News 13 December to 19 December
Colchester is a popular place for a night out with bars and nightclubs attracting people from all over the county and beyond. And as the party season begins, everyone should feel safe to enjoy themselves.
Our licensing teams continue to carry out their proactive work with the county's pubs and clubs, advising them on how to spot the signs of potential drink spiking. They also talk to them about the actions they could take to help prevent this from happening, and provide useful tips for those out in drinking establishments.
Wanted driver arrested
Carrying out proactive patrols across Colchester as part of our Christmas drink drive campaign, “Team Essex” arrest a driver wanted on recall to prison
On Sunday 10 December, officers from Colchester’s Local Policing Team (LPT) led officers from teams from across the force in a day of action to tackle drink drivers, in support of our Christmas drink drive campaign – Drink Drive. Together we can stop it.
LPT worked alongside Operational Support Group and Road Crime Team officers to tackle criminality on the roads within the district.
The proactive high visibility patrols saw two significant arrests: one person was arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent, failing to stop for police and dangerous driving. When officers stopped the car, a search of the vehicle found a large quantity of cash and and the driver was further arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
A second person as arrested after officers from the co-ordinated response team stopped a car on suspicion of drink drive. Roadside enquiries revealed the driver was wanted on a recall to prison.
 Colchester businessman celebrates 40 years of voluntary service
S/Supt Howard Rayner was presented with a Lord Ferrers letter of recognition to mark four decades of outstanding public service.
Howard, 67, has combined his voluntary police work with his career as the managing director of a tile company in Colchester.
Officers arrest another 24 on suspicion of shoplifting
15 were subsequently charged with theft offences and other related matters.
Six people were arrested in each of the Harlow and Southend districts between Monday 4 and Sunday 10 December for shop theft, three were arrested in each of the Colchester and Tendring districts and one in each of Basildon, Braintree, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Epping Forest and Thurrock.
Colchester Neighbourhood Watch
Colchester Neighbourhood watch aims to bring neighbours together to create communities where crime and anti-social behaviour are less likely to happen. The vision is of a caring society in which people are safe from crime and enjoy a good quality of life.
When you join Neighbourhood Watch, you will be advised by email of the crime happening in Colchester and how you can prevent yourself and others from being a victim of crime
Community Inspector's Blog
Inspector Sonia Mirrington-French
I will start this week with a positive story as I was very pleased to be out on Wednesday this week, delivering presents to schools to give to over 400 children within our communities as part of the Giving Tree Project. This is such a great initiative that brings communities together in supporting each other and ensuring that every child has something to open this Christmas. I know that this takes a lot to organise by my officers each year but the reward in doing so is massive, so again a big thank you from me to everyone who has contributed to this project this year.
We do have some presents left over, so if you would like to nominate a child who you feel would benefit from this please get in touch
We are increasing the number of officers on hi-visibility patrol over the weekends leading up to Christmas and have a number of different safety operations being implemented over Friday ad Saturday nights. These include the safe spaces initiative whereby we will have officers stationed at the top of the high street, as well as OP SLED which focusses on reducing harm to vulnerable persons. Please stop and say hello to our officers and make them aware of any individual or activity you feel uncomfortable with whilst you are out enjoying the festivities. We will also have a number of specialist trained officers in plain clothes who are experts in identifying people who are out to commit crime and we will not hesitate to take action against anyone causing anti-social behaviour or committing crime and ruining the experience for everyone else.
As predicted in my last two blogs, we have seen an increase in acquisitive crime in the city centre, in particular theft from motor vehicle. I cannot stress enough not to leave your valuables on display inside your vehicle and please pass this message on to everyone you know. Although thieves may still break into your vehicle regardless if what is on display, please still take crime prevention cautions yourself to reduce the likelihood of your vehicle being broken into. I have increased policing patrols around the city centre car parks as a deterrent, as has the city council and we will investigate those offences that have occurred already in order to identify offenders and bring them to justice.
Crime prevention advice
As we get nearer to the Christmas break, please ensure you look after each other and look out for people in your communities, especially those who are vulnerable and may not have other family or friends to look out for them. We do experience higher levels of crime and it is important we are all vigilant and doing everything we can to protect each other. You can always contact your local Neighbourhood watch if you would like to be more involved in what is happening locally in your neighbourhood.
Do not forget that if you are buying new valuables over the festive season, you can register your property at Immobilise for free.
There is so much going on that I cannot cover everything in my blog, but I hope that this gives an understanding and flavour as to what the team have been doing. If you want more information about anything in this blog or want to get in touch about an initiative or something else then please email.
You can also follow us on Facebook
I wish you all a very safe weekend and a merry Christmas
Inspector Mirrington-French
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Saturday 23 December 10.30am to 12pm
Tescos Highwoods Square, Highwoods, Colchester
Wednesday 27 December 11.30am to 12.30pm
Mersea Island Methodist Church , Mill Road, West Mersea, Essex,
Thursday 28 December 10.30am to 11.30am
University of Essex , Zest Cafe
Saturday 30 December 11am to 1pm
Poplar Nurseries Ltd, Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, Colchester
 Shed security
Bikes and large tools are amongst the most common items stolen from a shed.
Help keep them secure by using a ground anchor or shackle.
Be fraud smart
Identity fraud, or ‘ID theft’, involves the use of a person’s stolen details to commit crime. Many victims never find out exactly how someone got hold of their details, and clearing things up afterwards can be costly and stressful.
 Question : What can I do to safeguard possessions in my vehicle?
Firstly, it is preferable not to leave any possessions or valuables in your vehicle, unless this is unavoidable. If you need to leave any belongings in your vehicle keep them out of sight as much as possible, for example in the boot or glove box. Your vehicle is more likely to be targeted by thieves if they are aware there are valuable goods in it. This is especially the case at Christmas when people may leave presents in their cars.
A technique that is becoming increasingly common is where thieves gain access to vehicles using devices that block the signals sent by the remotes/key fobs that control their central locking systems. High-tech anti-theft systems have caused some drivers to become complacent and they subsequently don't check that the doors have actually locked. Many central locking systems and alarms are now activated by remotes that use radio frequencies - thieves are now using this to their advantage.
They can use certain everyday devices that utilise similar frequencies to jam the signal from the remote so the car remains unlocked. Some of these devices work continuously and so if left hidden in a bush for example, they can effectively block the signals across an entire street. Once the owner has walked away, they then enter the unlocked vehicle and remove any goods that are left inside. The thieves rely on the fact that car owners are often distracted, with some operating the remote as they are walking away. Drivers tend to assume that the remote will have worked and the car will be locked.
You should always take note of the indicator lights flashing or the noise of the doors locking. As an extra precaution, it is advisable to always physically check that the doors are locked. However, in case you do happen to become a victim of this type of theft, you should ensure that you have good insurance cover for your vehicle. Some victims have found they are not insured, as it leaves no proof that the car has been broken into.
In summary, when you leave your vehicle:
- Always remove the ignition key and make sure the steering lock is on.
- Close all the windows completely but never leave children or pets in an unventilated car.
- Lock your car, even if you only leave it for a few minutes and check to make sure it's locked.
- Remove all contents including shopping bags etc., or lock them in the boot.
- Remove mountings for external satellite navigation systems.
- Never leave vehicle documents in the car e.g. your driving licence or vehicle registration certificate.
- Install an anti-theft device such as an alarm or immobiliser.
- Etch your registration number on all your car windows.
- At night park in well-lit areas.
This is the last issue of Colchester Dispatch in 2023, the next issue will be on Wednesday 3 January 2024 and will cover news from 20 December to 2 January inclusive. Normal service will resume on Wednesday 10 January with news from 3 January to 9 January.
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year.
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