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 centre This work and achievement appears not to have been recognised.

A no-go area is defined as an somewhere that suffers from high levels of crime and violence. Colchester has made significant year-on-year reductions in crime, particularly around the town centre, and knife crime and serious assault are not common place.

On an average night, a wealth of people from all walks of life, age and diversity visit Colchester to enjoy the town centre.

The majority of these people leave having had an enjoyable evening.

There are, however, a small minority of people who visit intent on ruining other people’s experiences. These individuals are not welcome and often come to the notice of the police.

Over the past two years, this type of behaviour has reduced significantly, but Colchester still faces the challenges of any town in the country around alcohol and its associated behaviour.

Two-and-a-half years ago, I was appointed as the Colchester district commander.

One of my priorities was to reduce incidents of antisocial behaviour and violence in and around the town centre.

As part of this work, several groups were set up with key influential people around the town, including the police, licensees and other partners to look at the issues and to come up with solutions.

Colchester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership supported the idea of an SOS Bus, and Peter Carrington, from Colchester Council, and I spent many months sponsoring the idea and canvassing for support and finances.

At the launch of the bus, we raised about £340,000, negotiated a bus from First Buses at no cost and recruited a co-ordinator and 100-plus volunteers. This bus has assisted in reducing antisocial behaviour and crime by using early intervention tactics and talking to people.

A Street Pastor scheme was commissioned two years ago and has a healthy membership of volunteers willing to work until the early hours on a weekend in the town centre.

The police and the partnership, supported by Colchester Council, have worked closely to ban offenders from the town under the Behave or Be Banned scheme and had recently included the provision of antisocial behaviour contracts to some offenders.

These are just a few of the many activities that take place throughout the year. In recent months, many people have commented on the changes they have seen in the town centre.

Violent crime and antisocial behaviour have reduced significantly and work will continue to reduce this further. A robust approach is taken with licensees who flout the laws, but I’ve always been impressed with their desire to work and support us in improving the town’s image.

In recent months, MP Bob Russell spent time working on the SOS bus, and seemed pleasantly surprised by the good nature of those using the town.

This is of no surprise to me and many people have commented the town has improved significantly and the majority of people who visit enjoy themselves.

The police and the council cannot afford to be complacent and will tirelessly continue in their determination and resolve to improve the town centre even more. Working with partners is key to this success in order that appropriate strategies are drawn up to deter poor behaviour.

Tough sentencing impacts on this type of behaviour and sends out a clear message that drunken violent behaviour will not be tolerated.