Every crime reported in Colchester to Essex Police in May

The latest figures, available from data.police.uk, reveal every reported crime in the borough throughout May.

They reveal that of 1,837 crimes reported, 774 involved violence or a sexual offence. 

The second highest reported crime was anti-social behaviour, with 265 reports.

Of the recorded crime reports, 174 related to reports of criminal damage or arson, while 55 involved illicit drugs.

There were reported 69 incidents of shoplifting, 42 reported vehicle crimes, 166 public order offences and 121 categorised as 'other theft'.

The statistics also show 57 reports of burglary, nine reports of robbery, eight involving possession of weapons and 19 bicycle thefts.

There were ten reports of theft from the person, 36 categorised as 'other crime'.

The figures include investigations which did not identify a suspect, cases which remain under investigation and which are awaiting a court outcome.

They also include cases which have been resolved and reports which did not lead to a prosecution.

In response to the latest figures, an Essex Police spokesman said: "Colchester remains a safe place to live, work and study and we’re working hard to protect our most populous district.

"In the year to the end of May 2022, there were ten violence with injury offences per 1,000 people living in the district, while fewer than five people per 1,000 were affected by a sexual offence.

"One offence is one too many, but these figures show you’re really unlikely to be a victim of violent or sexual offences - and we have specialist teams who investigate these offences."

He added: "We have different specialist teams who investigate child sexual abuse, adult sexual assaults, online child abuse, non-recent sexual offences, and the organised child sexual exploitation.

"Our North Op Raptor Team and North Disruptor Team work around the clock to gather intelligence and evidence so that when we carry out strikes against gangs."