A COMMUNITY is tackling anti-social behaviour after a resident was punched and left bruised.

Residents in Wulvesford are petitioning to get a CCTV camera installed, as they said teenagers have been causing trouble.

Lydia Zhao, who runs New Eastern Chinese in Wulvesford, was assaulted by a woman last month.

Her husband and nephew were also punched by a boy in a group of about 20 people.

Her neighbour appealed to Witham Town Council to see if the issue could be raised with police.

Policing was discussed at the Town Council's Community Committee meeting on Monday.

Mrs Zhao said: "The group is in this area all the time.

"We have called the police many times, I feel so scared and it is a sad memory for me.

"It was a bad day, I have been working hard here for 15 years but at the moment I really want to leave this area.

"They swear at me all the time- they punched my arm, head and back and so I lost a little memory."

It happened on August 13 at about 5pm.

A petition has since been set up by neighbours and now has 68 signatures.

It read: "We have all been affected in some way with the anti-social behaviour that has seemed to take a grip on our estate in recent times.

"Whilst we understand that not all youths are causing a problem to others there is indeed some that are."

It called for the police and council to work on a strategy with residents to tackle anti-social behaviour.

An email which was sent to the council said: "As residents we are extremely concerned about anti-social behaviour that has become a daily occurrence outside the shops at Wulvesford.

"A couple of weeks ago the lady who has asked for my help was attacked in her Chinese shop by some members that are known to hang about here.

"This is not the first time she has suffered abuse from youths- they often ask her for free food and shout abuse at her while she is working."

Councillor Rob Williams went to a police meeting at Braintree Council last month, and had spoken to Essex Police.

In his review of the meeting, which was discussed on Monday, he explained the issue residents faced with anti-social behaviour and called for more action from local police.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to reports of an

assault in Wulversford in Witham at around 10.10pm on Friday, August 12.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, said another woman had come into

her premises – New Eastern Chinese Take Away – and punched her to the back. The victim was left with back pain.”

Witnesses should contact Pc Daniel Parrish at Braintree Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.