VIOLENT Crime has fallen dramatically in the Colchester district.

Latest figures on the Essex Police crime mapping website reveal the number of robberies across the district halved, from 12 in June 2008, to just six in June this year.

Other violent crime, including assaults, also fell slightly, by 1.3 per cent over the same period.

Colchester district commander Ch Insp Adrian Coombs said: “I’m delighted crime has fallen across most areas in Colchester. It is especially pleasing to see the number of robberies and violent crimes are down across the district, as well as in the town centre.”

Mr Coombs also praised his officers for their work to reduce household burglaries, but admitted there is still work to do concerning burglaries carried out on sheds and garages.

He said between April and June 2008, there were 135 household burglaries, compared to 116 in the same period this year, a drop of 14 per cent.

He added: “It is disappointing to see other burglary offences have risen, with 164 incidents recorded between April and June last year and 223 in the same period this year.

“We will be working to make sure this is a trend that does not continue, and have just launched Operation Fallback, which involves us raising awareness of keeping outbuildings, garages and caravans locked.

“Officers also regularly keep an eye out for unsecured properties.”

In the rest of North Essex, results were varied. Crime in Clacton’s Pier ward is up by 11.4 per cent compared to the year before, going from an average 117 reported crimes per month to 130.

In Tendring district, crime was up 5 per cent, with robberies, burglaries, violence, vehicle crime and antisocial behaviour all on the rise. The rise centred on central and east Clacton, with increases of 9.8 and 9.9 per cent respectively.

Figures contrast with Essex as a whole, which saw a drop of 6.5 per cent. Reported crime in Braintree was down 5.7 per cent, in Maldon down 2 per cent, and Witham down 13.1 per cent.