Night marshals to patrol city centre at weekends

Night marshals will patrol Chelmsford on both Friday and Saturday nights to help prevent knife crime.

They were out on the High Street and surrounding areas, between 22:00 and 04:00 BST, for the first time on Friday.

Chelmsford City Council had already been funding marshals on Saturday evenings since January, before deciding to increase their presence earlier.

"We take the safety of those enjoying the city's nightlife very seriously," said Liberal Democrat councillor Natacha Dudley.

The High Street has been identified as Chelmsford's hotspot for violence and weapons-related offences.

Councillors hoped the presence of marshals, who do not have powers of arrest, would help to prevent violence and disorder.

It is a separate scheme to the Essex County Council-funded Operation Vanguard, which has led to security patrols in areas frequently visited by asylum seekers.

The city council said the scheme would be paid for by the Home Office, but did not reveal how much money it was awarded.

Dudley, the council's cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said of the patrols: "I am looking forward to seeing its impact over the coming months and beyond."

There were 284 violent or sexual offences reported in central Chelmsford in July, according to the latest police figures.

In comparison, there were 259 in July 2025.

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