News 24 December to 6 January
 Checks to ensure delivery drivers are working safely and within the law
Working with partners, our officers were making checks on delivery drivers across our county at the weekend to ensure they are working safely and within the law.
Officers were checking for insurance, driving licences and other documents but they also made several arrests for drugs offences.
We want to safeguard people who are being exploited by criminals while also targeting the perpetrators of organised immigration crime.
Altogether, 180 vehicles were stopped and checked during the two days in Basildon, Braintree, Clacton, Colchester and Southend.
Click read more for more information.
 Abuser jailed for more than three years for strangling woman
A London man has been jailed for 43 months after being convicted of assault by beating and strangling a woman in Colchester.
The complainant in this case, a woman in her 40s, called us in April 2025 in the moments after Daniel Baptiste had grabbed her by the neck and lifted her off the ground, stopping her breathing.
Officers attended and we launched an investigation, jointly led by the Public Protection Investigation Team and the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team.
Over the following weeks and with regular contact from the Officers in Charge, the woman developed the confidence to make a statement about the incident and shared further details of Baptiste’s behaviour.
Click Read More for more details.
 Two people arrested after drugs seized at house search
Following reports from the community, Colchester's Neighbourhood Policing Team led in executing a warrant in Greenstead this week.
Calling in expert help from PD Oreo the officers found Class A and Class B drugs along with a four figure sum of cash and a prohibited weapon.
A 35 year old man, and a 37 year old woman, both from Colchester were arrested at the scene for numerous offences and have been released under investigation while officers continue with their enquiries.
You can tell us about crime in your neighbourhood by clicking the below link.
Teen charged with multiple offences during investigation into Colchester burglaries
A teenager has been charged with multiple offences by detectives investigating a series of burglaries and vehicle thefts in Colchester.
The 14-year-old boy, from Colchester, was arrested on 5 December in connection with vehicle thefts and driving offences which took place in November.
He was subsequently charged with:
• Two counts of aggravated vehicle taking;
• One count of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent;
• One count of failing to stop when directed;
• Two counts of driving without insurance;
• Two counts of driving while disqualified.
He remains on remand in custody and is next due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 9 January.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 8 January
10am to 12pm - Franks cafe, Turkey cock lane Stanway
Thursday 8 January
10:25am to 11:30am - Greggs , Culver Sq
Wednesday 14 January
10am to 11am - Wimpole Road Church 49 Wimpole Road, Colchester, Essex,
Thursday 15 January
8am to 10am - Priory street church
 Crime prevention advice
 Deepfakes may be fake, but their effects are not!
A deepfake is when an image, video or voice has been changed or altered in some way using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or digital technology. It takes the idea of air brushing a photo to a whole new level.
Deepfakes can be used in a fun or helpful way, like making history lessons more exciting by bringing the past to life or help you talk to people in different languages. But it could also make it look like a famous person said something they didn’t or even change their clothes to make them look like they aren’t wearing anything.
Deepfakes can trick people, spread lies, and hurt others. They can be used in scams or to bully someone online. As technology advances it’s becoming harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Sometimes we can guess something is fake because it doesn’t match how the person usually acts or looks.
That’s why it’s important to talk to your children about deepfakes. Help them stay safe online by asking questions and thinking carefully about what they see and hear.
This why we have partnered with EE. You can find out more on their dedicated page. We are working together to help protect Essex children from online dangers.
So that fake… or real, you know the deal.
Be fraud smart
Just like with phone calls and SMS messages, fraud criminals can make social media messaging appear genuine. Common frauds include:
Social media account takeover also known as 'social media account compromise' which can result in you being locked out of your own account, as well as fraud criminals taking over friend's account. Look out for unsolicited direct messages and odd posts from genuine contacts/friends on social media who may have had their account compromised.
A message claiming to be from your child seeking financial support for a fictitious emergency. This is also known as the 'Hi Mum and Dad' fraud which started on WhatsApp but has also spread to text messages. Always take steps to double check you are communicating with the person you think you are speaking to.
Read more about the Hi Mum and Dad scam by clicking the read more link
 Keeping our communities safe starts with knowledge. Crime statistics provide an essential snapshot of what’s happening in our area, helping residents, businesses, and partners make informed decisions about safety and prevention. By understanding trends and patterns, we can work together to reduce crime and build a stronger, more resilient Colchester.
The data you’ll find in this link reflects recorded crime figures for Colchester, covering a range of categories such as burglary, vehicle crime and violent offences. These figures are compiled from official sources and updated regularly to ensure accuracy and transparency. They offer insight into where crime is occurring and what types of offences are most prevalent.
Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
 Question
I am frightened of my violent partner, what can I do?
Answer: You can make a report to your local police who have specially trained officers who can offer help and support. You should report any domestic related issues to the police so that action can be taken against your partner and you can be appropriately safeguarded. The police have a responsibility to take positive action in reports of domestic abuse.
The police are aware that speaking out about domestic abuse can be very frightening. However, they will do their utmost to ensure that they provide all the help and support you require from the initial report through to any possible court proceedings.
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