The Dengie's new 'Tri-Service Rural Community Officer' will be plunging straight into the role at Southminster tomorrow (Friday, 5 March) with a door-knocking visit in response to concerns over criminal activity in the village.

Les Davis is working collaboratively for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), Essex Police and East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) - in a role that's been created as part a 15-month pilot to reach out to some of the more remote rural communities of the Dengie Peninsula.

Priorities for Les include being a visible presence and 'protection, prevention and response'. His work will be aimed at safety messaging and advice to the right people at the right time.

Tomorrow's visit to Southminster will see him accompanied by police officers after residents expressed their worries.

Les said: "Last week I was advised by a resident that they were concerned about criminal activity in Southminster.

"I have reported this to my colleagues in Essex Police who are going to arrange for patrols to take place in these areas.

"As well as this, I along with Essex Police and Essex Fire will be door knocking in these areas this Friday, 5 March. Please keep an eye out for us we are here to help."

Les will be using local community network groups, Facebook groups and local media to keep the community updated on where he plans to visit and what he's done.

You can follow Les directly by visiting his Facebook page here.