Colchester care home burglary provokes police appeal

Staff at Colonia Court care home, in St Andrew's Avenue, contacted the police at 7.40am on Wednesday to report money had been stolen from a vending machine, which had been smashed open.

A further report was then made to police after it was discovered someone had broken into a shed on the premises and stolen a bike.

Police believe the incident took place between 6.30pm on Tuesday and 6.30am on Wednesday.

The suspect is yet to be identified, but Essex Police has urged anyone with any information about the incident to contact them on 101 or online via www.essex.police.uk/digital101, and quote incident number 189 of 25 September.

Upset - Tim Young said the crime was 'despicable' (Image: Tim Young)

Greenstead councillor Tim Young said the crime was “despicable” and called for anyone to come forward with information or footage.

He said: “It’s a bit of a low crime to target a care home.

"It's despicable.

“Actually going into the environs of a care home and to get into a vending machine is desperation – they have obviously not thought or don’t care how it affects residents and staff in the care home, who do a wonderful job and try to create a safe space for older people.

“Let’s hope that any information that comes to light will lead to the perpetrators being caught."

A spokesman for Bupa, the healthcare provider which runs Colonia Court, said no residents, staff or care home facilities were affected, and that no other property had been taken apart from the bicycle.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating after a report of a burglary at a premises in St Andrew's Avenue, Colchester.

“We received a call at around 7.40am on Wednesday, September 25, reporting a vending machine had been damaged and money stolen from within.

“We later received a further report stating a bicycle had been stolen from the premises and access also forcibly gained to a shed.

“Our enquiries into these reports are ongoing.”