Give us the policing we need and deserve, residents and a landlord have said.

It has been announced that Maldon will have nine new police officers for the district after a 12.3 per cent rise in crime in the area.

However, Halstead, which has suffered several high profile and violent crimes recently, is not set to get any increase.

There are also fears the police station in the town will close due to cuts.

Jim Errington, landlord at the Royal Oak pub, in the High Street, said although he has some “brilliant” regulars, there are a few who spoil it for everyone else.

He has recently had the windows of his pub damaged during a disturbance and has found cocaine wraps inside the pub.

Mr Errington, who has been in the pub business for more than 40 years, said: “We could do with more police in the town.

“The police are under such pressure at the moment in Halstead.

“The ones we do have are excellent - we might get a bit of trouble now but we would be in serious trouble without them."