Little Baddow Parish Council has been active in trying to resolve the anti-social behaviour in the area of the ford in Hurrells Lane. The Chairman has been in contact with Essex Police, Public Health & Protection Services of Chelmsford City Council, Chelmsford City Councillors and our Essex County Councillor to gain support for actions to ensure the area is safe for all to visit.

A remote meeting was hosted by Public Health with local City Councillors, Little Baddow Parish Council Chairman and Clerk and representatives from Essex Police on Friday 17th July to discuss the anti-social behaviour and for Essex Police to set out its plan of action.

The general strategy is to make the area unattractive for those engaging in anti-social behaviour and encourage residents and visitors to the meadows to use the area regularly. Specific actions by Essex Police are:

• Putting up posters advising of a greater police presence in the area to discourage anti-social behaviour
• Using the area for police dog training – increasing police presence
• Increased police patrols – regular 30 minute visits 4 or 5 days a week
• Issued a press release through a wide range of media channels highlighting the issues and actions being taken

Discussions have also taken place with the land owners about closing off some of the unofficial lay-by’s by the ford and cutting back on the hedgerows to deter parking and make the area more open. In addition Essex Wildlife Trust (EWT) has commenced work to cut back growth on the meadows and remove any temporary structures. EWT are keen for community involvement and have proposed organising a number of open days where residents can join working parties to help reclaim the area; Essex Police and members of the City Council plan to attend these open days and engage with residents.

The meeting discussed other potential measures proposed by councillors including:

• A Public Spaces Protection Order – there is a difficulty in defining the actual behaviours to be banned and so it is to be kept under review in the event the existing actions do not improve matters
• Siting of CCTV/ANPR cameras in the area – thought of as a possible deterrent the meeting was advised that it would be very hard to identify potential criminal activity from legitimate users and the cameras would not comply with current privacy laws.

Little Baddow Parish Council will update residents through the website of the dates for the proposed EWT Open Days and the community is encouraged to get involved and register for participating in the working parties.