A FATHER who was fed up with antisocial behaviour has thanked the Gazette and the police for helping to improve his quality of life.

Police officers visited Dave Dowton, of Military Road, Colchester, and carried out some work at his property after an article appeared in the Gazette.

It reported that the 45-year-old had CCTV cameras installed at his property.

The father-of-two has had takeaway food pushed through his door, syringes left in his alleyway, people urinating on his property and litter thrown in his front garden.

The Safer Colchester Project Policing Team cleared his alley of rubbish and put anti-climb paint on the walls on Wednesday. They also cut down a tree which was obscuring the alley from the road so passers-by can no longer use it as a hide-out.

Mr Dowton, who suffers with arthritis, said the police had been “terrific”, adding: “They came round within 24 hours of the article being published.

“Thank you, Gazette, for your help. I’m actually getting some sleep.”

PC Lee Ward, of the Safer Colchester Project Policing Team, said: “Our next steps will be to install a security light and a gate at the front of the alley, which will stop people entering it.

“This is a great example of how the project works quickly to solve problems and we’re pleased Mr Dowton feels happier and safer where he lives.

“I’d ask anyone in a similar situation to get in touch and we can see how we can help.”

PC Ward said the police’s research showed Mr Dowton had contacted them a number of times in the past year or so.

“With the increase in numbers of officers due to the Safer Colchester Project, we will focus our patrols accordingly,” he said.