Reports of street crime in Colchester have risen hugely.
Reports of robberies in the town have leapt by almost 80 percent over the last year.
And many of the victims have been targeted for their mobile phones.
Despite Home Secretary David Blunkett's assertions that Britain's streets are now safer, other Essex towns are also witnessing a rise in street crime.
Between September, 2001, and September, 2002, 86 robberies have taken place on Colchester's streets.
This is a 79 per cent increase on figures for the previous year.
During the same period, Braintree has seen a massive 185 per cent rise and incidents in Tendring have jumped by 80 per cent.
But Chief Inspector Mick Jones, of Colchester police, said the new National Crime Reduction Standard introduced in April, meant any robbery reported by a member of the public was now recorded as a robbery.
He said before April crimes were only recorded in light of credible evidence.
Published Friday October 25, 2002
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