Op Community: CPT target anti-social behaviour across Chelmsford district

Chelmsford Community Policing Team (CPT) have been out on patrol across the district to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

Officers conducted high-visibility uniformed patrols and plain clothes deployments in the centre of Chelmsford, Melbourne, Beaulieu Park, Great Baddow, Hanningfield Reservoir and Rettendon.

Activity in Chelmsford city centre was focussed on the bus station after reports of aggressive begging, and issues related to people using drugs and alcohol.

A number of people were searched in Central Park on suspicion of being in possession of stolen goods and one arrest was made of a man who was wanted on recall to prison.

The city centre is covered by a Public Space Protection Order that could see anyone drinking alcohol in a way that causes other people distress or behaving in a threatening, abusive or aggressive manner landed with a £1,000 fine.

Officers were also out in the Melbourne area of Chelmsford after a violent incident believed to be a targeted attack. Arrests have subsequently been made.

In Great Baddow, Beaulieu, Rettendon and Hanningfield Reservoir, work was done to combat speeding and nuisance driving.

This work formed part of Operation Community, a monthly day of intensification that moves away from traditional reactive policing towards a proactive approach based on decisive early interventions to address local issues before they escalate.

This high-impact, high-visibility approach emphasises prevention, problem-solving, and community engagement.

Inspector Sam Girdlestone of Chelmsford CPT said:

“As a community policing team, anti-social behaviour is one of our main priorities because we know the long-term damage it can do and the effect that it has on public confidence.

“The team has been out dealing with issues from nuisance pedal cycles through to drug dealing and violence related to organised crime groups.

“It’s important that we work closely with our partners in Community Safety Partnership to reduce ASB. We are quick to deal with public order offences as that behaviour can really affect businesses and people coming into the city centre.

“By enforcing the PSPO where we can and taking stern stance on how we deal with people in those areas, we are starting to see a reduction in offences.”

Insp Girdlestone also wants to encourage the public to continue reporting instances of anti-social or criminal behaviour when they witness them.

He said: “Any incidents need to be reported to us. You can call 101, contact us through the Essex Police website, or you can report ASB online through the council website.

“If the public tell us about where they’ve seen issues, this gives us intelligence to work with and we can do something about it.”

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