VOLUNTEER police officers could soon be taking to the streets of Maldon after calls for a more visible presence in the town.

Maldon Town Council is exploring the possibility of funding a number of special constables through an Essex Police scheme.

A presentation will take place at the next council meeting on Monday, July 16, for people to hear more about the plans.

If it gets the go-ahead the town council would fund the expenses of any officers – estimated to be around £1,000 per special per year.

Town councillor Mark Heard organised the briefing.

Mr Heard said: “The idea is for some specials to patrol the high street in the main but also to go to other areas of Maldon when needed.

“I’m very keen to have a police presence in the town.

“I want the public to have a chance to see this option and I’m hoping for councillors to support it.

“My concern is that because there are no police seen, this aids anti-social behaviour because people think that they are not around.

“They’re not being visual enough and I think if they were, it would give the public some sense of safety.

“The police and crime commissioner’s number one priority is the visibility and accessibility of police.

“With the moving of the police station, the visibility is not there to act as deterrent to people who come to our town thinking they can do crime.

“What I want from the council is to consider at least two privately funded special constables patrolling the streets.”

Both Witham Town Council and Halstead Town Council have already signed up to the scheme.

Gabrielle Warren of Carlton Jewellers in High Street, Maldon, had her store burgled twice in January.

Mrs Warren said: “I think that it can’t be of detriment to have a police presence.

“It can only be a benefit to prevent any anti-social behaviour.

“We’re lucky, we’ve got a close-knit community and generally 99 per cent are nice and pleasant.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have a presence for that one per cent that don’t feel like engaging in the niceties that our society has created.

“A lot of independent traders get hit the hardest and it can mean the difference of where you put food on the table or not.

“Business can do without that sort of hindrance.”

The meeting takes place at Maldon Town Hall from 7.30pm.