A £4 million scheme which will change the face of rural policing in the Braintree area was launched this week.

A new police station will be built in Shalford, with extensive refurbishment of stations in Finchingfield and Kelvedon.

Launching the initiative on Wednesday, Essex Police Chief Constable David Stevens, said it would see "the return of the village bobby."

"We will demonstrate our success by reducing crime and disorder, people feeling safer and delivering best value service," he said.

Sixty-one police houses, 37 of which are currently occupied, will be sold to finance the changes.

Shalford will be the centre of the new Braintree rural policing team, covering Finchingfield, Wethersfield, Great Bardfield, Panfield, Bardfield Saling, Great Saling, Stisted, Rayne, Bradwell, Black Notley, Cressing and north Bocking.

The team of seven constables and one sergeant will be led by an inspector and certain officers will have responsibility for a group of parishes.

The news has been welcomed by parish councils in the north of the district.

"We get on very well with our policemen and we would be delighted to have them in the village," said Shalford parish clerk, Anne Tee.

"We have got a new park opening soon and we are hoping this will stop vandalism and make residents feel safer."

Chairman of Finchingfield Parish Council, Edwin Collar, said the village had seen an increase in crime since losing its police officer last year.

"We have always had a resident officer in Finchingfield so anything which improves the present situation will be welcomed by everyone," he said.

But, in Stisted there is concern about the effect of losing their village bobby.

"It's nice to know there is someone nearby who you can call out if there is say, a suspicious caller. No one is going to come from Shalford and do it," said parish clerk, John Hicks.

A public consultation will be carried out over the next two months to give people a chance to have their say on the plans.

In Braintree a public meeting is being held at the community centre in Victoria Street on February 3 at 7.30pm.

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