Crime Wave Hits Springfield & Chelmer Village

Over recent weeks, residents in Springfield have been subjected to an increasing number of acts of vandalism. These have now spread to the Chelmer Village area and have resulted in Chelmsford Police acknowledging the problem and increasing police presence in the area. Particularly prevalent has been damage to people's vehicles such as slashed tyres and smashed windscreens.

Liberal Democrat county councillor for Springfield Mike Mackrory said "This year will see 100 fewer constables and 160 fewer PCSOs in Essex police's Neighbourhood Policing Section. This is the inevitable result of Conservative budget cuts. I raised the mini crime wave in Springfield at the Police and Crime Commissioner Panel yesterday. When asked to comment, the Police & Crime Commissioner said I should make contact with Spencer Clarke at City Council, as the Community Safety Partnership contact may wish to reconsider its priorities! I said I was sure the priorities already took account of the current situation."

Chelmer candidate for the Essex County Council elections in May, Natacha Dudley, said "The least local residents can expect is that their property is safe in their front gardens or on their drive ways. Whilst we are pleased to see the Police response, with the level of cuts to Police funding it cannot be sustained over a significant period of time. Therefore 2 weeks from now, we will be in the same situation."