A dispersal order has been put in place covering Colchester town centre to prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour this weekend.

The order will be in place between 6pm today and 6pm on Sunday, October 17.

There have now been five dispersal orders implemented across weekends in Colchester since the start of August.

Inspector Jon Evans, from the Colchester Community Policing Team, said: “We’re putting this order in place to ensure anyone working or going to Colchester town centre to enjoy themselves, can do so safely.

“We are taking this precautionary measure to prevent anti-social behaviour happening, especially ASB related to alcohol. Violence, drunkenness and ASB are not signs of a good night out, they are things that will spoil people’s fun and someone could get hurt.

“We want everyone to be safe, and prevention is the best way forward, hence the dispersal order.

“Incidents don’t just have an impact of a few people, businesses and venues in the town centre suffer too from alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

“We will be watching for those who may be intent on spoiling everyone’s fun, ultimately putting themselves and others’ safety at risk.

“This order will allow officers to move people suspected of causing anti-social behaviour from the town centre and previous orders have been very successful.”

The order comes after a 22-year-old man was left with a fractured eye, jaw and nose following a disturbance in the town centre last Saturday, October 9.

Police are probing the incident, which took place in Colchester High Street.

A spokesman said: "We were called to the High Street shortly before 7.55pm with reports a large group of people had been fighting before running off.

"Officers quickly arrived on scene and found a 22-year-old man with injuries to his face. He was taken to hospital for treatment for a fractured eye, jaw and nose."

Anyone with information, or mobile phone or dash cam footage, can contact Colchester CID quoting reference 42/225455/21.

Speak to an online operator at essex.police.uk between 7am-11pm or call 101.

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