By Gemma LawrenceTROUBLE-MAKING youths have been warned police will be clamping down on their activities - thanks to a cash boost of £250,000.Essex County Council has given an extra £250,000 to Essex Police to help curb anti-social behaviour throughout the county.

By Gemma Lawrence

TROUBLE-MAKING youths have been warned police will be clamping down on their activities - thanks to a cash boost of £250,000.

Essex County Council has given an extra £250,000 to Essex Police to help curb anti-social behaviour throughout the county.

Essex Police Authority chairman, Robert Chambers, said visible policing was a big issue among the public who wanted clear measures to deter criminals.

No final decisions have been made yet about how the extra money will be spent, but Mr Chambers stressed it would contribute to a long-term strategy against anti-social behaviour.

“We are doing everything we can to prevent crimes by listening to people's needs. I am delighted with the new partnership and hope it will make people begin to realise that police need help and assistance,” he said.

Essex Police Authority has three top priorities - more visible policing, a better response to telephone calls and preventing anti-social behaviour.

Officers aim to get to the reasons behind youth crime by going into schools and spending time with problem children.

Youth nuisance is high on their agenda and the police hope to combat the problems posed by groups of teenagers on the streets, vandalism and graffiti.

Lord Hanningfield, leader of the county council, said: “Youth nuisance is the source of one of the biggest fears amongst elderly people and it is very important that we tackle this problem.

“The council is involving young people in the fight against crime by encouraging them to help other youngsters with their problems. We are getting good feedback from Essex's youth and want them to be involved.”

Essex County Council will also be contributing £250,000 over four years to help fund police community support officers.