POLICE upped patrols on streets around Colchester over the weekend after a spate of late-night robberies.

Officers were called to four reports of robberies and attempted robberies around the town over Friday night and Saturday morning.

As a result Essex Police put on extra patrols of The Hythe and New Town on Saturday and Sunday night.

The first incident happened in Hickory Avenue shortly before 11pm on Friday, when a man was approached by a group of around ten to 15 men.

They surrounded him and one man produced a knife before demanding money.

The victim pushed the suspect and ran away. Nothing was stolen.

Officers were called to a second incident at Hythe Station at around 1.30am on Saturday morning.

Two men, who were with two women, approached a man and pulled out a knife. They got away with a wallet and a phone.

A third incident happened at 2.15am in Winnock Road when a man was approached by five or six boys and had his phone stolen at knifepoint.

The fourth incident happened at 2.30am on Hythe Hill when a man was approached by men holding a knife.

He pushed the man away and ran from the scene.

No one was injured in any of the incidents.

Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Hammett said: “We have a zero tolerance stance on this type of behaviour and these incidents are not acceptable. Our detectives are working with the victims in each incident to identify the suspects involved.”

Michael Lilley (Lab), councillor for Old Heath and the Hythe Ward said that it is a worrying trend.

He said: “We do need more police presence on the streets, but there aren’t enough police officers to cope.

“The cuts are really starting to bite in and we’ve seen this in the rise in crime in Colchester “Is a worrying trend and I believe that there should be more resources made available to the police so they can deal with stuff like this.”

Annie Feltham (Lib), councillor for New Town said: “It’s frightening we can’t walk around and feel safe in our own town. We know police resources have been cut but it really is important both as a deterrent to make people feel safer.”

Anyone with information should call DS Stuart Knight at Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.