COLCHESTER’S litter police are cleaning up the town, issuing 55 tickets... while wearing stab vests.

In a bid to crack down on littering and associated antisocial behaviour in the town centre, Colchester Council is working with private security agency Artemis to deter litter louts and anyone else breaching the terms of the town's Public Space Protection Order.

Artemis' officers undertook the first in a series of enforcement events over the weekend, patrolling between 6pm and 3am each night.

However, they seemed to create quite a scare in the town, with their “extreme” uniforms including stab-proof vests.

READ MORE: Private litter police on their way to Colchester

Martin Goss (Lib Dem), councillor responsible for waste, said: “There were a few concerns over their uniform in that they were wearing stab vests and we accepted that so as a council we’ve asked them to tone that down as it’s not the most approachable attire.

“It’s just a small change to what we believe is something which is already working to improve the town.”

Over two nights, a team of six enforcement officers issued a total of 55 fixed penalty notices of £100 to those predominantly caught littering or urinating in the street.

The income raised from the fixed penalty notices will be reinvested back into projects to keep the town centre a “clean and welcoming place”.

Mr Goss added: “It is unacceptable people’s enjoyment of our town during the evening and night time hours is spoilt by those who think it acceptable to use the streets and doorways as toilets or who see fit to clutter the pavements with their litter and discarded food.

“If we want to support a thriving night time economy we need to ensure the town is a clean, safe and welcoming place and we intend to continue to work in partnership with Artemis to help hammer home the message that anyone who blights our town will face a hefty penalty.”

The new regime supports Colchester Council’s Better Colchester campaign, which has seen the council set aside around £2 million to deliver a two-year action plan to make Colchester an even better place to live, work in and visit.

The additional investment supports on-going work of the town centre zones team which has recently increased its numbers and working hours.

Artemis continues its work this week with a team of six enforcement officers, in action from 9am to 5pm daily, working alongside the council’s town centre zone wardens.

Night-time weekend enforcement events are scheduled to take place monthly, with the next one scheduled for Oktoberfest celebrations on October 26 and 27.