News 6 March to 12 March
 Free bike security marking
Officers from Colchester community team held two bike marking events on Friday as part of a day of action in Tiptree and Stanway.
The bike marking kits are funded to help tackle bike thefts in and around the city center but we recognise that most people ride their bikes into town from other areas and the best way to expand our reach is to visit local areas.
Look out on our Facebook Page for other future dates where we'll be out offering more free bike security marking events.
7 arrested for shoplifting in Colchester
Our officers arrested 32 people for shop theft across Essex last week – with 39 charges authorised so far. Two people have also been charged with assaults on retail staff.
Sergeant Christian Denning, of our Business crime team Team, says: “Everyone has the right to go to work without the threat of being abused or assaulted.
“We will investigate shop thefts, assaults and anti-social behaviour and, where we have the evidence, we will put offenders before the courts.
“Reporting incidents provides evidence of patterns of offending behaviour which can be used in court to apply for criminal behaviour orders to be imposed on persistent and prolific shoplifters.”
Seven people were arrested in each of the Chelmsford and Colchester districts between Monday 26 February and Sunday 3 March for shop theft. Six were arrested in Southend , four in Thurrock, three in each of the Harlow and Basildon districts and one in each of the Brentwood and Castle point districts.
Two arrested for Drug related offences
Last week the community policing team were on patrol in hot spot area's for vehicle crime, with the aim to engage with moped owners and take enforcement action against those out stealing mopeds.
While patrolling a vehicle caught their attention which was stopped and searched under the misuse of drugs act.
As a result of the search a female aged in her twenties was arrested for possession of class A drugs and a man in his fifties was arrested for drug driving offences.
Ps Knighton from the Colchester Community Team stated "Although my officers were patrolling for persons involved in theft offences, their professionalism and dedication to keeping the community safe, showed an excellent proactive stop and appropriate use of their powers".
Man charged with 13 shop thefts
A 50-year-old man has been charged with 13 counts of shop theft in Colchester
He appeared before Chelmsford magistrates on 11 March 2024, accused of shoplifting on 12 different occasions between 16 November 2023 and 6 March 2024 from various Co-op stores in Colchester.
The 13th charge relates to a theft on 8 March 2024 from Tesco in the city’s High Street.
The man was remanded in custody until his next hearing, at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 8 April 2024.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Over 60’s Club Wednesday 13 March 11:30-12:30
St. Margaret's Berechurch, Stansted Road,
Senior citizens lunch Wednesday 13 March 12:00 – 13:30
Highwoods community Centre
Coffee with Cops Wednesday 13th March 15:00-1600
First site, Queen Street, Colchester
Let’s Talk Thursday 14 March 11:00 – 12:00
Oak Tree Coffee House, Highwoods Square, Colchester
Let’s Talk Friday 15 March 10:00 – 11:00
Lakelands Community Centre – Stanway
Let’s talk Tuesday 19 March 10:00-12:00
Curzon cinema Queen Street Colchester
Let’s Talk Friday 22 March 13:00 – 14:00
Ali's BBQ House, The Parade, Colchester
Let’s Talk Tuesday 26 March 10:00 – 11:00
Marks and Spencer’s, Staine park Stanway
Walk and talk with Essex Recovery Foundation 27March 10:30
Highwoods Carpark, Co4 5JR
Let’s Talk Thursday 28 March 10:30 – 11:30
Zest Café, University of Essex
Let’s Talk Thursday 4 April 10:30 – 11:30
Community 360, Long Wyre Street
 Window security
Burglars target windows as they can offer easier access than doors. Check how your windows look from the outside, removing potential access points where you can.
Are there walls, bins or garden furniture that could be used to reach windows? For windows that are within reaching distance such as ground floors, see our tips below.
1. Laminated glass or security film is recommended for ground floor and accessible windows.
2. Sash stops prevent anyone opening the sash window enough to climb through.
3. Key operated locks are recommended for window types that open out, rather than up, and any ground floor or accessible windows. Remember, window locks are only effective if used, so check that you have locked them before you leave home or go to bed.
4. Window opening restrictors allow you to ventilate your home but make sure they can’t be picked and unlocked from outside.
Be fraud smart
Fraudsters use stolen credit card details to target online retailers. Online business appeals to them because there’s no physical contact with the business or the legitimate cardholder.
Make sure you’re fully aware of the risks, otherwise your business is more likely to be targeted.
What you should know
When payments are accepted over the internet and processed, your business asks for authorisation from the card issuer. But even this doesn’t confirm or authenticate the customer as the genuine cardholder. The standard authorisation only confirms that:
- the card hasn’t been reported lost or stolen
- there’s enough money in the account
- the card number is valid
If it turns out to be a fraudulent sale and your company didn’t get authorisation from the issuer, the full amount may be charged back to your business if the genuine cardholder says they were not part of the transaction.
It’s important to maintain chargeback records. Get as much information as possible and give it to your acquirer. If you suspect a fraudulent transaction report it to your authorisation centre.
Businesses are responsible for protecting cardholder data at the point of sale and as it flows into the payment system.
 What is the Crown Prosecution Service?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales. The CPS are independent and make impartial decisions that are separate from the police and government.
The CPS:
- decides which cases should be prosecuted;
- determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations;
- prepares cases and presents them at court; and
- provides information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses.
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