North Station Road is blighted by crime, say councillors

Mark Goacher said there are fears drug dealing is rife in North Station Road, which links Colchester North station with the city centre.

The latest figures from Essex Police show vehicle crime and violence and sexual offences are the most commonly reported crimes in and around the road.

“My concern is this road is the gateway into the city,” said Mr Goacher, a Castle ward councillor.

Fed up - Mark Goacher has called for action in North Station Road (Image: Mark Goacher)

“From the train station people will walk into the city centre and the first thing they see is the litter, the anti-social behaviour.”

Labour councillors Lee Scordis and Steph Nissen have also raised concerns about criminal behaviour on the road.

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“Local residents and business owners are fed up of continually reporting the drug dealing at the venue, with little outcomes,” said Ms Nissen.

“It’s deeply concerning and unacceptable that this happens less than half a mile from a school.”

Action - Lee Scordis and Steph Nissen outside the Riverside Hotel (Image: Contribution)

It is said shopkeepers at the One Stop shop have called 999 three times in recent weeks due to worrying activity.

Residents have voiced frustration about people who are drunk and abusive loitering in the morning.

Mr Scordis said: “North Station Road is the main gateway for the city, with people coming in from the train station.

“It is vital that this experience is a pleasant one for people coming to Colchester and sadly the lack of action has led to an area where businesses and residents feel afraid to walk down their own road.”

Fear of crime - Century House in North Station Road (Image: Google)

All three councillors have now called for police patrols in North Station Road to be ramped up to clampdown on the issues.

The latest available statistics from November 2022 show there were six reported crimes where vehicles were targeted and five incidents of violence or sexual offences.

Other reports include criminal damage, public order, anti-social behaviour, burglary and theft.

“The police and us as councillors need to make this area a priority,” added Mr Goacher.

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