MP Eleanor Laing is to meet with senior police officers to discuss an increased police presence on the streets of Waltham Abbey after recent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Residents have joined councillors in voicing growing concern for public safety due to a perceived lack of a visible police presence since closure of the police station in Sun Street in 2011.

A mass brawl involving up to 60 people happened in the car park next to the Green Dragon pub on October 11, while three people were attacked nearby seven days later.

People living in the area have complained of regular late-night disruption and the Sun Street Cafe has suffered repeated vandalism, which the owners fear could be racially motivated.

Councillors have called for increased police patrols and now residents have said a lack of uniformed presence is threatening security.

On the impact of the station closure, Mrs Laing said: "I will take it up with the Chief Constable. I will take that very seriously.’

“I know that it is a symbol of policing presence, but actually what we find now is the days when people physically walked to a station to report a crime is over,” she added.

The MP said she had meetings scheduled with police and had faith they would deal with the situation.

"The current government has changed priorities in policing to make sure there are more police officers out and about keeping an eye on things and being available when things happen," she added.

"It is important to have a police presence on our streets and we’re doing our best to increase that.

"I am due to meet them next week and the increase is on the agenda."

No one has been arrested over the recent incidents.

For more on this story, see this week's Guardian - out Thursday