THE Neighbourhood Watch for Essex met at an annual meeting last week to discuss keeping the county safe.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, congratulated Clive Stewart for being elected chairman for a second year.

Mr Stewart is now also the chair of the Braintree District Neighbourhood Watch.

In his report, Mr Stewart said: "We all have had many face to face meetings with Essex Police since May 2015, this included attending tasking meetings and planning of “Active Citizens” operations.

"At the beginning of my term as Chairman I did request all District Co-ordinators should have regular meetings with their Essex Police District Commanders, which they did have.

"Now we all acknowledge Essex Police has had funding drastically cut and they have had to change their ways of operating to keep within their new budgets.

"Also Essex Police’s priorities have been based on challenging and various demands so we must support them in whatever way we can."

He said his vision for next year includes a theme of 'better communication is they key'.

He said: "I believe in Neighbourhood Watch in that we do reduce the opportunity for crime.

"I believe we all do what we can with the time we have to make our community safer."

If anyone requires information on the Braintree Neighbourhood Watch they can email braintreewsg@btinternet.com.