Drug dealing in Colchester must be stopped

This picture was one of a series taken by councillor Darius Laws who said he witnesses a drug deal taking place among the ruins of the historic St Botolph’s priory, off Priory Street.

The images appear to show a group of young men meeting shortly before midday with an older man handing over what is believed to be drugs.

The group then left the area towards St Botolph’s Street and continued into the town centre.

It is not the first time the area, which is covered by a public spaces protection order, has suffered from antisocial and criminal behaviour, with street drinkers being a regular sight in the area.

Residents have also reported people openly drug dealing in beauty spots such as Castle Park.

Darius Laws, a Colchester councillor for Castle ward, said: “The drinking and daylight drug deals occurring in one of our key tourist sites are an absolute disgrace.

“I’ve seen with my own eyes and ears foul language, aggressive behaviour and exchanges of packages which I believe to be drugs.

“It is time we turn the tables around and make our town centre intimidating and hostile for the drug pushers.”

Colchester Council and Essex Police have joined forces to increase the force’s presence on the town’s streets.

READ MORE: 60% of Colchester town centre crime results in no further action

The authority is helping to fund a dedicated town centre team made up of police officers, PCSOs and zone wardens.

Mr Laws said: “I welcome the extra police officers who are coming, I support the council in using its powers under the public space protection order against offenders and encourage members of the public to report anything suspicious.

Angry - Darius Laws called the police

“I also believe it is incumbent on the council to maintain and improve our CCTV coverage.”

Speaking during a meeting of Colchester Council’s ruling Cabinet on Wednesday, public safety boss Mike Lilley said: “The problem is, and this is the case across all the authorities we work with, there are not enough officers to deal with the amount of crime that is happening - that is a fact.

“It is quite worrying and we need the resources put back in to back up the police to deal with all this.”

“We, the council and the police, can only do our best and we are doing that.

“We need more police officers and more money and that should come from central Government. “

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called to reports of drugs being sold in St Botolph’s Priory, Colchester shortly before 12.25pm on November 16.

"Officers attended but those involved had left the area.

"We would urge anyone who sees this activity taking place or has any information about it to call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Founded about 1100, St Botolph’s was one of the first Augustinian priories in England.

It was badly damaged by cannon fire during the Civil War siege of 1648.

Despite it being in ruins, experts point to it as an impressive example of early Norman architecture.

The ruins are highlighted prominently on websites such as Historic England and tourism site Visit Essex.