Residents fear that a fourth fish and shop in Halstead could become a magnet for criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Councillors at Braintree Council are set to decide on plans to turn a vacant shop, which used to be Pilgrims Natural Wholefoods, in Weavers Court into a fish and chip takeaway at a meeting tonight.

But nearby residents are worried that vandalism, noise and rowdiness will escalate if the takeaway opens as customers could congregate outside.

Musician Jan Mellon, who forms part of the country music duo Cardy and Coke and lives in Factory Terrace, said: “We have had a lot of anti-social behaviour along the terrace and in the Co-op car park - we get regular vandalism along the road.

“I have even witnessed somebody vandalising my neighbours car by pulling at their frog headlights to pull them off. My wing mirror was also kicked off about three months ago."

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.