Colchester drug deaths: police vow to take 'robust action'

The statement comes after there were three drug-related deaths in the space of four days, with a fourth person receiving specialist medical treatment after being taken seriously ill.

Inspector Mark Jones, who leads Essex Police’s Operation Raptor team to dismantle county lines drugs gangs, said the arrest of three men on Tuesday will be central to their investigation in the coming months.

Concern – two deaths were confirmed in Avon Way, Colchester, on Saturday (Image: Google Street View)

He said: “The speed at which this investigation progressed as a result of three tragic deaths in Colchester has led to three very significant arrests and the seizure of a number of items which will be central to our investigation.

“These arrests – and the one charge secured at this stage – of course in no way make up for the loss of life in Colchester.

"But make no mistake, if people think they can act above the law and supply illicit drugs in Essex we will take the most robust action available to us.”

Insp Jones explained that Operation Raptor, which is part of the police’s serious violence unit, uses specialist skills to disrupt and dismantle county lines.

County lines reference a form of criminal activity in which drug dealers in major cities establish networks for the supply and sale of drugs to users in towns and rural areas.

Insp Jones said: “Along with enforcement, the team works tirelessly with our partners to support and safeguard the vulnerable people who are often exploited as part of county lines model.

“Those who sell drugs cause significant harm in our communities. They may think they can get away with it, but we will relentlessly pursue anyone who tries to sell drugs in Essex.”

Warning – Inspector Mark Jones said the force will take robust action against anyone who thinks they can act above the law (Image: Northumbria Police)

The deaths have shocked the city but reflect a concerning trend showing a rise in drug deaths.

The most recent data on the issue published by the Office for National Statistics showed that drug related fatalities in Colchester jumped by more than 60 per cent in 2022.

Colchester also has an average mortality rate for drugs related deaths which is higher than that which is recorded nationally.