News 28 January to 3 February
 Teamwork secures convictions for knife attack trio
Three violent offenders have been jailed for a combined total of more than 15 years following a coordinated response to a knife attack in Colchester.
Brothers Regan and Tyler Humphreys, along with Kye Perkins, carried out a vicious, unprovoked assault on two men in July last year.
Officers were called to Howe Close, Colchester, at around 7.10pm to reports that two men had been stabbed.
Initial enquiries established that the three offenders had jumped out of two vehicles and chased the victims.
They attacked the victims with knives before fleeing the scene in the vehicles.
Cars seized in anti-social driving crackdown
Officers working proactively to keep people safe in Colchester have seized two cars after they were seen being driven anti-socially.
Responding to information from the public about anti-social driving, officers from our Roads Policing Unit were carrying out patrols of the Hollywood Bowl car park yesterday (Sunday 1 February).
The identified one car ‘drifting’ around the car park and then leaving onto public roads at speed.
Officers traced the vehicle, seized it, and reported the driver for careless driving.
Then, carrying out patrols of the Tollgate Retail Park – another area we received information from the public about – officers identified another vehicle drifting around the car park.
They also seized that vehicle and reported the driver for careless driving.
Four figure shop theft suspect to appear in court
A man has been charged with multiple shop thefts with a value totalling a four figure sum.
Over the weekend officers from Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Team arrested a man on suspicion of shop theft. Following an investigation he was charged with multiple shop thefts throughout January 2026 with a total value of items stolen being over £1,200.00.
A 38 year old man from Colchester was remanded in police custody to appear before the courts.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 5 February
10am to 11am - Highwoods Square, Colchester CO4 9ED
Wednesday 11 February
10:30am to 11:30am - TOAST CULVER PRECINCT
Tuesday 17 February
8am to 10am - Priory street church
 Crime prevention advice
Practical Crime Prevention Advice (with a focus on women’s safety)
Nights out should be enjoyable and safe for everyone. Here are some simple steps that can help you stay safe and feel more confident when heading out with friends.
✔ Plan Ahead
Tell someone you trust where you’re going and what time you expect to be home.
Pre-book taxis if you can, or arrange a lift with someone you know.
Keep your phone charged and consider carrying a portable battery pack.
✔ Stick Together
Wherever possible, stay with friends—especially when travelling between venues or heading home.
Agree a meeting point if anyone gets separated.
If someone in your group feels uncomfortable, stay with them and support them.
✔ Drink Safely
Keep an eye on your drink at all times to reduce the risk of spiking.
Don’t accept drinks from strangers unless you’ve seen them being poured.
If your drink looks, tastes, or smells unusual, don’t drink it.
✔ Trust Your Instincts
If someone’s behaviour makes you uncomfortable or feels wrong, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
Don’t worry about politeness—your safety is more important.
Seek help from venue staff, door staff, or security if needed.
✔ Use Licensed Transport
Only get into licensed taxis or pre-booked private hire vehicles.
Before getting in, check the driver’s badge and licence plate.
Sit in the back seat and let a friend know the details of your journey.
✔ Keep Personal Items Secure
Keep your phone and valuables out of sight when moving between venues.
Zip bags closed and carry them in front of you when in crowded spaces.
✔ Know Where to Get Help
Most pubs and clubs are trained in the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme—ask staff if you feel unsafe, pressured, or need discreet assistance.
If someone is acting suspiciously or you feel at immediate risk, call 999.
For non‑emergencies, advice, or to report concerns, contact 101.
✔ Support Each Other
Look out for friends, and don't leave anyone on their own if they’re intoxicated or vulnerable.
If you see someone else who appears to be in trouble or uncomfortable, get help from staff or security.
A Reminder
Nothing about your actions—what you drink, what you wear, or where you go—makes you responsible for someone else’s behaviour. These tips are simply about helping you feel safer and more in control during your night out.
Be fraud smart
The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign is a national initiative led by UK Finance and supported by the UK Government, designed to help people protect themselves from financial fraud by encouraging them to pause and think before responding to unexpected requests for money or personal information. Its message centres on three simple steps: Stop, Challenge, Protect. Stop means taking a moment to pause before acting, as criminals often use pressure or panic to make people react quickly. Challenge encourages you to question whether a message, call, or email could be fake and reassures you that it is completely acceptable to reject, refuse, or ignore requests—particularly when something feels rushed or out of the ordinary, since only criminals try to panic you into acting immediately. Finally, Protect advises you to contact your bank straight away if you think you’ve been scammed and report the incident to Action Fraud, helping to limit losses and prevent further harm. Some partners also highlight that “Take Five” means giving yourself the time you need—whether five seconds, minutes, or longer—to really think about what’s being asked of you before you act, helping you stay in control rather than being rushed by a fraudster
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
 Question
If I have been banned from driving do I have to re take my test?
Answer: If you are banned from driving you don't have to automatically you have to re-take your test. At the time you were disqualified the court will tell you the exact terms of your disqualification. Although the courts do have the power to require you to take a driving test prior to obtaining your full licence, it depends on the offence committed.
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