POLICE received almost 90 calls on New Year’s Eve relating to assaults, firework complaints and antisocial behaviour.

Essex Police, the East of England Ambulance Service and the emergency department at Colchester Hospital prepared themselves for a busy night.

Essex Police received 89 calls throughout the day - these were a mixture of 999 and 101 calls.

A police spokesman said: “Calls ranged from assaults to mental health incidents, disturbances, burglaries, calls about fireworks, noise complaints and anti-social behaviour.”

Nightclub bosses have set the record straight after a serious assault happened at their venue.

Police are investigating the assault which happened in Atik on Colchester High Street.

Shortly after 11pm it was reported a man had been ‘stabbed’ with what was thought to be glass following an altercation at the nightclub, involving a number of people.

However the nightclub insisted it was not a stabbing and they use polycarbonate glasses which are virtually unbreakable.

A spokesman for the club said: “When the incident happened the team were quick to intervene and provide support to the injured party. The club will continue to co-operate with the police investigation.”

Mike Lilley, Colchester councillor responsible for public safety, defended the nightclub.

He said: “At the start of December police held a night of action which the council was involved in.

“We went around premises in the town, including Atik.

“We found the pubs and clubs were well organised with a lot of searches as people came in.

“You are always going to get someone who thinks it is clever to injure someone because they have had too much to drink.”

The victim, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-changing.

A 20-year-old man from Ipswich and a 20-year-old man from Witham were arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.They have both been released under investigation.

Colchester Hospital’s emergency department saw 208 patients over the 24 hours.