Extra Night Marshal patrols for Chelmsford city centre after knife crime funding
Home Office cash will pay for an extra night of patrols in the city centre each week
Last updated 28th Sep 2026
Night Marshals are now patrolling Chelmsford city centre an extra night each week after the city council secured Home Office funding to tackle violence and disorder.
The accredited marshals were out in the city centre on both Friday and Saturday night this weekend for the first time, rather than Saturdays alone.
The money comes from the Knife Crime Concentration Fund, a Home Office initiative that supports local plans in the areas most affected by knife crime.
Chelmsford was identified as one of 230 areas most affected by knife crime in England and Wales, with the High Street named as the city's hotspot.
Chelmsford City Council and Essex Police worked together on a proposal to tackle the drivers behind violence and weapons offences in the area.
The funding will pay for increased visible guardianship, prevention and education work, youth work, environmental improvements, work with venue security staff, a public-awareness campaign, and knife protection and anti-spiking equipment for businesses.
The council says police data shows knife crime in Chelmsford is targeted, with offences predominantly linked to county lines drug activity and exploitation, affecting a very small number of people.
It says violent crime is concentrated around the nighttime economy, with heightened risk on Fridays and Saturdays between 8pm and 3am, and tends to be driven by a combination of alcohol and crowd convergence.
The council says partnership work between the city council, Essex Police and the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit has led to a 35.9% reduction in serious violence year-on-year, with a particular improvement in the ward of Moulsham and Central.
Councillor Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "Chelmsford has a busy nighttime economy and our 13 consecutive years of Purple Flag status, along with our ground-breaking Women's Safety Charter, show that we take the safety of those enjoying the city's nightlife very seriously.
"We have seen a 35.9% reduction in violent crime compared to last year and the Knife Crime Concentration Fund will allow us to expand on the great work we're already doing. Chelmsford City Council and Essex Police have designed an impactful, holistic, and sustainable programme of preventative interventions, based on our collective understanding of our city, and I am looking forward to seeing its impact over the coming months and beyond."
The city council and Chelmsford's Business Improvement District, Chelmsford For You, have funded Saturday night patrols by the marshals since January 2026, following a six-month pilot funded by the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
The marshals will now be in the city centre every Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am, patrolling the High Street and surrounding areas, and are identifiable by their hi-vis purple vests.
Under their CSAS accreditation, the marshals have powers to combat crime and disorder, public nuisance and anti-social behaviour, and are in direct contact with the council's CCTV operators and Essex Police via radio.
The wider project is set to be delivered by the council and Essex Police over the next 12 months.
Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: "Since 2019, we've seen knife crime in Essex reduce by about a quarter and the number of people going into hospital with knife wounds has almost halved. Thankfully, the number of people losing their lives has fallen by even more. Working in partnership on projects like this plays a huge part in helping to keep people and the wider community safe."