The county’s police and crime commissioner will be on hand to discuss crime and community safety at an upcoming public meeting.

The latest crime figures for Braintree district will be published ahead of the meeting, which takes place at New Rickstones Academy, in Conrad Road, Witham, on May 19.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Nick Alston said: "We’ve had an excellent series of public meetings in all parts of Essex over the last year and a half, and we’re looking to build on those events.

“I encourage everyone who lives in Witham or anywhere in the Braintree district to come along to the meeting and raise the issues that matter to them.

"We provide the very latest crime figures, publishing these on our website too.

“We explore the facts and context around any crime trends.”

District commander, Chief Inspector Richard Melton, and the area community safety partnership will also be providing briefings at the meeting and will be available for questioning.

Mr Alston said: “I will also ask challenging questions of the police and council, as well as highlighting some of the excellent work that is taking place.

"If you care about keeping your community as safe as it can possibly be, please come along and get involved.”

The meeting takes place from 6pm to 8pm.

Mr Alston said: "Each meeting will be two hours long. We’d love people to attend all the meeting, but if you can only make part of it, please still come along.

“I want your views to be part of the debate about how we can best keep the streets and countryside of Essex safe.”

For details about future meetings, visit essex.pcc.police.uk/events