Colchester and Essex news, sport and information from the Essex County Standard

Pakistan hunt for boy continues

4:51am Thursday 11th March 2010

The search for a five-year-old British boy held captive in Pakistan has continued after his father returned to the UK.

Union to discuss BA strike moves

4:44am Thursday 11th March 2010

British Airways is facing the prospect of crippling strikes by its cabin crew as union bosses meet to decide their next move after talks aimed at resolving a bitter row over cost-cutting broke down.

Pair sentenced over Khyra death

4:00am Thursday 11th March 2010

The mother and stepfather of a seven-year-old girl who starved to death will be sentenced.

High-speed rail plan to be unveiled

3:37am Thursday 11th March 2010

Plans for a high-speed rail (HSR) network featuring 250mph trains will be announced by the Government.

Force slammed over stalker murder

3:16am Thursday 11th March 2010

The police watchdog has delivered a damning report after finding "individual and systemic" failures in one force following the murder of a woman by her stalker, dubbed the Facebook Fugitive.

Nottinghamshire police 'are worst'

3:16am Thursday 11th March 2010

Nottinghamshire Police is the worst performing force in England and Wales, according to new figures.

Anti-social behaviour action plea

3:16am Thursday 11th March 2010

Urgent action must be taken by senior officers to improve understanding of the toll anti-social behaviour is taking on their communities, the head of the police inspectorate said.

Care levy 'may hit estates by 10%'

1:38am Thursday 11th March 2010

A levy to pay for the Government's proposed National Care Service could take 10% off people's estates after they died, Health Secretary Andy Burnham has suggested.

Change 'may fuel jail overcrowding'

1:07am Thursday 11th March 2010

Some of Britain's leading judges warned an impending shake-up in sentencing guidelines could lead to an increase in prison overcrowding, it has been reported.

Another Labour MP in expenses probe

12:02am Thursday 11th March 2010

Another Labour MP is under police investigation over his parliamentary expenses, it has been reported.