ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour across the Maldon district fell last year by almost a quarter, latest figures reveal.

A total of 901 anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded between January 1 and December 31 in 2021.

This is a drop of 23.7 per cent compared with the previous 12 months.

Essex Police say the drop in incidents is, in part, due to the way breaches of Covid restrictions were recorded as anti-social behaviour during the first year of the pandemic.

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District Commander Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes says the reduction is good news but recognises any victim of anti-social behaviour is “one too many”.

He added: “Officers from our community policing team work closely with Maldon District Council and other partners to identify areas of concern so we can focus on problem-solving and deterrence as much as enforcement.

“A second officer has been appointed to Maldon’s town centre team to focus on issues there and the district is trialling a Tri-Service rural community officer scheme, between Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service.

“Les Davis has been out on patrol across the district building contacts, meeting residents and liaising with community groups in person and online, providing crime prevention and fire safety advice while also working as a first responder for the ambulance service.

“His work is helping all three emergency services better understand what will help to make residents in rural areas feel safer and more secure and to devise solutions.”

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Police say the new scheme is working well.

After reports of anti-social behaviour in Southminster, a joint visit to the parish council from community policing team officers and Les resulted in an operation focused on the area where the problems were reported.

This included a number of stop searches and several people were spoken to about their behaviour.

Officers also worked together with Mr Davis and the district council’s anti-social behaviour officer to solve the issue of quad bikes being ridden up and down the beach in Bradwell, which was causing distress to residents.

Since businesses started returning to normal after the lifting of Covid restrictions last summer, the force says its community policing team has been renewing links across the district to ensure anti-social behaviour levels remain low.

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One area of focus is the older population and officers are working with charities and care homes to find out what issues are of particular concern to them.

Chief Inspector Scott-Haynes adds: “Key to keeping anti-social behaviour levels low is two-way engagement.

“We publish a newsletter to keep everyone informed about our policing activity but we also need your help.

“If you see or hear about anti-social behaviour issues or you are experiencing problems yourself, do report them to us so we can liaise with relevant partners and community organisations to take action and find solutions.”

Report incidents of anti-social behaviour on the website www.essex.police.uk via Live Chat – open from 7am-11pm every day – or by completing an online report.

You can also ring 101.

If you’ve been a victim of anti-social behaviour, or any crime, and are feeling mentally impacted by it, contact Victim Support on 0808 1689 111.