One punch could cost you everything
A drunken fight could cost you everything - your career, your
family, even your life.
That’s the message from Essex Police as we pledge a zero
tolerance to violence in Colchester and Clacton town centres.
Essex Police will seek to charge all offenders who commit
assault in the towns between 8pm and 6am on a Thursday, Friday or
Saturday into Sunday morning from Monday, August 1, 2011.
The clamp down, which will be reviewed in three months, follows
a seasonal increase in violent crime linked to the night time
economy in Clacton and Colchester.
Essex Police has consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service
before launching the initiative.
Essex Police’s TV Unit has created a short video to help push
home the message.
During the first weekend of the campaign, from Thursday, August 5
to Sunday, August 8, police made 7 arrests in Colchester
and 3 in Clacton.
Of these ten, 3 were released withouth charge and 7 were
released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Supt Darrin Tomkins said: “We want people to come to Colchester
and Clacton and enjoy a good safe night out but there are still a
small minority of people who spoil that for other people.
“Our officers will be out on patrol on foot and by car and if we
catch anyone committing violence on our town centre streets we will
seek prosecution where there is enough evidence.
“The street population increases when the sun is out, people
stay out longer and, as a result, consume more alcohol. We’re not
out to spoil people’s fun but we want to stop people getting
seriously hurt in our towns.
“The initiative launches very soon so my message to people is
take this as a warning and don’t be surprised if you find yourself
put before the courts for acting violently in our towns.
“After three months we’ll review the initiative. For me, a
measure of success will be a reduction in crime and fewer people
getting hurt on the streets of Colchester and Clacton.”