IT was revealed this week that anti-social behaviour on land and on the water is a top priority for Maldon's policing team and the Marine Unit at Burnham-on-Crouch - and now in Anti-Social Behaviour Week Essex Police has vowed to crack down it this summer.

On Monday, in feedback on local police priorities to a meeting of Maldon Town Council, it was revealed that tackling anti-social behaviour is now a top priority for Maldon district police, as is drugs misuse and shoplifting.

The news followed the launch of a personal water craft (PWC) on Monday, 12 July, purchased for Burnham's Marine Unit by Maldon District Council to help tackle an increase in anti-social behaviour on the water seen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And in a statement released yesterday (Thursday, 22 July), a spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Anti-social behaviour is not just nuisance behaviour - it can severely impact on victims and make their lives a misery.

"We work closely with councils and other organisations across Essex to support victims and deal with offenders. This week is the UK's first Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, organised by community safety specialists Resolve. It aims to highlight how police, councils, housing providers, fire services and community groups keep communities safe.

"With summer holidays now starting and the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, more people will be out and about and enjoying our towns, countryside and coastal areas.That also brings the risk of increased anti-social behaviour. While some of this will be down to people deliberately causing problems, there may be others who are unaware their behaviour is intimidating or disruptive.

"Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan, added: "Anti-social behaviour impacts communities across our county in different ways and in the worst cases can change the way people live their lives.

"We don't want anyone to feel intimidated where they should feel safe - whether that's in their home, in town centres and parks, on the roads or out on the water.

"Just as there are various types of anti-social behaviour, there are also a number of ways we can deal with it. Sometimes just speaking to people to highlight the impact of their behaviour, or using restorative justice, can put an end to the problem.

"But we also use dispersal orders, closure orders for properties, criminal behaviour orders and other legislation where necessary.

"Working closely with local councils, partner agencies and our communities is key to finding long term solutions for persistent problems and we encourage anyone affected by anti-social behaviour to report it.

"We know more than half of people who are victims of anti-social behaviour don't report it, but it's really important you do so we can then deal with it."

You can report incidents of anti-social behaviour on the Essex Police website using the link here or by phoning 101.