AN EMERGENCY meeting has been called to demand action is taken following a spate of serious crimes across Harwich in the past week.

Angry residents and councillors are calling for action following a wave of burglaries and break-ins.

In response to a number of incidents, including a third raid on Dovercourt Skating Rink in a year, Harwich councillor Geoff Smith has organised a public meeting which will be attended by Sgt Paul Gale.

Mr Smith said: “There is a lot of concern about a rise in crime in the town and it is a worry.

“This meeting will be a chance to raise those concerns.”

Harwich councillor Garry Calver has contacted the town’s MP, Bernard Jenkin, in a bid to address the issue.

He said: “Not only are we seeing break-ins to residential properties but also burglaries at business premises and even the mugging of an elderly lady in broad daylight in Dovercourt High Street.

"Mr Jenkin should use his authority as Harwich’s MP to intervene at the highest level to ensure that sufficient resources are made available to bring this situation under control and restore confidence to the local residents.”

Mr Jenkin has written to the police commissioner regarding crime in Harwich.

“I think he needs to pay a visit to Harwich to address the issue,” he said.

“I know the police are finding it very difficult with the restriction on resources but they have to respond, and also engage with the public so they can be involved with providing more intelligence.”

The public meeting will be held in the club room at the Park Pavilion, in Barrack Lane, Dovercourt, at 7pm on November 16.