RESIDENTS were issued with advice on how to spot if someone is being abused or exploited as part of a week of action by Essex Police.

Officers, volunteers and agencies were in the Great Knightleys area of Basildon as part of the Street Weeks initiative to coincide with National Safeguarding Awareness Week.

The Basildon Community Policing Team and Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Team visited victims of domestic abuse to check on their welfare.

They also spoke to staff at hair salons, community centres, Laindon train station and library to provide advice on how to spot signs someone may need help.

Neighbourhood Watch volunteers and Active Citizens visited more than 100 homes to offer advice on how to deter burglars.

A stall was also set-up where residents could get advice on home security and how to keep themselves safe.

Officers visited primary schools to speak to parents and carers about what to do if they were concerned a child may be vulnerable and needed support.

Over the week, the community policing team and Special Constables completed more than 120 hours of patrols.

They carried out 11 stop searches and issued community resolutions to five people for possession of cannabis.

Mandie Skeat, of Safer Basildon, said: “It’s important that we raise awareness in our communities of how to spot safeguarding issues, what support is available and how to access it.

"We are most successful at doing this as a partnership when all agencies join together and we go to where people are, like shopping areas, our estates and community centres to hear their concerns and where they need support."

The week of action took place between November 18 and 22.