A NETWORK of CCTV cameras is set to be expanded to help crackdown on crime across Colchester as the town ranked in third for most reported crime in one month in Essex.

Crime hotspots across the town have been revealed in data published by the Police.UK website.

It shows August saw 2,010 crimes across the Colchester area. The borough was only beaten in the list of shame by Basildon and Southend.

The most were reported in the town centre with 447 crimes. Of these 111 were violence or a sexual offence and 98 related to anti-social behaviour.

During the same month Highwoods, Mile End and St John’s had 291 crimes reported with 110 violence and sexual offences. The area of St Andrew’s and St Anne’s was third with 227 crimes reported.

Stanway had 107 crimes reported, Shrub End 104 and Lexden and Prettygate 85.

At the other end of the spectrum Alresford saw just five crimes reported - two anti-social and three violence and sexual crime.

Mark Goacher, who represents Castle ward, has called for more CCTV in the town centre.

Mr Goacher said while it would be expensive it was “a price worth paying”.

He said: “There needs to be CCTV in dark alleys and places like the Dutch Quarter and areas off East Street.

“I have been speaking with people in the St Mary’s area and they have a massive problem with drug dealing around there.

“Violent and sexual crime is a real concern. We need to know if there is an increase or a perception of an increase.”

Mr Goacher also called for more police officers on patrol.

“They need to be deployed in areas where we have got the most issues like Colchester town centre. That should be the priority,” he said.

Mike Lilley, Colchester’s public safety boss, said plans were underway to introduce more CCTV across the town.

There are already around 130 council-owned cameras covering the town centre.

“We had meetings with Lion Walk management and have talked about linking up with all the cameras in their area,” he said.

“We are looking at a new 360 camera in Culver Square. After some crimes in Eld Lane we got advice about infrared cameras.

“We keep getting more and more requests and the police would also like some cameras.

“The plan keeps evolving and we are using wireless technology. It may take some time as we want to get it right.

“From a safety perspective we are happy with our CCTV coverage and cameras. We compare it with Chelmsford and Ipswich and ours is better.”

Mr Lilley admitted the CCTV plans would “cost a fair bit of money” and urged people to continue to report crimes.

CCTV will also be introduced at North Station as part of the £200,000 Fixing the Link project.

“We have never covered it because of a problem with the power supply,” Mr Lilley said.

“Once the camera goes up we will have coverage all round that area.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Our town centre team, which covers the Castle Ward, was expanded in July and officers patrol the Castle ward seven days a week.

"They have carried out a number of operations to tackle drugs and knife crime, and regularly carry out work under Operation Sceptre, which aims to tackle serious violence in public spaces and knife crime in particular.

"We work closely with Colchester Borough Council and the Safer Colchester Partnership to make Colchester an even safer place, and attend weekly meetings to discuss and address a range of issues raised by the community, including anti-social behaviour."