Man assaulted and window smashed in Colchester town centre

A window in the former Patisserie Valerie shop, in Sir Isaac’s Walk, Colchester, was also smashed during the incident as it unfolded.

Police officers descended upon the scene after a man in his fifties claimed he had been struck in St Johns Walk shortly before 10.20am on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Gazette, the alleged victim, who requested to remain anonymous, explained he stepped in to help a woman on a bicycle after the purported attacker “went for” her.

He said: “I went to her aid and then, following this, he kicked the shop window in. He then went for me, shouting abuse and making threats.

“I then called the police who later arrived and a police van took him away.”

Boarded up - the Patisserie Valerie site has since been made safe

It is understood the alleged attacker continued the reported rampage in Poundstretcher, in St Johns Street, before spilling onto the streets.

A 62-year-old man was arrested by police officers upon their arrival.

The window in the former cakes and pastries shop, Patisserie Valerie, which ran into financial difficulties in 2019, has since been boarded up after Wednesday’s incident.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are investigating a reported assault in Colchester after a man in his fifties reported being assaulted.

“It was reported a window of a nearby business was also damaged.

“A 62-year-old man was arrested but then later told he faced no further action.

“We need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to contact us.”

If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the live chat button to speak to a police operator between 7am and 11pm.

You can also call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You should quote the crime reference number 42/152899/22 in any report made.