Three new police community support officers (PCSOs) are set to patrol Colchester’s streets to help deal with rising anti-social behaviour and crime.

PCSOs Dean Athawes, Harrison Defreitas and Michael Kearley are the newest recruits to work alongside the new Team Ten - a dedicated team consisting of a PC, four PCSOs, four Specials and an anti-social behaviour officer.

Colchester Borough Council have provided funding for the four PCSOs as part of their Town Centre Action Plan .

The action plan sees the council and Essex Police join forces to crack down on anti-social behaviour in the town, with a £240,000 investment from Colchester Borough Council to help deliver the project.

Sergeant Martin Willsher, of Colchester’s Community Policing Team, said: “It’s fantastic to have Dean, Harrison and Michael joining the Town Centre Action Plan.

“We have already seen some significant results since the approval of the plan and I look forward to achieving further successes by working alongside our partners to increase visibility and reassurance within the town centre.”

The addition of the new PCSOs comes as part of the council’s £2million strategic programme to spruce up the town.

The TCAP investment has seen an additional 10 new officers – Team 10 – recruited to join forces with the borough’s existing team of zone wardens, licensing officers and anti-social behaviour officers.

The project comes after businesses in the town centre voted to form a business improvement district (BID) and pool funds to spend on community events and other features to make Colchester more appealing to shoppers.

Councillor Mike Lilley, portfolio holder for planning, public safety and licensing, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome the new members of Team 10.

“It’s tremendous to have been able to invest significant new money that will enable us to drastically step up the action to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour that has been blighting our town.

“This strong partnership with Essex Police will equip us with the skills and resources to make our town centre even safer and ensure it remains a welcoming and attractive place for everyone.”