From your District Commander
 Chief Inspector Michelle Sparks
With more people visiting our city during the summer, day and night, my priority is to continue to keep you all safe and supported while managing this increase in demand and addressing your concerns around crime and anti-social behaviour.
Alongside targeted patrols, my officers engage with residents, businesses and partner organisations to understand and address issues that matter most.
A major focus is confidence in the city centre and I am very conscious that how safe people feel is just as important as what crime data tells us.
Your confidence is shaped by everyday experiences, such as seeing neighbourhood officers on patrol, knowing who they are and feeling listened to when you raise concerns.
Police challenging criminal and anti-social behaviour early, gathering intelligence and providing reassurance to businesses and residents all contributes to our communities feeling safer.
And, working closely with Colchester City Council, wardens, CCTV teams, businesses and other partners, hotspot patrols enable my officers to target offenders, engage directly with residents and visitors, support vulnerable individuals and develop long-term solutions to ongoing community concerns.
Preventing harm among young people remains a priority. Alongside enforcement activity, where necessary, we are exploring new opportunities with partners to educate and engage young people around issues such as knife crime and youth violence. Our popular Ballin’ With A Bobby sessions play a key part in this work and will run weekly during August.
These ongoing partnerships and conversations play a vital role in helping Colchester remain a safe, welcoming and vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Top news stories from around the county
 Dangerous rider convicted after filming high-speed motorcycle journeys
A 21-year-old motorcyclist from Stanway has been banned from driving after admitting two counts of dangerous driving. Ryan Martin was sentenced at Colchester Magistrates’ Court to a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Police launched an investigation after discovering social media videos showing Martin riding at excessive speeds around Colchester, including up to 102mph in a 40mph zone and 88mph in a 30mph area. Officers seized the motorcycle and camera equipment used to record the footage, with Martin later admitting he was the rider. He must also pass an extended driving test before regaining his licence.
 Kyle Nunn
Thief’s five-year ban from two store chains countrywide
Kyle Nunn, 34, was arrested by Colchester officers on 14 July after fleeing from police in Castle Park following his latest theft. He later admitted to 41 shop thefts committed between 30 May and 14 July 2026, targeting stores repeatedly and stealing more than £3,200 worth of goods from Co-op branches in Colchester, Stanway and Witham, as well as £161.91 of clothing from H&M in Colchester.
Appearing before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 18 July, Nunn pleaded guilty to all offences. He was sentenced to four months in prison and given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from entering any Co-op or H&M store in England and Wales after magistrates condemned his “flagrant disregard for people and their property”.
Our successful Ballin’ with a Bobby partnership with the Essex Rebels is returning to Colchester in August.
It’s the sixth year we’ve teamed up with the University of Essex’s professional basketball team for the popular community initiative for young people between seven and 18.
PC Dex Adams, of Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Team, established the scheme in partnership with the Essex Rebels six summers ago.
Since then, Ballin’ with a Bobby has enabled officers from Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Team to engage with thousands of young people across the district.
The initiative uses basketball as a vehicle to build positive relationships, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide an informal environment where young people can discuss their views on safety, crime and policing.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Our officers are out meeting residents across the district.
These events are your chance to:
- Speak directly to your neighbourhood team
- Raise concerns
- Hear about the work happening in your area
Keep an eye on our channels for upcoming dates near you or visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
If your vehicle has keyless entry, keep the key away from doors and windows and store it in a signal-blocking pouch, often called a Faraday pouch. This helps stop criminals from copying the key signal from outside your home.
Be fraud smart
When booking a holiday or buying tickets, take a moment to check who you’re buying from. Scammers often advertise deals that look much cheaper than normal, use fake photos, or ask you to pay by bank transfer instead of through a secure website. Always do a quick check online, read reviews, and try to contact the company to make sure it’s real. For tickets, only buy from official sellers or trusted sites, and use a credit card if you can for extra protection. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut - it’s better to pause and check than risk losing your money.
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
Next issue: September 2026.
Subscribe to the weekly edition of Dispatch which covers the latest news from across Essex Police. Out every Monday at 10am.
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