ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour was highlighted as one of the main issues facing Colchester residents when dozens of officers took to the streets to engage in some “old-style” policing.

A project aimed at tackling criminals and stamping out anti-social behaviour was launched on Monday.

Essex Police, along with other groups in the Safer Colchester Partnership, held their first Street Weeks event in the Monkwick area.

Throughout seven days of action, officers will deal with anti-social behaviour through visible policing, while tackling drug activity, domestic abuse and child neglect by carrying out door-to-door enquiries and spot checks within neighbourhoods.

Dave Harris (Lab) who represents the Monkwick area on Colchester Council, said: “It has been an absolutely wonderful couple of days of community engagement so far.

“Everyone we spoke to was pleased to see what we were doing, they all praised the concept.

“Many people have given feedback about what is happening in their estates.

“Police have identified hotspots for speeding, anti-social behaviour and drug crime.

“Numbers have been handed out for Crimestoppers so residents can report this behaviour and officers have gathered worthwhile intelligence.

“I have been with around 30 officers in all, walking the streets taking part in some good old-style door-to-door engagement.

“It is something that should definitely be taken to other areas of Colchester.”

Chief Insp Shaun Kane, district commander for Colchester, said he hopes the project will make the area safer.

He said: “We regularly engage and communicate with members of our communities and have listened to their concerns by setting up Street Weeks.

“This initiative covering a seven day period, 24 hours a day, will help us create a safer Colchester while dealing with real community issues.

"From volunteer police cadets and active citizens right through to our councillors, street pastors and our community safety teams, this partnership will see organisations work shoulder to shoulder to create safer communities.

“Partnership work like this allows us to engage directly with the town’s most vulnerable people while deterring and disrupting people involved with criminal activity, showing their actions will not be tolerated and action will be taking against them.”

The week includes a night of action between 3pm and 3am on Friday, which will see officers moving congregating groups away from the town, visible patrols and work with night-time establishments into the early hours.

Workshops will be held with youngsters to address knife crime and gang activity.