DOZENS of homes in Colchester were repossessed by landlords and mortgage lenders last year, figures show.

Ministry of Justice figures show 39 homes in Colchester were repossessed in 2021, including 36 evictions of renters, and three by mortgage lenders.

This was up from 26 in 2020 but fewer than the 113 in 2019.

Bailiff-enforced evictions were banned for a large part of 2020-21, a measure introduced by the Government to prevent renters from becoming homeless during the pandemic.

The ban was lifted in England on May 31 last year.

The MoJ figures show the number of claims lodged to repossess homes in Colchester also rose last year.

A total of 157 claims to repossess homes the area were lodged by mortgage lenders and landlords.

This was up from 144 in 2020, but below 502 in 2019.

Of the claims lodged last year, 141 were evictions of renters, and 16 by mortgage lenders.

The debt charity StepChange has said more people across the country have lost their homes since the emergency Covid financial measures ended, and says further government support may be needed.

Across England and Wales there were 10,195 repossessions in 2021, which was up from 8,608 the year before.