Council boss calls for public to help police solve violent crimes

Two burglars broke into a house in Sterling Close, Colchester, shortly before 10pm on Sunday.

They hit a man so hard with the bat he was left with a broken arm, cuts and serious bruising all over his body.

The pair made off with jewellery.

Police want anybody who was in the road at the time, or nearby President Road to contact them on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/59009/18.

Information can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

The burglary is the latest in a series of violent crimes in the area.

Police launched a murder investigation after rough sleeper Martin Dines, 56, was found dead in St Mary’s Car Park on Monday.

Ash’s Convenience Express in Colchester Road, West Bergholt, was raided by robbers armed with guns on Tuesday and late on Wednesday night a man was stabbed in the back in Laing Road, Colchester, in what police described as a targeted street attack.

An elderly man was also left bloodied in his home in Chaplin Road, East Bergholt, on Saturday night by a gang armed with batons.

Colchester Council’s public safety boss Mike Lilley (Lab) admitted he was concerned about the spate and asked people to help police where they could.

He said: “I know the police are working very hard but they need the public’s help with information.

“Even the slightest bit - the police will decide whether it is important or not.

“They need help from the public and we all need to work together to make sure Colchester is safe and continues to be the welcoming place we know it is.”

Mr Lilley added: “It is worrying times.

“Are criminals getting braver because they think there are less police officers around or are they getting more desperate?

“We know there are drug issues not just in Colchester but in Tendring, Braintree and Uttlesford - are these crimes drug related in some way?

“We will ask the police to do their analysis and see what they can come up with.”