Colchester saw more than 5,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour

A Safer Colchester Partnership report reveals incidents of anti-social behaviour were up 13 per cent over the past year, with 5,600 incidents recorded.

The report added: "This scored highly in terms of risk to both people and property and was backed up by council anti-social behaviour data recording over 17,600 incidents across environmental and neighbourhood teams.

"Racial or religiously aggravated offences saw a 10 per cent increase and hate crime a significant 40 per cent increase in reports on the previous year."

The report, covering crime issues in Colchester over the past year, highlighted a one-punch assault carried out in the town centre, which left the victim hospitalised.

"We know from community feedback that anti-social behaviour has an impact on our communities," it said.

"In some cases, the disruption to life is huge and people become fearful to step outside their own front door.

"Where public space violence also occurs the fear is increased, and we have seen the impact just one incident in the town centre had - a one punch assault where the victim hit their head on a kerb and was hospitalised.

"Police tape and a road closure saw a multitude of social media comments about the town centre being totally unsafe, thus impacting the perception of safety for the wider community.

"As a diverse growing community, we know that hate crime impacts, and affects the confidence of more than the victim.

"As a priority it is the right thing to do. We work together to ensure, as Colchester grows, we are diverse, inclusive and strive for equality."

The report detailed how Essex Police is targetting hate crime as a focus, with the force stating Colchester saw an increase of 57 offences year-on-year.

The force said its community policing team had "identified and targeted key individuals who facilitate disorder".

The report adds: "A partnership approach with licence holders, council, Open Road, street pastors and Royal Military Police provide a significant presence in our town centre to maximise coverage to keep those in the night-time economy safe."

Colchester Council leader David King said the borough "remains a safe place to live, work and visit" as he branded assaults in the city centre "rare, but disturbing".

Colchester Council leader David King

He said: "Overall crime levels are little changed on those before the pandemic and very much down in most categories on crime levels in past decades.

"Any increase in any distorted category is a concern, but the pandemic behaviours, crime patterns and reporting that comparisons over the last few years need to be viewed with care."

Mr King said violence in any form is "unacceptable".

"The violence with injury figures also includes domestic incidents and we expect increased reporting reflects greater victim confidence that the police and their partners will act," he said.

"Town centre incidents are rare but disturbing and we will continue do all we can to ensure the thousands of people who safely enjoy our night-time economy continue to do so."

Reacting to the seizure of weapons and the disruption of drug lines in Colchester, Mr King said: "We should applaud the good work the police do.

"We have an incredible partnership which is the envy of others seeking to tackle crime and the causes of crime.

"Working together, and investing in our communities, as with the recent Safer Streets initiatives, makes us more effective, and gives support to residents."

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Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston, District Commander for Colchester said: "Our teams work alongside our Safer Colchester Partners and others to ensure that Colchester remains a safe place to live work and visit. 

"We are proud of the diversity of our city and the range of attractions on offer that encourage so many people to enjoy our city and rural areas. 

“Just last month Essex Police reached an all-time record strength with more officers protecting and serving Essex, including investment in the town centre team here in Colchester

“Violence in all its forms is a priority for Essex Police and we are focussed on providing the right support for victims and actively target offenders through a number of approaches.

"These include working closely with our partners where we share information to identify local needs and deliver policing initiatives to tackle crime.

“Our focus has been on high harm offences where we prioritise issues that have the greatest risk of threat or harm to an individual or our communities. We will continue to engage with and listen to the public on issues which matter most to them through engagement opportunities.”