THERE were almost 60 stop and search incidents carried out in Colchester town centre in March, figures reveal.

The latest figures, available from data.police.uk, reveal every reported crime and stop and search in the town centre throughout the month.

Essex Police defines the town centre as stretching west to east from near Colchester Grammar school, Lexden Road, to Rollerworld, East Hill.

It also covers north to south from Colchester North Railway Station to Colchester Town Railway Station.

In total 58 stop and searches were carried out in March, with a further 31 unable to be mapped and therefore not included in the full figures.

Here’s a breakdown of all the spots where a stop and search was undertaken:

6 – Arthur Street

5 – St Nicholas Street

5 – Culver Walk

5 – Vineyard Gate

4 – Head Street

4 – Ryegate Road

3 – Crouch Street

3 – Balkerne Gardens

3 – Abbeygate Street

3 – Short Wyre Street

2 – Church Walk

2 – Essex Street

2 – Chapel Street North

2 – Vineyard Street car park

2 – St James’ Rise

1 – Priory Street

1 – Culver Street West

1 – In or near Atik nightclub, High Street

1 – Lion Walk Shopping Centre

1 – Long Wyre Street

1 – St Botolph’s Street

In response to the comments, an Essex Police spokesman said the force’s figures reveal a fall in the number of stops being carried out across the county.

He said: “In the second quarter of 2021/22, there were 3,760 stops recorded, which is a decrease of 18.9 per cent - or 874 records – on the previous quarter.

“It is also a 37.5 per cent decrease on the equivalent period last year. There has now been a downward trend in volume for five consecutive quarters.

“Stop and search is a valuable tool to detect, disrupt and prevent crime and help to keep communities safe.

“However, we also understand it can be intrusive and has a direct impact on individuals and communities, which is why its use is under continual review to ensure we’re using it proportionately and legitimately.

“We are working hard to ensure that black, Asian, and other communities are not being impacted by stop and search disproportionately.”

“An initiative is also being trialled where officers record the rationale for a stop on their body worn video as soon as is practicable to ensure the integrity of the stop and so it can be shown to the member of the public.”