PROTECTING vulnerable people, stopping gang activity, reducing violent crime and tackling repeat anti-social behaviour including hate crimes are the key priorities to make Colchester safer.

The Safer Colchester Partnership - a team made up of Essex Police, Colchester Council, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and several other partner agencies - have revealed the most important elements of criminality they want to crackdown on.

The key elements were decided upon following analysis of last year’s work.

A report prepared by community safety co-ordinator Sonia Carr said: “The partnership will aim to increase the understanding and awareness, to both the general public and practitioners, of the hidden harms our communities face.

“We will to continue to develop the intelligence and awareness of this escalating area of criminality, especially focussing on county lines.

“To best tackle this issue the partnership will strive to provide appropriate safeguarding and support to children and adults who are vulnerable to this type of drug related exploitation with a further aim to assist in the disruption of drug-related activities within the community.

“The partnership will aim to prevent violent crime using an integrated approach to address the root causes and drivers for crime.”

Plans are also in place to use legislation such as Public Space Protection Orders to tackle offending which is fuelled by alcohol and drugs.

Officers from Colchester police have recently launched a new scheme called Operation Diss to combat aggressive begging, street drinking, foul language and intoxication in a bid to make the town centre more welcoming.

Clamping down on repeated anti-social behaviour as well as hate crime is another priority for the partnership.

The report added: “Hate crime and anti-social behaviour affects both children, adults, families and communities and by addressing this type of behaviour and conduct we can help improve the community quality of life.

“Reductions in these areas will bring reassurance to residents regarding their personal safety and will assist in reducing crime in the area.”

The issues will be discussed by Colchester Council’s crime and disorder panel at a meeting next week where Chief Insp Shaun Kane will be on hand to discuss police involvement in the plans.

Partnership bosses will also discuss their work over the previous year which has included work on modern slavery in businesses.

Operation Gallery discovered a 16-year-old girl who had been trafficked into the UK and she was later safeguarded.

Police and their partners have also been running the Street Weeks initiative across different wards in Colchester where officers spend seven days tackling issues important to residents and aim to leave a legacy behind.