Business groups have urged Essex Police to save Witham police station and cut 'increasing' levels of anti-social behaviour and theft.

Witham Chamber of Commerce and Witham Town Team wrote to Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston, to say Witham has been experiencing "a lot more offences" in recent months.

They fear the growing population from new housing developments will only make crime worse, including offences like anti-social behaviour and theft.

In the letter, Tina Townsend, chairman of the Chamber, wrote: "Our town has, contrary to comments made in the recent press by councillors, been experiencing a lot more offences in recent times, some of which have gone unrecorded due to the limited hours that the station already operates.

"We have issues with local drunks who urinate and defecate in the streets and doorways, up to criminal damage and theft, which is not just being experienced in the town centre, but also in residential areas.

"There has been a recent spate of break-ins to a local business while building work was being carried out, all thought to be due to a lack of police presence in our town."

She added: "We are scheduled to have in excess of 900 additional homes in the coming months and potentially more in future years, so we feel closing this service may be economically viable to the Police Authority now, but may not be moving forward once these dwellings are built."

In response to the letter, Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, reiterated the station was likely to be sold and said just 20 people reported crimes at Witham’s front counter over a two-month period.

He said: "Whilst I understand many people are attached to their local police stations, it is officers and not buildings who investigate and solve crimes, protect our communities from harm and bring criminals to justice.

"When someone calls 999 for help those officers responding are likely to be already out and about in vehicles on patrol, not sitting in police stations.

"It is important such incidents are reported to Essex police so they can target patrols to deal with such offences.

"Incidents can always be reported by phone, and later next year it will be possible to report crime online to Essex Police."

He added: "I can assure residents of Witham that, during the detailed analysis that was carried out as part of the review into the Essex Police estate, the projected growth in towns across Essex was taken into account as Essex Police planned their requirements for operational bases across the county.

"It is likely that Witham police station will be sold and I am duty bound to obtain the best value for it with any capital made being reinvested to ensure that the remaining police estate is fit for purpose for a modern and efficient police force."