Chief constable vows to clamp down on Colchester knife crime

Ben-Julian Harrington said he believes the city is a safe place to live but work must continue to stop the “devastation” caused by knives.

“It is a real issue, we have all seen the devastation knife crime can do on families,” said Mr Harrington.

“Violence is bad enough but if it involves a knife we all know the tragedy it can cause.”

Reassurance - Ben-Julian Harrington said work is ongoing to tackle the use of bladed weapons (Image: Essex Police)

Official figures show Essex Police destroyed 11,263 bladed weapons since May last year, totalling almost a tonne in weight.

They reveal between April 2019 and April 2022 knife-enabled offences recorded by officers had dropped by 13 per cent.

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Yet Mr Harrington said there is still work to do to keep Colchester safe.

He added: “We have identified the areas more vulnerable to knife crime and have got work going on in Colchester, working with people who have more tendency to carry a knife.

Chief constable - Ben-Julian Harrington (Image: Essex Police)

“We are working with places like Colchester United Football Club and running no pressure events.

“We are stopping and searching people and that is taking knives off the street.”

Last week, Colchester Institute students were encouraged to walk through a knife arch temporarily placed outside is campus.

But despite his concerns about people carrying blades in the city, the police chief said he believes it remains a safe place to live.

In total, 383 crimes were reported in the city centre in January, with 137 violent and sexual offences recorded by officers.

Knife arch - a Colchester Institute student takes part in the scheme (Image: Essex Police)

Mr Harrington continued: “Colchester is a thriving city; it has got a fantastic policing partnership to keep the city safe.

“There is nothing but an ambition to work together. Some of the good services we run began in Colchester.

“That work goes on and continues in Colchester so people should feel confident that it is a safe place to live.

“I would always say people should tell us where they have concerns and we can then get in place to make communities safe.

“It is important for everyone’s benefit that Colchester thrives. It is an important city.”

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