Violence and sexual assault rise in Colchester
It's despite police claims of falling crime and record numbers of officers
Violence and sexual assault have increased in an Essex town, despite police claims of falling crime and record numbers of officers.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst (Con) told Colchester Borough Councillors violent crimes, rape and serious sexual assault had increased by 10 per cent, but that overall crime had flatlined compared with the pre-covid period.
Police and local government officials continued at a scrutiny meeting on October 7 to say burglaries and antisocial behaviour in the town had fallen dramatically, by 53.7 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
But councillors disputed the statistics, saying the experiences of residents in their wards differed from claims by police.
According to a council report, overall crime in Colchester rose by 11.3 per cent in the 12-month period between July 2021-2022.
Officials at the meeting said last year’s figures were “distorted” due to coronavirus lockdowns, and said that there had only been a “negligible” 0.52 per cent increase when compared to 2019.
Mr Hirst said: “The facts are that the number of police is up and that crime is coming down.”
He told the meeting there are now 3,686 Essex Police officers across the county, 800 more than five years ago and the highest number in its 182-year history.
According to the report, Colchester has a rate of 97.1 crimes per 1000 people. To compare, Harlow has 132.4, Southend has 115.9, Basildon has 108.8, Tendring has 97.7 and Thurrock has 97.6.
Additionally, 73 per cent of people in the borough agreed they had confidence in local policing, the report continues.
However, some councillors said disputed claims an increase in police presence was being seen by residents in Colchester.
Councillor Lee Scordis (Labour, Old Heath and The Hythe) said he had received complaints non-emergency 101 calls were not being attended and burglaries were not seen as a priority.
He said the borough had become dependent on CCTV in the absence of “overstretched” police.
He said: “This wasn’t happening ten to 15 years ago, so why is it happening now?”
He later said: “I completely dispute that we have more police officers in Colchester and if so, we’re not seeing them in Colchester. It’s as simple as that.”
Similarly, Councillor Mike Hogg (Lib Dem, St Anne’s and St John’s) raised concern over antisocial behaviour in his ward, saying complaints over teenagers getting drunk and using nitrous oxide canisters to get high did not reflect the picture given by police.
He said: “I honestly do believe that soon we’re going to have a death of a teenager.”
In response, Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston agreed about the risk to young people and said legislation is needed to prevent access to legal highs.
But he also said there had been a fall in antisocial behaviour as a result of the investment in more officers, and the use of town centre and rural engagement policing teams.
He said: “Colchester is a really safe place to live, work or visit. But actually the fear of crime is quite high in Colchester, so the key for use is to address the fear of crime by pumping out those good news messages.”