Great Bardfield Parish Council is taking fast action following a spate of anti-social behaviour with plans to install CCTV in problem areas.

It is also in talks with police, but says it would prefer to resolve the issue within the community by working with families.

Over recent months there have been some issues, including two burglaries of the community pavilion formerly used by the Great Bardfield Youth Club.

The second time, between August 15 and August 31, the front door lock was forced and sweets along with two fire extinguishers were stolen.

Since the incident the youth group has stopped meeting – partly because of a lack of volunteers, and partly because of the break ins.

Katrina Ralston, club chairman, said: “We are going to meet up in the New Year and see if we want to do it again, but I don’t think we will run it like before, we will change it up a bit.

“I have spoken to a few people and we are optimistic that we would be able to start up again next year.

“We were just at tipping point and it tipped us the wrong way. It felt like a personal attack and personal loss, because we put our heart and soul into the club on a volunteer basis.”

On October 3 representatives of the parish council met at Braintree Police Station to discuss the incident, and how to move forward.

Although the details have not been finalised, the parish council would like to install CCTV on the playing fields, to discourage any more crime.

Janet Dyson, parish council chairman, said: “We don’t suffer significantly from anti-social behaviour but we are anxious to nip it in the bud.

“We are working with police and the youth club and have in the past worked with families to resolve issues, and the police are very willing to work with us for that kind of solution.”

Anyone with information about any anti-social behaviour should call Essex Police on 101.