A POLICING boss has welcomed a grant worth more than £20,000 being awarded to Colchester Council to tackle gang violence and recruitment in the town.

The authority has been given the money by the Department for Work and Pensions and it will be used to employ a full-time community safety support worker for one year to work with vulnerable adults at risk of falling in with London drug gangs.

Volunteer ex-gang members will also be recruited to take part in the scheme.

DI Jim White, who heads up a police operation in north Essex targeting drug sales, said: “This funding will be a key weapon in our armoury when it comes to fighting gang crime and drugs dealing in Colchester.

“The funding will help employ a person to intervene, try to break the cycle at its early stages and prevent people becoming involved with drugs gangs, diverting them onto a worthwhile path in life.

“Whilst Essex Police provides the enforcement, we need the support of the partnership to complement our activity.

“This will really help.”