will benefit businesses affected by crime.

She said: "With the recent spate of crime affecting local businesses if the plan can be executed it will benefit all.

"The reality is they do not have the resources or funding to achieve it at the moment.

"I hope this does not turn out to be a list of empty promises."

Read the draft Police and Crime Plan at www.essex.pcc.police.uk/police-and-crime-plan-2016