I was very surprised to read a statement by Colchester’s police inspector Stuart Austin stating that Colchester is a safe place for people to live, work and visit after three people were seriously assaulted on Saturday evening (Gazette, November 1, “City attacks put 2 people in hospital”).

Mark Goacher, Castle Ward councillor also stated it was rare for people to encounter crime on our streets.

Back in September Colchester Council leader David King said the borough remains a safe place and assaults in the city centre were rare but disturbing.

However on the same page it stated hate crimes offences had soared by 40 per cent year on year, anti-social behaviour offence crimes increased by 13 per cent, sexual offence crimes up by 24 per cent plus stalking and harassment up by 13 per cent year on year.

Every day there appears to be reports in the paper of people being attacked on our streets and more recently there was a death in Distillery Lane.

Just who are these people trying to kid or do they live in cloud cuckoo land?

We are asked every year if we are willing to pay more for our police force so there can be more police on the streets.

Each year we pay more, but as yet I have seen no more police patrolling the streets whilst crime continues to rise.

Avril Foster

Prettygate