COLCHESTER Council bosses say residents are being let down by police who are failing to respond to serious incidents in Colchester.

The warning, sounded by Colchester Council boss Paul Smith, comes after police conceded they have been unable to identify a gang caught on camera attacking a park warden.

The warden was kicked and punched a number of times as he locked the gates to Castle Park near to Middle Mill.

Police were called to scene, shortly after 8pm on April 10, but no officers were available to attend.

They did, however, speak to the victim later in the evening.

Now, after reviewing CCTV footage detectives have not been able to identify any of the perpetrators because the images are so poor - despite a £45,000 upgrade of the town’s network.

Mr Smith, Colchester Council leader, said: “We have upgraded CCTV cameras in the areas of high concentration, such as in High Street and Head Street and those cameras which were there have been relocated to other areas of the town so it is fair to say the town centre cameras are of a higher quality.”

He added: “In terms of the assault, obviously it is disappointing the police have been unable to identify the perpetrators of this serious attack.

“It is frustrating and we at the council are concerned about the limited police presence in Colchester and have been taking the issue up not just with senior police officers but also the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“We have had a number of conversations with Colchester District Commander Elliot Judge and we have got a date in the diary for a meeting with Roger Hirst to visit Colchester and speak to the cabinet.

“We are concerned not just about this incident but other incidents which have attracted a very limited police response.”

Mr Smith also cited an attack which saw a 51-year-old man beaten while trying to gather evidence of anti-social behaviour in a park which runs between Juniper Way, in Greenstead, and Harwich Road, in April.

The attack was reported to Essex Police by an eyewitness but no officers were available to attend.

Mr Smith added: “We are talking about responses to serious attacks in Colchester.

“We are concerned about the reduction in the community policing team in Colchester which took place nine months ago.

“Since then, we have noticed an increase in the number of times where police have been unable to respond or have been slow to respond.”

He added: “It really is concerning for us as a council we are feeling let down by the police.

“We know police officers themselves are trying hard to provide the best service but there doesn’t seem to be enough of them to do the job at the moment.”

Essex Police Chief Insp Danielle Booth said: “The police response to incidents must be based on the level of threat, harm and risk in order to safeguard the most vulnerable.

“If there is a decision to be made between sending an officer to a report of an assault where the suspect has left the scene or sending them to reports of a domestic incident where the victim is being attacked, the decision has to be the officer is sent to the incident where there is the most risk of harm.

“All victims of crime will have their offence investigated but how quickly an officer is dispatched has to be based on the information known at the time." She added police had not attended the Greenstead attack immediately because it was understood the victim was on his way to hospital.

She said the investigation continues and urged anyone with information to call police on 101.