Some excellent work happening this week across the district in the lead up to Christmas and there is a real drive from officers and staff across all teams to progress crime reports and arrest outstanding suspects before Christmas arrives.   We have made multiple arrests this week, including one male who was wanted for multiple offences and was arrested by an off duty officer.  Sadly the male assaulted the officer and threatened him with a weapon before making off, making him unlawfully at large.  I am happy to report he was arrested by my team and brought into police custody, but this highlights the risks officers will take, even when off duty, to ensure our communities are kept safe.

We will continue to have an increased number of officers on hi-visibility patrol over the Christmas period and are continuing with our community safety operations on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Please speak to our officers when you are out and about as I promise they are friendly and please report any individual or activity you feel uncomfortable with whilst you are out enjoying the festivities.   Please be vigilant when visiting the city centre and look after yourselves and each other.

The team conducted a warrant this week at a residential address in Colchester where a number of controlled substances were seized and an adult was subsequently arrested for possession with intent to supply.  The adult is currently on Bail whilst the investigation continues.  We regularily receive intelligence from the public either via our own website or via crime stoppers and we use this to apply for a warrant through the magistrates court.  We need a court warrant in order to enter a premises lawfully in order to search the premises and investigate any offences we believe are taking place.  If you have any information that you wish to report you can do so via  Essex police at Something you've seen or heard | Essex Police or anonymously via Crimestoppers Giving information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)

Christmas can be a very difficult time for many individuals and families and the stress of the festive season can take its toll on anybody, anywhere and at any time.  I have attached a poster from the Samaritans which contains a phone number people can call and below are some useful webpages if you need more advice or support for yourself or another.  Please take the time to help someone this festive season as a small gesture can go a very long way.

Tips on spending the festive season alone | Samaritans

If you’re finding things hard this festive season | Samaritans
If you're worried about someone else this Christmas | Samaritans

Do not forget that if you are buying new valuables over the festive season, you can register your property at Immobilise for free The National Property Register, for Phones, Gadgets, Bicycles & More... (immobilise.com)

There is so much going on that I cannot cover everything in my blog, but I hope that this gives an understanding and flavour as to what the team have been doing.  If you want more information about anything in this blog or want to get in touch about an initiative or something else then please write to us at colchestercommunitypolicingteam@essex.police.uk

If you want to read more about what is happening locally then please sign up to our new digital newsletter called Dispatch by following this link Dispatch newsletter | Essex Police

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This is my last blog of 2023 so I wish you all a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  My Blog will return in January 2024 and I thank you for reading it each week.

Inspector Jenna Mirrington-French