News 9 January to 16 January
 Inspector Jenna Mirrington-French
Update from you community policing Inspector
Our community has been understandably concerned following the stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in our city last week. And of course our thoughts are with the victim and his family.
Two men, aged 19 and 21, have now been charged with attempted murder in connection. You can read more about this on our website.
Our detectives are continuing to thoroughly investigate the assault and are still appealing witnesses. So if you do have any information, please do come forward.
Although there is believed to be no wider risk to the public, we know that incidents like this can increase the fear around crime in our communities.
Reducing and preventing violent crime, remains a top priority for us. We have operations in place which specifically target knife crime. This includes more high visibility patrols, the use of stop and search powers to keep our communities safe from serious harm by taking weapons and drugs off our streets. Searching for weapons that have been disposed of or hidden, working with retailers who sell knives and educating young people around the dangers of carrying a knife.
We also work with Border Force to prevent the importation of illegal weapons and controlled substances, making sure they don't reach our streets.
We have specialist teams dedicated to targeting drug activity in Essex, which includes targeting County Lines drug dealing and the violence often associated with this.
If you would like to find our more about how we're working with our communities, other organisations and partners to reduce violent crime not just in Colchester, but across Essex too, please take a look at the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit website.
Stay safe.
Inspector Jenna Mirrington-French
 Police crime scene on Priory street
Two men have been charged with attempted murder as part of our ongoing enquiries into a serious incident in Colchester last week.
Kaya Adu, 19, of Hereward Green, Loughton, and Rushi Jadeja, 21, of Pickford Walk, Colchester, have been charged with attempted murder.
Adu also faces a charge of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
A 20-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He has since been released and will face no further action at this time.
Detective Chief Inspector Gregory Wood said “We appreciate that this is a concerning incident for residents but please be reassured that we are investigating this assault thoroughly."
“We are asking anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed anything to contact us and assist with our investigation.”
Incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Colchester fell by 36.4% in 2023 with 937 fewer offences reported.
The city has two of Essex’s 11 Operation Dial zones – hotspot areas that receive dedicated ASB patrols from police and Colchester City Council’s enforcement officers.
Essex’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner invested £1.1m to combat ASB in the county thanks to funding from central government as part of their Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy which is designed to deliver high visibility patrols, public engagement, targeted youth outreach and early intervention..
ASB in Essex is down by 68% in five years and Inspector Jenna Mirrington-French, who leads Colchester Community Policing Team (CPT), said the dedicated patrols were helping to reduce offending.
“We have seen a continual fall in the number of anti-social behaviour offences reported to us, which shows our focus on ASB is having an impact.
“Anti-social behaviour damages communities and can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. Nobody should feel intimidated or harassed in the area they live or work.
“As part of the Safer Colchester Partnership, we have strong relationships with the council and local partners, and we are working together to use our powers to reduce offending and tackle the underlying issues.
“We know residents and local businesses like to see police officers out on patrol so we will be maintaining a highly visible presence in areas where incidents have been reported.
“It’s also important people continue to report ASB to us or the council. The more we know, the more we can do to combat problems before they develop.
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 NHW 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.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Lets Talk - Wednesday 17 Jan 2024 1:00pm to 2:00pm HARPERS CAFE ,1 CAGE LANE, BOXTED
Lets Talk -Thursday 18 Jan 2024 10:30am to 10:30am 4 HIGHWOODS SQUARE, HIGHWOODS, COLCHESTER
Lets Talk -Saturday 20 Jan 2024 10:00am to 10:30am LEISURE WORLD, COWDRAY AVE, COLCHESTER
Lets Talk - Colchester Rural North Sunday 21 Jan 2024 10:00am to 11:00am LAKELANDS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2 WESTERN APPROACH, STANWAY
Thieves only need a matter of seconds to steal a moped, scooter or motorcycle - especially if they are left with poor security - but our tips will help reduce the chance of theft.
Lock, chain, cover
Reduce your risk of becoming a victim by taking steps to layer your security
Lock
Use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc, or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls. You could also use a D lock on the front wheel to stop it being wheeled away.
Chain
Thieves often steal a bike by breaking the steering lock and wheeling it away. Use a chain lock through the back wheel (the front wheel can be removed). Secure your bike, with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture. This will stop thieves from cutting a lock trailing on the ground using an angle grinder. If this isn’t possible, thread the chain through your bike frame and back wheel.
Cover
Thieves often ‘shop’ for particular bike models. Using a cover instantly makes it less attractive to them. A cover also provides another time consuming obstacle for the thief.
Unfortunately security measures can’t guarantee your bike won’t be stolen but, by using multiple security measures, you can make it harder and less attractive for thieves.
Be fraud smart
Scammers often use the following to help them commit fraud and hide their true identity.
Some phone companies provide national numbers and premium rate numbers, such as 0800 or 0845, to businesses or individuals, who often don’t need to provide ID to get them.
Scammers often use these numbers. They’ll divert them to unregistered pay-as-you-go mobile numbers or to a separate answering service, making them difficult to trace.
Because of this, don’t rely on the appearance of a phone number to tell you what sort it is.
For example, 0208 is usually a London number and 07952 a UK mobile number. But scammers buy these numbers to trick you into believing the business is legitimately based somewhere that it really isn’t.
Scammers also use software to have any number they wish to appear on your phone’s caller ID screen. This method, known as ‘spoofing’, means they can appear to be calling from a legitimate number linked to a person or company, when in fact they aren’t.
Always be wary of the identity of a person you don’t know when speaking to them on the phone. If a scammer gives out a phone number, that number can’t always be traced and the user identified.
For more information and help or to report this and many other types of fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.
 Phone scams and the elderly
A phone scam is where a fraudster calls you on the phone or sends a text, to try to trick you into giving them personal information, bank details or money. Scams are increasingly clever and sophisticated, and as a result, they catch people out. It isn't just the elderly who are susceptible to scams but it is the elderly who are often targeted.
Tips to reduce your risk of being scammed:
- Never do anything you don't want to or make decisions on the spot.
- Always check their credentials.
- Ask someone you trust for a second opinion.
- Do not give away any personal information.
- Share your experience with others to lower their risk of being scammed.
Some callers will claim to be from your bank, for example, and to confirm that they are genuine, they will ask you to call them back using the proper telephone number for that bank/company. However, when scammers do this, they remain on the line when you hang up and dial the bank's number so that you remain connected to them. To ensure they are genuine, make another call to someone you know, before calling them back so that you know the original call has been disconnected.
The missed call scam is when fraudsters telephone you but hang up before the call is answered. Many people will ring back in case it is urgent. These calls can incur premium-rate charges and payments can be applied for just connecting the call, regardless of how long you stay on the line. In some cases, you may hear a long recorded message to keep you on the phone for as long as possible so that the charges mount up. The scammers get a share of the revenue generated by the calls.
If you are concerned that you or a relative have received a scam call or text, hang up or delete the text. You can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website to report it.
You can reduce unwanted phone calls by:
- signing up the Telephone Preference Service, this registration service is free,
- investing in a phone that can block unknown numbers;
- investing in a caller ID service from your phone provider, and only taking calls from numbers that you recognise;
- removing your details from the public phone directory;
- reporting silent / abandoned calls to Ofcom
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