A COUNCIL has pledged £30,000 to help with a crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour in Colchester’s rural areas.

Colchester Council will hand out the cash to rural communities in a bid to combat the issues.

A survey by Essex Police found the biggest concerns across the county were anti-social behaviour, theft from outbuildings, flytipping and hare coursing.

People will be able to bid for the money when a funding application process launches in September.

At the same time the council, and the Safer Colchester Partnership, will launch its Rural Crime Toolkit.

The toolkit will provide advice and guidance to rural communities to help identify what the problems are, practical solutions to address them, preventative measures and a guide on how to apply for funding.

It has been developed to work alongside Essex Police’s rural crime strategy

Mike Lilley, communities and public safety boss for Colchester Council, said: “We all have a part to play in making our communities safer, friendlier and more liveable.

“We’re building on the council’s investment in police numbers, by developing this toolkit and committing to £30,000 funding to support the implementation of schemes to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in rural areas.

“This toolkit and funding support the delivery of our promise to make safer streets and communities for the whole borough, helping to create a better Colchester.”

Data from Essex Police shows there are 250,000 hectares of farmed land in the county and 22,500 businesses in rural areas.

Information about the toolkit and the funding application process will be published on the council’s website in September.