AN MP has held crunch talks with one of north Essex’s top cops to work out how to improve policing in her constituency.

Witham’s Priti Patel says she had a productive meeting with Chief Supt Andy Mariner, the new commander of the North Essex Local Policing Area, amid concerns about increasing levels of crime.

The discussions centred on the extra numbers of police available after the Government awarded Essex Police an extra £1.7million in funding.

The additional cash has been issued to help the force crack down on knife crime and so-called ‘county lines’ drugs gangs, which are said to be branching out into a number of Essex towns.

Following the meeting, which was held at Braintree police station, Ms Patel said she was confident some of the money would be invested in policing Witham and the surrounding villages.

She said: “Law and order across the Witham constituency and Essex is a key issue for me and I know that it is for my constituents.

“Andy and I had a very positive discussion about a range of the key law and order issues, including local policing priorities, anti-social behaviour, business and rural crime, domestic abuse and special constables.

“Having personally helped to secure an additional £23million for Essex Police last year, it was pleasing to hear that this is bearing fruit in terms of increased resources to tackle crime, not just in Witham but across the county.

“I will continue to work hard on this issue, liaising with Essex Police to ensure that we have the right levels of policing in Witham to keep our community safe for law-abiding people to live in.”