Regency Security Services (UK) Ltd is the first in the country to provide community marshal patrols to a Parish Council. Councillors in Tiptree believe there is a falling police presence in the village.

The six month trial, starting in mid July and set up with Braintree-based Regency Security Service, will see marshals tour areas in Tiptree which attract anti-social behaviour.

Villagers who witness anti-social behaviour are urged to log low level incidents to the council, which will then decide whether the area should be included within the patrols.

Parish council chairman Steve Bayes said: “We have not taken this decision lightly but we felt we could no longer just talk about this issue.

“We had to act to protect our village and its residents from the growing problems we have been experiencing with anti-social behaviour.

“Having consulted with Essex Police on several occasions, it has become clear that they no longer have the resources to properly deal with issues such as vandalism, graffiti, youths starting fires and the harassment of residents who live near council recreation facilities.”

Mr Bayes said: “The cost has already been factored into our parish precept but will be no more than two pence per resident, per week.

“I must emphasise that the community marshals are not a replacement for the police, they are a deterrent.

“Tiptree does not have a major crime problem and introducing community marshals is our way of making sure that remains the case. Should any resident be subject to an offence, their first port of call is still the police.”

Paul DeAngelis, business director at Regency Security Services, said: “Our operatives will be targeting anti-social behaviour using CCTV and body-cams. Those individuals acting in an anti-social manner and/or breaking the law will be filmed and will face the full legal ramifications of their actions. We will be the eyes and ears of the police and the parish council in the community and we will be liaising with them closely, passing on intelligence wherever we find anti-social behaviour and crimes are occurring.”

Residents are asked to provide feedback on the scheme on the Tiptree Parish Council Facebook page or www.tiptreeparishcouncil.gov.uk.

Inspector Sharn Taylor said: “Tiptree is a safe village in a safe county. We patrol the village every day but residents can help keep people safe by reporting to us any crimes they see. Non-emergency crime can now be reported online at essex.police.uk/doitonline.

“The areas patrolled by officers and PCSOs are chosen based on demand and are reviewed on a weekly basis. Colchester’s community policing team are working in the villages and towns across the district to fight and prevent crime, protect people from harm and work with local authority partners to tackle problems.”