Criminals are targeting other towns because Colchester has become "too hot".

The news that shoplifters, bag-snatchers and other yobs are leaving the town comes as police launch their Christmas crackdown today to stamp out crime and antisocial behaviour.

Large numbers of uniformed police will be joined by plain clothes officers patrolling the streets under operation Christmas Cracker as the festive season gets under way.

In previous operations, high numbers of trouble-makers and suspected criminals have been arrested, but this year officers expect a different story.

Chief Insp Steve Johnson, of Colchester police, said: "Year on year, Christmas Cracker has seen some real successes with more and more arrests.

"Recently, we received anecdotal intelligence that Colchester has become too hot to commit crime in at the moment and criminals are moving away from the town and going to other areas."