A new anti-crime group is targeting criminals who pick on Essex University students.

The problem-solving team has been set up under the Colchester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership's United Solutions (US) scheme.

Students at the university have suffered a series of assaults and burglaries over the last few months, including a spate of laptop computer thefts from rooms.

US was launched earlier this year to target crime problems in specific areas. Members of the community were urged to nominate trouble-spots.

The team looking at the university, the first of its kind in the town, includes representatives from the police, the university, Colchester Council and the students' union.

Community safety sergeant Paul Johnson, of Colchester police, said of the meeting: "It was very constructive and identified areas of work in relation to assaults, burglaries and the gathering and dissemination of information to students and the resident community."

Published Friday, June 27, 2003

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