COLCHESTER Council leader Mark Cory has given an emotional response to the plight of Crouch Street firms.

He said: “It is a sad indictment on our society that our town and many others of similar size in Essex and around the country are suffering from street drinking, rough sleeping and, unfortunately, the rough edges of society which that brings.

“There is an acceptance from me about that and our alliance plans are trying to tackle not only criminality, by investing in the police, but also our homeless strategy will be tackling homelessness and rough sleeping issues.”

The senior Lib Dem added: "We are suffering as a result of Government cuts; cuts to youth services and other services which could prevent some of these issues we are seeing.

"There has been a lack of police investment from national Government.

"I wish we had more power in the council to change our town for the better; I honestly do.

"At the moment, we are seeing some return for our own increased investment but people will rightly say there is a long, long way to go."