CRIME-FIGHTING Halstead residents have banded together after a recent spate of burglaries.

A Neighbourhood Watch group is currently being set up in a bid to deter criminals from targeting the town.

Linda Bruen and her husband, Karl, have decided to start an official neighbourhood watch in light of a recent increase in crime.

The most recent incident happened in Juniper Close on June 30 when mum Lucy Hoskin and her son were left waiting for police as thieves attempted to break into their home.

The town currently has a Halstead Street Watch Facebook group.

Linda said: “The street watch is great and has really worked in bringing the community together however it is isn’t recognised as under the Neighbourhood Watch.

“The feedback was fantastic from genuine people from Halstead interested in doing something constructive and showing that people are sticking together.”

The Neighbourhood Watch will see street signs put up around town as well as stickers put in windows.

Members of the Neighbourhood Watch will also receive regular crime updates via email.

Linda added: “Clive Stewart, who is the head of Neighbourhood Watch, arranged a meeting to discuss this going forward.

“There are over 200 people down for the scheme and we will soon be seeing road signs going up.”

Linda is hoping to split Halstead up into four sections, rather than attempting to cover the whole of Halstead at once, and appoint dedicated leaders for each.

Town clerk Sarah Greatorex said the town council welcomed the move.

She said: “The Neighbourhood Watch scheme which has been suggested shows a strong response from the community to help itself.

“Since we no longer have a police presence on the ground in Halstead, this suggestion is likely to be one route to a reduction in burglaries and break-ins.

“The council is considering other options to assist the community in fighting this development.”