Date issued: 12 February 2019
The Safer Colchester Partnership (SCP) is taking steps to reassure residents following two stabbings – one of them fatal – in the town centre yesterday (11 February 2019).
As police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder of Carl Hopkins in Ryegate Road, and an attack on another man in George Street, the SCP has pledged to continue its work to support the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) and Team Ten to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Pam Donnelly, Chair of the Safer Colchester Partnership, said: “On behalf of all of the community safety partners working in the borough, I would like to offer my sympathies to everyone affected by these awful crimes and reassure residents that we remain fully committed to ensuring Colchester is a safe and welcoming place that protects all of its communities.
“These tragic incidents reinforce just how vital it is that we continue to work with our partners to deliver a coordinated approach to dealing with violence and anti-social behaviour and their causes, so that we can reduce crime and people’s fear of crime, improve the quality of life for residents and make Colchester safer for all.”
Cllr Mike Lilley, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Public Safety & Licencing, added: “The terrible incidents that occurred yesterday, while still mercifully rare in Colchester, serve to remind us that fighting crime and improving community safety in the borough is best achieved by working in partnership.
“In particular, that means sustaining our efforts with the police to support the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) and the work of Team Ten – both of which are vital to help tackle those involved in criminal activity or who are being violent, aggressive or abusive in our borough.
“Since it was launched last August, TCAP has dramatically stepped up action against reported instances of aggressive begging, street drinking, anti-social behaviour, and drug-related offences, all of which is helping to make Colchester a better place to live, work in and visit.
“Residents can be reassured that crime and public safety remain our top priority and that we will continue to further the aims of TCAP and support Team Ten to deal with the small-but-disruptive number of people who are blighting our town centre.”
Cllr Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “The recent events have been very saddening. We have a very close working relationship with the police and are doing everything we can to deal with this specific investigation.”
Page last reviewed: 13 February 2019