Councillors have expressed their "disappointment" after Maldon's policing team failed to attend a meeting where they were set to update members on what they have been doing in the town.

Speaking at a town council meeting last night (Monday, 13 December), Councillor Mark Heard said: "Once again, we don't have the police. I think we should show our disappointment."

The town council has subsidised one special sergeant and two special constables since the end of last year, who serve the town as voluntary officers.

The scheme, unique to Essex Police, requires officers to carry out patrols in Maldon to help identify and address local issues of concern.

They are invited to update members on policing in Maldon at each monthly town council meeting, but have not turned up since July.

Jane Coleman, the town clerk, said: "We try quite hard to get them to turn up."

She provided a statement from an inspector at Essex Police, who said: "This is not something I would be able to facilitate every month as I don't have the resources."

He said ensuring officers attend each meeting would mean he would have to do the same for all parish and town councils across the district.

He pointed to the live question and answer sessions the force occasionally holds on Facebook, alongside the "coffee with cops" meetings that allow residents to meet officers in café's on specified dates to raise concerns.

He added: "If residents have questions, keep an eye on Facebook."

Councillor Heard said: "I find it unsatisfactory that they expect people to go online.

"I also don't particularly like the idea of coffee with a cop. If someone has something they want to tell the police, I imagine they would like some privacy.

"It's not good enough."

While he said he understands officers may not be able to attend every meeting, he criticised the lack of written update to substitute for their absence.

"It's the same with the written report," he said. "Otherwise what's the point in us doing what we're doing?"

As the officers did not attend the meeting nor provide a written report, no update on local crime was available at the meeting.

Chief Inspector Steve Scott Haynes, district commander for Maldon and Chelmsford at Essex Police, said: "Maldon continues to be a safe part of a safe county.

"In the year to the end of November, the number of crimes reported fell compared to the previous 12 months.

"Reports of violence with injury offences and sexual offences were down.

"We've seen 30 per cent fewer burglaries while thefts of and from vehicles continue to reduce.

"My officers are out across the district every day, helping you, keeping you safe, and catching criminals.

"Where we are invited to speak to elected members about this work we endeavour to attend in person to give an insight into the activity taking place to protect and serve our communities and to take questions about specific issues.

"Regrettably, it is not always possible to attend in person due to ongoing operational demands and activity.

"Where it is not possible, we will provide a written update and will try to meet with councillors, partners and the public across the district to understand your concerns and address any issues.

"We also send out a monthly newsletter which provides updates to our local authority partners."

UPDATED at 15:57, 15/12/2021: This article has been updated to add a statement from Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes.