IN a joint statement, both Essex Police and Colchester Council have committed to taking action against aggressive begging.

Town centre venues have spoken of the difficulties they are facing when customers are persistently questioned by people purporting be homeless.

But in a statement, they said: "Both the police and council know the importance of having a safe, attractive and welcoming town centre.

"Together with a host of partners we are exploring all the potential positive solutions to the challenges we face in Colchester to enable us to achieve this.

"We want to continue enhancing the quality of life and protect the rights of those living and working in the borough. We are also committed to supporting businesses who are key to maintaining and boosting the town’s economy."

It added: "Through the Safer Colchester Partnership we work with a wide range of agencies, charities and community groups, to develop and coordinate a number of initiatives to support rough sleepers work will be further boosted as part of the council’s newly adopted two year action plan to make the borough an even more attractive place.

“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour or aggressive begging, and these situations will be dealt with appropriately by Essex Police.

"We will be outlining plans for how we will further clamp down on this practice shortly. Essex Police’s District Commander for Colchester, Chief Inspector Shaun Kane, is also currently in talks for the possibility of a Colchester Town Centre Policing Team to assist in community safety situations across the town centre."

Anyone who has concerns about the town centre should send them to colchestercommunitypolicingteam@essex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Colchester’s Community Policing Team.