News 2 July to 8 July
 Arrests following business burglary
Quick acting officers have made two arrests after identifying a vehicle linked to the burglary of a business in Colchester.
It was reported a business in Commerce Way was broken into around 11.50pm on Saturday (5 July).
The following day officers identified a vehicle travelling southbound on the A12 and stopped it.
Inside they found a number of tools and two people – a 17 year-old boy and a 25 year-old man – were arrested on suspicion of going equipped.
Read more by clicking the read more button.
Arrest within 11 minutes of attempted burglary call
Quick responding officers made an arrest 11 minutes after being called about an attempted burglary in Colchester.
We were called to reports of someone trying to get into a property in Howe Close at shortly before 9.30pm on Sunday 6 July.
Officers were on scene within minutes and arrested a 54 year-old man from Witham a short time later.
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Stalker forced to admit order breaches
A convicted stalker has been remanded in custody after admitting further offences and breaching his Stalking Protection Order (SPO).
Christopher Allen, of The Walk in Eight Ash Green, had twice before been convicted of stalking and had previously breached the terms of both a suspended sentence and an interim SPO. He had previously been given a 57-day custodial sentence.
His offending had been considered so severe, we successfully applied for a full SPO which prevented Allen speaking to any woman alone once out of prison.
Read more about this story by clicking the read more button.
Significant breakthrough in tackling vehicle crime
It’s thanks to a combination of partnership working, technology, intelligence and dedicated investigative work, officers have successfully solved more cases than ever, returning stolen vehicles to their rightful owners and bringing offenders to justice.
Figures show vehicle thefts continue to fall, with 573 fewer offences in the last 12 months to the end of May, a reduction of almost 10%.
Of particular note, the rate at which we’re solving vehicle thefts continues to increase and we’ve solved 126% more offences in the same period - a figure that underscores the force’s commitment to protecting the public and their property.
And theft from a vehicle is also down 1,572 offences, a 26% reduction.
Read more by clicking the read more button.
 Marine Unit take action in the water
Our marine officers helped four boats in difficulty on the River Blackwater between WestMersea and Maldon last weekend.
They were out on their regular summer anti-social behaviour patrols to improve water safety through engagement, education and enforcement.
Officers were able to re-start two of the boats which had broken down and towed the other two to safety.
The team are investigating an incident in which damage was caused to a small dinghy on the beach at West Mersea after children lit a fire nearby.
“With the recent dry weather, there’s always a risk that a small fire can quickly get out of hand and spread,” explains Alex.
Since April, the Marine Unit has carried out 27 #OpWaveBreaker deployments, providing an additional 405 hours of shore and water-based patrols at identified hotspots. These patrols will continue until September.
Alex explains: “We find that educating people as to how their anti-social behaviour could be dangerous for other water-users and marine life is far more effective at preventing future issues.
“But we will report people for prosecution as a last resort.”
You can report anti social behaviour by clicking the link below.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Saturday 12 July
10am-11:30am - Franks Cafe, Turkey Cock Lane
11:30am-12:30pm - TOAST, Culver Square
Thursday 17 July
10am-11am - Cafe Nero, Culver Street West
Ballin' with a Bobby
Primary School ages: 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Secondary School ages: 5:30om to 6:30pm
Tuesday 15 July
Martin Hunt Drive, Stanway, CO3 8BL
Tuesday 22 July
King George Playing Field, Wivenhoe, CO7 9AB
Tuesday 29 July
Old Heath Ground, Colchester, CO1 2ER
Tuesday 5 August
Colchester Youth Festival
Sunday 10 August
Ballin' with a Bobby tournament, Essex Sport Arena
 Crime prevention advice
To help protect your home from burglary, think like a burglar—then outsmart them. Start by making your home look occupied even when you're away: use timers on lights, leave a radio playing softly, and avoid posting travel plans on social media. Secure all entry points with quality locks, and don’t forget windows and back doors, which are common weak spots. Trim hedges and trees near doors and windows to eliminate hiding spots, and consider installing motion-sensor lights and a visible security camera or alarm system—both are strong deterrents. Finally, get to know your neighbours; a watchful community is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime. A few smart habits can make your home a far less appealing target.
Be fraud smart
To protect yourself from personal identity theft, treat your personal information like gold—because to criminals, it is. Be cautious about sharing details like your full name, address, date of birth, or banking information, especially online or over the phone. Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Shred documents containing sensitive data before discarding them, and regularly check your bank statements and credit reports for suspicious activity. Be wary of phishing emails or fake websites that mimic legitimate ones—always verify before clicking. Staying alert and guarding your digital footprint can go a long way in keeping your identity safe.
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