Police have assured residents they are taking a tough stance against vandals following another incident in Halstead.

Cops said they have responded positively to criticism and claims action was not being taken after would-be thieves attempted to break into Costcutter in High Street.

Store owner John Man, 50, said: “Nothing at all has been done. We have just had to go to the insurance company and that’s all we can do.

“It is frustrating – we are having a lot of this happening in the area.

“And because our shop is in a listed building, we have no option of putting up shutters, the council will not let us. It is impossible for me.”

Officers say they have been working to stamp out vandalism in the town centre for a number of months after a spate of incidents last summer saw many shops vandalised.

As a result of their operations, a 25-year-old man from Halstead was jailed for 22 weeks after he admitted to three counts of criminal damage and breaching a suspended sentence.

Two of the charges were related to smashed windows at the former Head Street Gallery in Head Street and Hardy’s in Market Hill.

Another man, of Abels Road, Halstead, is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on February 28 to face a charge of criminal damage to a window at 10 Outta 10 on August 24.

A police spokesman said: “Last summer, we worked with the community and our partners to resolve issues around anti-social behaviour in Halstead Public Gardens.

“We spoke to residents, young people and businesses and worked closely with schools, Braintree Council and the office of the police commissioner for Essex.

“After an increase in the number of community policing team officers, we now have named officers as points of contact in our areas.

“We are also looking to increase the number of special constables working alongside our Halstead regular officers.

“At our local community meeting in Halstead in January, a number of residents welcomed the increased police visibility and reported they were experiencing less anti-social behaviour.

“We are continuing to work hard with councillors and businesses to tackle any issues and we also encourage residents to continue contacting us with any concerns so we can deal with them.”

If you see any incidents of criminal damage, call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.