News 9 July to 15 July
 PD Kaiser tracks down suspected burglar
Officers deployed in Colchester following reports of a cloned plates on a VW Golf, believed to have been stolen during a recent burglary in the area.
After an extensive search, the vehicle was spotted by our Road Crime Team and successfully " stung "by our Operational Support Group. The driver failed to stop and fled the scene on foot, running through a large pond and into nearby fields.
With support from our Dog Section, Police Dog Kaiser tracked the suspect to a wooded area. Despite attempts to evade capture, the suspect was detained by PD Kaiser, resulting in bite injuries to the suspect’s legs.
A male was arrested on suspicion of:
Burglary
Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Consent (TOMV)
Failing to Stop for Police
The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment for the bites followed by a stay in custody while our investigation continues.
If you have information about crime in your area, click the read more button in this section.
Teen Charged Following Assault
A 15-year-old boy has been charged after two teenagers were allegedly assaulted while they were at King George’s Playing Fields in Colchester.
We were called shortly before 6pm on Friday 11 July, with reports that a group of teens had been approached by another teen. It was reported that following a short conversation, two people were struck with what was described as a metal pole.
Thankfully, the injuries were not thought to be serious.
Following enquiries, a 15-year-old boy from Colchester was arrested and later charged with affray, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.
He appeared at Colchester Magistrate’s Court today, Monday 14 July, and remains under conditional bail until his next court hearing at Chelmsford Youth Court on 1 August.
You can find out about fearless, an anonymous crime reporting tool for young people by clicking the read more button in this section.
 Partnership work in Dedham
Over the weekend officers from Colchester neighbourhood policing team conducted patrols in Dedham in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary and the Environment Agency.
Partnership work to address concerns around anti social behaviour raised by local businesses and residents.
While there they engaged with numerous visitors to the area, local residents and businesses and engaged with those enjoying the river with some water safety advice.
You can tell us about anti social behaviour in your area by clicking the link below
Three men charged after Greenstead attack
Three men are charged with causing grievous bodily harm and possessing weapons after an assault reported in Colchester.
The incident reportedly took place in Howe Close at about 7.10pm on Thursday 10 July, with two people sustaining injuries and were taken to hospital for further treatment.
A car, a silver Seat Leon, was identified which we believed to be connected to the incident.
Officer located the vehicle later that day and, following a pursuit, arrested two people who decamped from the vehicle in a field in the Parsons Heath area of Colchester.
Following a warrant at a property connected to this incident, a third man was also arrested in connection with the assault.
Now, they are charged:
Regan Humphries, 20, of Boundary Way in Shoeburyness, is charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place
Tyler Humphries, 22, of Hickory Avenue in Colchester, is charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place
Kye Perkins, 19, of no fixed abode, is charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place, and one count of dangerous driving
All three appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 12 July and were further remanded to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 14 July.
We continue to investigate these incidents, and we want to hear from anyone who witnessed these or has any doorbell or dashcam footage they believe would be useful to us.
Please contact us quoting case 42/MR/23687/25.
You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.
Alternatively you can call 101.
 Over the weekend, the Marine unit were out on patrol in Police Boat ‘Toby Speller’. On Saturday they attended the annual Wivenhoe Town Regatta where they were able to engage with the many people who attended via the water. They also called in at Brightlingsea where members of the public came aboard to see the boat, learn about what our team does and discuss the issues that matter most to them.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 17 July
10am-11am - Cafe Nero, Culver street west
Friday 18 July
1pm-2pm - Ali's BBQ house, The Parade, Queen Elizabeth Way
Tuesday 22 July
9am-10am - Josies Kitchen, Priory Street Church
Ballin' with a Bobby
Primary School ages: 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Secondary School ages: 5:30om to 6:30pm
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
Hot Weather Crime Prevention Tips
1. Home Security
Open windows and doors for ventilation can be tempting—but never leave them unattended, especially on the ground floor.
Use window restrictors or grilles to allow airflow while preventing access.
Lock garden gates and sheds—tools left out can be used to break into your home.
2. Vehicle Safety
Never leave windows open or sunroofs ajar, even slightly. Opportunistic thieves can exploit this.
Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight, especially sunglasses, bags, or electronics.
Park in well-lit, busy areas and consider using a steering wheel lock.
3. Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
Longer daylight hours and school holidays can lead to increased youth-related ASB. Report persistent issues to your local council or police.
Encourage positive engagement in community activities or youth programs to reduce idle time.
4. Alcohol-Related Incidents
Hot weather often leads to increased outdoor drinking. Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid confrontations.
Stick to well-lit, populated areas when walking home, and travel in groups when possible.
5. Scams and Distraction Thefts
Be cautious of doorstep callers offering garden or driveway work. Always ask for ID and never pay upfront.
In busy public areas (like beaches or parks), keep bags zipped and close to your body to avoid pickpocketing.
6. Bike and Scooter Theft
Summer sees a spike in bike usage—and theft. Always lock your bike with a D-lock through the frame and wheel.
Register your bike with a national database like BikeRegister.
7. Holiday Security
If you're going away, use timers for lights and ask a neighbour to check in.
Avoid posting real-time holiday updates on social media—wait until you're back.
Be fraud smart
Holiday Fraud Prevention Tips
1. Book Smart
Use reputable travel companies—check for ABTA or ATOL protection.
Avoid deals that seem too good to be true—they often are.
Verify websites before booking. Look for secure payment methods (https, padlock icon).
2. Be Wary of Fake Listings
Scammers often post fake holiday rentals on social media or classified sites.
Reverse image search property photos to check if they appear elsewhere.
Contact the property owner directly using verified contact details.
3. Payment Protection
Pay with a credit card or secure payment platform—never by bank transfer.
Avoid paying via cryptocurrency or gift cards—these are red flags.
4. Social Media Caution
Don’t overshare your travel plans online—this can alert burglars to an empty home.
Be cautious of ads or messages offering last-minute deals or prize holidays.
5. Check Reviews and Policies
Read independent reviews on trusted platforms.
Understand the cancellation and refund policy before booking.
6. Stay Alert While Abroad
Be cautious of ATM skimming and card cloning—use machines in secure locations.
Watch out for distraction thefts in tourist hotspots.
Keep emergency contact numbers and a copy of your passport separate from your wallet.
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