BEING 'active citizens' could help the police crack down on crime in Halstead.

Roger Hirst, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has drawn up seven priorities for policing, crime prevention and community safety.

Once these have been consulted a Police and Crime Plan for Essex will come into effect in early November.

The seven priorities included more local policing, crack down on anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, reversing the trend in serious violence, tackling gangs, protecting children and vulnerable people, and improving road safety.

Chairman of the county's Neighbourhood Watch Association, Clive Stewart, said the community needed to have a bigger role.

He said: "Roger Hirst needs support from everyone in the community to help to reduce the opportunity of crime. What seems to be missing is the direct clamp down on drug sales to the vulnerable, as surely there are people in the community who know where and when it occurs and can call 101.

"Yes we do need more police patrols in areas where there are concerns of any criminal activity, but these areas need to be identified by the communities and then they will be recognised by Essex Police as 'Hot Spots'.

"There is no requirement for police patrolling in areas which have no crime.

"Police are very active in stopping this activity but they need more support from the community, so let us see everyone work more effectively."

There are also a series of proposed commitments linked to each of the priorities.

The engagement process for the new Police and Crime Plan will end on October 7.

An updated plan will be taken to the Police and Crime Panel for their final comments at the end of October.

Read the draft Police and Crime Plan at www.essex.pcc.police.uk/police-and-crime-plan-2016