The work of the Safer Colchester Partnership (SCP) will be under the spotlight at the Crime and Disorder Committee’s annual meeting later this month.

The partnership - bringing together members from a range of organisations including Colchester Borough and Essex County Councils, Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, North Essex CCG, the probation service, Community 360, Colchester Borough Homes and the Garrison - looks to bring fresh ideas to tackling crime by working together.

The partnership came up with five priorities as part of its annual partnership plan - to reduce reoffending, address alcohol and drug misuse, to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and to combat evening and night time economy crime.

These priorities will be reduced to three at the committee meeting on Tuesday, September 12.

There will also be a focus on how the SCP has tackled the issue of gangs in the borough.

Pam Donnelly, Chair of the Safer Colchester Partnership, said: “This has been yet another exceptionally busy year for the SCP, with partners continuing to work successfully to tackle a wide range of issues affecting community safety in the Borough.

“The SCP performs an incredibly important and often difficult role extremely well.

“I look forward to it continuing to make a significant difference to reducing crime and people’s fear of crime, as well as adapting to new challenges and emerging public safety issues whenever and wherever they arise in the Borough.”

Cllr Mike Lilley, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Licensing, added: “I am enormously impressed with what the Community Safety Partners have achieved in the past twelve months.

“By combining an impressive amount of knowledge, skills and expertise, they are able to tackle crime and disorder far more effectively and help make Colchester a safer and more attractive place for residents and visitors alike.”