A plan of action is needed to cut crime and protect residents in Witham, according to the town’s MP.

In response to two serious incidents last week, a ram raid at Aldi and a fight in which an unknown substance was thrown at Morrisons, MP Priti Patel called for organisations including police and the town council to work together to combat crime.

She said: “Witham should be a safe place to live and work and this incident is shocking.

“It must have been frightening to witness and this sort of violence and thuggery is not welcome in our town.

“We need a clear strategic plan of action to cut crime in Witham and protect people from these incidents."

A public meeting is being held between the council, police and residents at Spring Lodge Community Centre on Monday evening.

Witham Town Mayor JoAnn Williams said: “I do not want people to be afraid, these are two incidents where there is not a big danger to the public.

“It is important for people to discuss these issues and we can learn more about what police are doing to combat them.

“We want people to bring up any of their concerns and I would like to address as many as we can.”

District Commander Craig Carrington said: “I would like to reassure residents we are working in partnership with Witham Town Council and Braintree Council to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in the town.

“In recent weeks, special constables and local policing teams have completed an extra 250 hours of patrols in Witham and have made arrests.

“We have had a tremendous amount of support from the public helping us bring offenders to justice and putting them before the courts to secure convictions for the most serious offences including Armed Robbery in Witham.

“I urge the public to support us and those charged with keeping the community safe by joining us as active citizens or joining neighbourhood watch groups to find those committing crime and behaving in a way which impacts on the quality of life for residents in Witham”

Police have invested extra time and resources in Witham over recent weeks in response to residents' concerns.