Concerns as police report on prisons warns of increased crime

TWO proposed 'mega prisons' could spark an increase in organised crime in the area, according to a police report.

Campaigners with the Stop Wethersfield Airfield Prisons group (SWAP) say towns like Braintree and Halstead will suffer the consequences if plans for the former RAF Wethersfield Airbase go ahead.

It comes after SWAP submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Ministry of Justice to find the results of the Government’s consultation.

Documents released by the Government include a report by Essex Police.

In the report, the force says: “The development of two new prison establishments is likely to attract additional organised crime group-related activity such as staff infiltration, throw overs, serious violence amongst gangs and organised crime groups and the progression of organised crime activity within the confines of the prison.”

The report has sparked concerns by SWAP over the impact the prisons could have on the surrounding towns and villages.

The reports says: “This development will attract a higher number of people to the general area.

“This influx of activity will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of calls for police service in response to reports of crime and antisocial behaviour.

“Whilst it is not possible to place a metric on the number or type of crimes or behaviour at this point, the sheer scale of the development would suggest the need for a considered policing response to avoid critical impact on the policing response in the wider north Essex area, including the city of Chelmsford and towns including Colchester and Braintree.”

The report also highlights the negative impact the development will have on surrounding roads, saying: “The network of roads is not suitable to cope with the increased level of traffic during the construction or post-opening phase of the project without improvements.”

SWAP chair Alan MacKenzie said: “Essex Police has highlighted the likely influx of organised crime groups into Braintree as a consequence of the prisons being built, as well as the increased dangers on the rural roads as a consequence of construction traffic and the heavy goods vehicles which would blight the district forever more.

“The police rightly say who is going to pay for the extra resources that this crimewave and increased traffic accidents will require – the answer is local taxpayers.”

A Prison Service spokesman said: "We have not made a decision regarding submitting a planning application for RAF Wethersfield as a new prison.

"We will continue to inform and consult local residents on any future plans for the site."