CRIME and anti-social behaviour have made a busy road in Colchester “lawless”, according to a fed-up councillor.

Steph Nissen said shop lifting is becoming a daily occurrence in North Station Road, which links Colchester North railway station with the city centre.

She said issues involving drugs and anti-social driving in the area is giving visitors to Colchester a bad first impression.

The Castle ward councillor said One Stop staff have even had to “barricade themselves in” after a shoplifter became hostile towards them.

Gazette: Crime - shops in North Station Road have been targeted by shopliftersCrime - shops in North Station Road have been targeted by shoplifters (Image: Google)

“It feels like North Station Road is becoming a bit lawless,” said Ms Nissen.

“It runs counter to all the money ‘fixing the link’ and making it a nice welcome to the city.”

The councillor continued: “There are daily incidents. The management of One Stop say they have reported over 100 incidents of shoplifting in the past year.

“It is not right for people to go to work and face levels of danger and risk.”

Gazette: Concerned - Labour councillors Lee Scordis and Steph Nissen in North Station RoadConcerned - Labour councillors Lee Scordis and Steph Nissen in North Station Road (Image: Contribution)

The latest available figures from Essex Police show there were 19 crimes reported to officers in and around North Station Road in May.

They include five reports of violence and sexual offences, multiple thefts and a robbery.

Public order offences, vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour and drugs were also recorded by the police force.

Concern has been raised about the proximity of offences to North Primary School in nearby John Harper Street.

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

Residents have also voiced frustration about people who are drunk and abusive loitering in and around the area as they walk about in the morning.

Ms Nissen has now called on the police to ramp up their patrols in North Station Road in response to the purported issues.

Her call has been echoed by fellow Castle councillor Mark Goacher, who said the road must be made a priority for action.

During a previous call to action, he said: “My concern is this road is the gateway into the city.

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