The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many areas of our day-to-day lives.

Not all of the changes brought about by decreased social contact are negative.

An Essex Police spokesman said crime in Colchester had fallen by 11 per cent in the year to the end of January.

He said: "Overall crime in Colchester continues to fall as the district remains a safe place to live, work, and study.

"We’ve seen fewer violence with injury offences, sexual offences, robberies, burglaries, vehicle break-ins, and vehicle thefts in the last year.

"And many of these crime types were falling even before the Covid-19 pandemic."

Which areas of crime have seen a drop over the past year?

• 208 fewer violence with injury offences – a drop of 11 percent 

• 126 fewer sexual offences – a drop of nearly 19 percent.

• 41 fewer robberies – a drop of more than 25 percent 

• 431 fewer burglaries – a drop of 39 percent 

• 198 fewer vehicle break-ins – a drop of more than 40 percent 

• 47 vehicle thefts – a drop of nearly 17 percent.

The force spokesman added: "Throughout the pandemic our officers have continued to be out across the county, protecting and serving Essex.

"They continue to carry out positive, proactive work to take drugs and weapons off our streets, carrying out warrants and dismantling entire county lines gangs.

"This is highlighted by the increase in the number of drugs offences we’ve recorded.

"And we continue to invest to support victims, protect vulnerable people, tackle violence, and increase visibility."

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He added: "Our force continues to grow and by March we will have more than 3,369 brave men and women keeping you safe.

"Through our innovative ‘We Value Difference’ recruitment campaign we’re attracting people from more diverse backgrounds so our force looks like the communities we represent.

"On top of that, we have the second largest Special Constabulary in the country and that’s growing too."