People across Colchester are being invited to join police officers across the town on foot patrols.

Colchester’s Community Policing Team (CPT) is urging people to get involved over the spring and summer.

The Stroll with a Patrol events will take place in every ward across the borough with more than 40 events planned.

The one-hour walks will be a chance for members of the public to get to know their officers, point out any places they feel unsafe or highlight issues they feel need bringing to police attention.

Inspector Stuart Austin said: “I’m really keen for the CPT to be visible and for people to know the faces and names of their local officers and build those personal connections.

“We want people to take us to places they feel unsafe and tell us what concerns them.

“It’s about giving people a voice in their community and bringing communities together with their policing team to solve problems.

“The issues raised will be recorded and we’ll report back to the public to tell them what we’ve done to find a resolution.”

There will be a PC and a PCSO at every event.

Read more:

Even if the problems raised aren’t the direct responsibility of the police - such overgrown trees or lack of streetlighting - Insp Austin said the CPT can help by using their links within the community safety partnership.

He is also hopeful the strolls will encourage communities to come together to discuss issues.

“It’s an opportunity to talk to your community and neighbours about your issues and find out what the police can do to help,” he added.

The events started on Tuesday in Greenstead.

For a full list of events visit gazette-news.co.uk.

A full list of times and places are:

Town centre

Monday April 11, 5:30pm. Meet outside McDonald’s, High Street 

Monday May 9, 6pm. Meet outside Colchester Castle 

Wednesday July 27, 6pm. Meet outside Atik

Christ Church

Wednesday May 11, 6pm. Meet at Ireton Road Church

Sunday June 26, 3pm. Meet at the car park besides play area on Napier Road 

New Town & Hythe

Monday June 27, 11am. Meet outside the Co-Op, Wimpole Road 

Thursday July 14, 2.30pm. Meet outside the Co-Op, The Maltings 

Old Heath

Thursday July 7, 6pm. Meet at Old Heath Community Centre 

Monkwick and Blackheath

Monday April 25, 6pm. Meet at the Willows shops. 

Wednesday June 1, 6pm.  Meet at the play park on Monkwick Avenue (School Road)

Rowhedge

Thursday May 5, 6pm. Meet at Rowhedge Village Hall 

Monday July 18, 11am. Meet besides The Anchor public house

Mersea Island

Thursday August 11, 6pm. Meet outside West Mersea Library 

Wednesday July 27, 11am. Meet at Cudmore Grove Car Park, East Mersea

Langenhoe and Abberton

Wednesday June 29, 6pm. Meet outside Langenhoe Village Hall

Birch and Layer

Thursday June 23, 11am. Meet outside the Hare and Hounds public house, Birch

Sunday August 21, 4pm. Meet outside Layer de la Haye Primary School 

Tiptree

Tuesday August 30, 6pm. Meet at the Grove Road skate park 

Lexden and Prettygate

Wednesday July 6, 6pm. Meet outside Co-op at the Commons. 

Tuesday August 22, 6pm. Meet outside Kingsland Methodist Church next door to Aldi on London Road

Shrub End and St Michaels

Wednesday June 1, 6pm. Meet outside Co-Op, Iceni Way, Shrub End

Wednesday August 3, 3pm. Meet outside Costcutter, St Michaels

Stanway

Thursday April 7, 6pm. Meet outside The Stanway School, Winstree Road

Tollgate/Lakelands

Sunday May 22, 6pm. Meet at Lakeside Walk

White City

Thursday June 16, 5pm. Meet outside Willow Brook Primary School 

Greenstead

Wednesday August 17, 6pm. Meet outside Greenstead Community Centre 

University of Essex 

Wednesday May 18, 12pm. Meet in the square

Wivenhoe

Monday July 11, 12pm. Meet outside Co-op, High Street

Highwoods 

Saturday July 2, 12pm. Meet outside Tesco, Highwoods 

Saturday August 6, 12pm. Meet at Highwoods Country Park car park, Turner Road

Mile End

Tuesday May 3, 6pm. Meet outside the Myland Church. 

Thursday July 21, 6pm. Meet outside Camulos Academy

St Johns

Monday June 13, 10am. Meet outside Tesco, St Johns Road. 

Dedham and Langham

Tuesday June 21, 6pm. Meet outside the Sun Inn, Dedham

Tuesday July 12, 11am. Meet at Langham Community Shops

Rural north

Wednesday  April 20, 6pm. Meet at Boxted Village Hall

Sunday August 14, 4pm. Meet outside The Half Butt Inn, Gt Horksley 

Tuesday July 19, 6pm. Meet outside the Three Horseshoes Public House, Fordham

West Bergholt

Sunday July 3, 4pm Meet outside Orpan Village Hall, West Bergholt

Wakes Colne and Chapel /Great Tey

Thursday April 28, 6pm. Meet outside Wakes Colne Post Office. 

Thursday August 25, 7pm. Meet outside Great Tey Village Hall

Copford

Tuesday August 9, 6pm. Meet London Road Jct with School Road. 

Marks Tey

Thursday May 26, 6pm. Meet outside Marks Tey Village Hall.