A COMMUNITY is coming together to combat crime in Southchurch with better CCTV and number plate recognition cameras.

Special StreetSafe cards will be handed to families to help them avoid falling victim as Project Southchurch was launched to make the area safe.

It has been organised by Ambleside Drive resident Rob McAvoy, 53, who has lived there for two years.

He said: “The idea came after I witnessed one too many incidents of antisocial behaviour in Ambleside Drive and realised there were some simple things that could be done to boost the Southchurch area as a whole.

“The growth of crime is a priority issue for the community and we aim to tackle the problem.

“We aim to work in partnership with residents and businesses in Southchurch through our StreetSafe Campaign.”

Rob, who runs a printing management company, said the group will liaise with council officials and the police to agree a strategy to make Southchurch safer, including campaigning for improved lighting in public areas and improved CCTV and automatic number plate readers in areas of concern.

Rob added: “Through this campaign, we hope to identify those high-risk areas where assistance is urgently needed.

“We are hoping to produce and distribute StreetSafe cards for residents with tips to deter crime and also contact details of agencies and council departments that can help.”

Rob says Southchurch has seen an increase in rough sleeping and aggressive begging. He added: “We are requesting assistance from the town centre protection team to increase their scope to patrol identified problem areas.”

The launch comes after the police and other agencies hosted an action day in Southchurch to provide high-visibility advice and support to the community.

Rob said he hopes to fill some of Southchurch Road’s empty units with community pop-up centres to boost activity and keep the street less rundown while the leases are filled.

He said: “Currently, There are a number of empty units and we aim to discuss with the agents the possibility of using them as pop-up venues allowing the buildings to remain active.”

Insp Ian Hughes said: “Project Southchurch is an excellent example of the community coming together. It’s great to see the community wanting to be part of what is needed to address some of our most challenging issues.”