By CHIEF INSP ADRIAN COOMBS COLCHESTER is not a “no-go area”. The remark (by a judge during a court hearing) undermines the hard work which has taken place over the past two years to reduce violent crime and drunken behaviour in the town
COPS should cut antisocial behaviour, not just change job titles, an MP has said. Douglas Carswell, MP for Clacton and Harwich, said: “There has been a 10 per cent rise in crime in central Clacton, so we need action, not just PR.” Essex
POLICE constables have been appointed Neighbourhood Specialist Officers in a bid to break down barriers with residents. Ten Colchester officers have been allocated areas where they will work with the community to tackle crime and resolve issues. They
I want to express my support for Wyatt Wendels My View (Gazette, Sept 25). While his article focused on the cycle lanes that circle Colchester, I am a commuter more concerned with the dismal experience of Cycling in the town centre. Put
A COLCHESTER man, who has written stories for his family, has now had his first book published. Steve Sparrow, 57, of Belmont Crescent, who was a navigator in the Merchant Navy, has penned the Wooden Tiger. It tells the story of three friends who help
A LONG-AWAITED community centre could finally get off the ground after plans were approved by councillors. Proposals put forward by Tiptree Parish Council for the centre, off Caxton Close, Tiptree, have been unanimously approved by Colchester Council
THOUSANDS of illegal immigrants risk their lives every year trying to get into the UK. They can pay anything up to £30,000 to be smuggled into the country with the hope of a better life. The reality, however, is far different, particularly for women
PLANS to boost trade at a Colchester retail park are to go ahead, despite road safety concerns. Colchester Council approved proposals for a cafe and restaurant, at Sheepen Road Retail Park, without a discussion, even though opponents fear
PATIENTS have criticised a decision to close a drop-in centre. Oak House, in Maldon Road, Colchester, was shut as part of a shake-up of mental health services. The centre, provided by voluntary organisation Colchester Mind, helped people suffering or
MORE than 200 people tripped the light fantastic at a tea dance to celebrate UK Older People’s Day. The senior citizens, including guests of honour 101-year-old Eileen Knevette and X Factor contestant William Hooper, 82, danced to the Swing
I was very annoyed to read your article regarding the parking issues surrounding the new Waitrose store in Colchester. It seems to me the residents of St Andrew’s Avenue clearly don’t have much to do with their time if they feel the need to complain
A VISIT by Colchester United’s mascot and some artistic jean-ius helped a school raise cash for charity. Eddie the Eagle joined pupils from the town’s Birch Primary School to mark Jeans for Genes Day, a national charity drive in which schools
A COUNCIL’S arrangements to ensure taxpayers get value for money for resources have been criticised as “woeful”, following a new report. But the acting chief executive of Maldon District Council, Fiona Marshall, said the “disappointing” verdict was only
Coming back from a visit to Carlisle and walking down the High Street in Colchester, I could have wept. Up there, in the so-called depressed North, I found a buzzing town, full of people shopping, or sitting on the numerous benches under the
A SCHEME which makes use of empty shop buildings is in the running for a prestigious award and cash prize. Slack Space Colchester was launched, in February, by a group of local artists, musicians and performers, keen to utilise vacant store space in
ANGRY residents say noisy and disruptive roadworks are making them feel “under siege” in their own homes. Pelican crossing and drainage works, on the A120, at Bradwell, have been taking place since August, often until the early hours of the morning.
Step by step. Colchester United defender John White has revealed manager Aidy Boothroyd has urged his team not get carried away – despite their eye-catching form. The 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the Weston Homes Community Stadium made it six games
YOUNGSTERS from Clacton took part in the national Street Athletics event, organised by British Olympic star Linford Christie. They qualified after Linford held heats, at Clacton’s Pier Avenue, in the summer. About 200 runners took part in a series of
FITNESS fanatics are gearing up for the Harwich Discovery Run. The charity event, which takes place on October 17, is expected to attract as many as 400 runners from Holland, who will line up against entrants from closer to home. Participants can enter
SOUL man Olly Murs is a step closer to his dream of stardom after being picked for the finals of ITV talent show X Factor. Viewers watched as Olly, 25, was whisked to music mogul Simon Cowell’s Los Angeles pad to compete against five other contestants
