Braintree's crime prevention initiative

A TOWN is set to plough an extra £250,000 into schemes which will help deter crime and improve the local environment.

Crime and anti-social behaviour remains high on the list of Braintree residents' fears, and solutions are to be discussed in a district council meeting on Monday.

The council believes people's alarm may be higher than the actual level of crime happening, but is determined to change that perception.

Roger Walters, Braintree District Council portfolio holder for environmental protection, said yesterday: "We want the streets to be clean, safe and visually attractive.

"The public need to feel that people care about the environment and their town. We are putting our energy into civic pride."

Suggestions for the scheme include uniformed street wardens who could enforce the powers available to the council by focusing on anti-social conduct and carrying out preventative activities.

Parking attendants could also be badged as street wardens and additional police community support officers could be provided.

Graffiti, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping and noise pollution would all be targeted as well as playgrounds in need of repair.

Other plans for the wardens include the ability to impose fixed penalty notices for litter and parking offences and to act as a community link with youth, drug and alcohol support services.

The council already has rangers who deal with litter, fly-tipping and environmental and social well-being within council estates, but is concerned that this is not obvious to the public.

Full details of the project are still being finalised but the executive committee plans to allocate about £211,000 from the general fund and £50,000 from the housing revenue account.

The new arrangements are hoped to be in place by May this year.