A public meeting concerning how policing can be improved was held by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council on Wednesday night.

The meeting was organised by district councillor Aniket Patel at Buckhurst Hill Library, Queen’s Road, in the wake of growing concerns from residents over increasing crime.

Residents were giving the opportunity to discuss the primary issues with the officers from police resources to knife crime and parking issues.

County councillor Valerie Metcalfe and district councillor Jo Share-Bernia also attended alongside district police Commander Chief Inspector Lewis Basford.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Patel, said: "I’m grateful to Chief Inspector Basford for working with me in arranging the meeting and listening to the views of Buckhurst Hill residents on crime.”

Chief Inspector Basford outlined how Essex Police will be addressing issues such as knife crime, drug dealing, legal 'highs' and general anti-social behaviour.

The emergency service will be working more closely with British Transport Police and neighbouring forces on joint operations to tackle such incidents.

Essex Police has also recently increased their funding, leading to more of frontline officers present across the district, including Police Community Support Officers and Special Constables.

Emphasis was also stressed that residents should report all crime incidents to help officers target 'black-spots' of criminal activity.

Chief Inspector Basford was also confident extra police presence will result in a decrease in crime and enable more arrests to be carried out.

Cllr Patel said: "I’ve questioned Mr Basford at district council scrutiny panels, where we have received presentations on policing within Epping Forest, and I find that he answers questions honestly and sincerely, even if his answers are not what we want to hear.

"I am warmed to hear his vision of what community policing should look like and I look forward to working with him to ensure the residents of the Epping Forest district are kept safe.”