A town council has employed a security firm for a trial period to deter thieves and anti-social behaviour.

Rayleigh Town Council has employed Stambridge Security Services Ltd to patrol the high street on market days, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

This is for a trial period in the weeks up to Christmas.

The presence of a security team in the town centre is intended to act as a deterrent against purse thieves and anti-social behaviour and to provide general reassurance to the public.

Stambridge Security’s operators are Security Industry Authority Licensed.

Many hold a full first aid qualification and have the Essex Police Accreditation, which allows them to have low level police powers, similar to Police Community Support Officers, and to share police intelligence directly with Essex Police.

Town Council Chairman, Jack Lawmon said: 'We have been aware for some time that purse snatches happen more often in the run up to Christmas and want to provide a presence in our town centre to prevent this very distressing crime. We know that the police do not have the resources to be present in our High Street at all times and this scheme is intended to be a deterrent to stop criminals coming to Rayleigh. We hope that the public and businesses will tell us how they feel about this, so that we can consider extending the scheme into next year if we feel there is a need for it'.