"We'll work to tackle the burglars" (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

"We'll work to tackle the burglars"

7:20am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

POLICE chiefs in Chelmsford have said Moulsham and Great Baddow are priority areas where they want to drive down burglaries.

Figures shown at Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston’s public meeting said house burglaries in Chelmsford had risen by 14.63 per cent despite overall crime falling by 3.14 per cent.

This means 61 more offences happened between February 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013, compared to the same period a year earlier.

However, Lib Dem councillor for Moulsham Lodge Mark Springett pointed out the figures for his ward show burglaries have nearly doubled in the last year.

A total of 45 more burglaries happened in the ward last year with similar numbers for Great Baddow.

Responding to the concerns, Chelmsford district commander Chief Insp Steve Ditchburn said the force were looking at these two wards as key areas to tackle.

He added: “Moulsham is the hardest hit as more dwellings than any other ward in Chelmsford are being burgled.

“We were talking earlier about how we are able to get people flooded into the area as we know when the burglaries happen and we know who is doing them.

“I can reassure you we are going to be doing our best to target offenders. It is a hard road and we will continue to work on it, but Moulsham and Great Baddow are our main priorities.”

Mr Springett said knowing local officers are working on Moulsham is pleasing to hear.

He said: “I guess my fears will be allayed by seeing police officers on the ground.

“But it is reassuring because they know it is a problem and if they don’t know anything about this problem then nothing will be done.

“Residents will want to be reassured that the police are taking it seriously, which it seems they are.”

Andrew Sosin, Lib Dem councillor for Great Baddow East, also felt the tactics set to be deployed in his ward will help reassure residents.

Mr Sosin said: “There has been a spate of burglaries in Great Baddow recently.

“It is reassuring to know there will be a police presence, although too much activity does have the tendency to worry people.”