News 28 February to 5 March
 Swan rescue in Stanway
Last Wednesday, PCSO Compton was swanning around in the Stanway area when we were called to reports of a swan trying to cross the road.
It led to PCSO Compton's colleague asking "why did the swan cross the road?"
PCSO Compton replied "Probably got lost and tried to wing it"
The swan was safely returned to a nearby lake.
Man sentenced under new Online Safety Act
Officers secured one of the first convictions under the new Online Safety Act in Essex and jailed a domestic abuser for eight months.
Karn Statham, of Barnadiston Road in Colchester, had sent several threatening and malicious messages to a woman and intimidated her with visits to her address multiple times after being asked to leave her alone.
The threats escalated on Friday 16 February and continued over the weekend, with the victim reporting the incidents to the police.
Officers visited the victim on Monday 19 February. When speaking to the victim, 29-year-old Statham visited the address again where he was arrested, damaging a police vehicle in the process.
He attended Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 21 February and pleaded guilty to charges of criminal damage, and sending communication threatening death or serious harm, which is now a crime under the new Online Safety Act as of October 2023.
Drugs, firearms and cash seized as five charged
Firearms, drugs and high-value clothing worth a suspected six-figure sum were seized in a series of warrants focused on disrupting a drug network in Essex.
Our specialist drugs officers, working in partnership with Metropolitan Police colleagues, have also secured charges against five people.
This follows extensive work building intelligence against a drug line bringing crack cocaine and heroin from London to the streets of Harwich.
Last Wednesday 27 February, this work resulted in warrants being executed across Harwich, Clacton, Colchester, Stratford and Croydon.
 Dangerous motorcycle riding in Cowdray Avenue
Last Tuesday, officers were called to the Cowdray Avenue area of Colchester after a member of the public spotted a motorcycle being driven dangerously. Two people on the motorcycle were not wearing helmets.
CCTV footage led officers to a nearby address. A 14 year old boy was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle. While at the address officers also recovered a motorbike which had been stolen.
PS Andrea Brady of the City Centre Policing Team said
"We are aware of the current incidents involving theft of mopeds and motorbikes around Colchester and are working proactively to bring those responsible to justice. This incident shows that we are committed to tackling these issues with the quick response in attending the area and also investigations through CCTV to identify a person believed to be involved. My team will continue to work and bring those responsible to justice."
Mersea: Man charged with sexual offences
We were alerted to the incident on Wednesday 28 February after a woman reported being strangled and sexually assaulted.
Abuser breaching court order sent back to prison
A domestic abuser on Colchester has been jailed again after breaching his restraining order within hours of leaving prison.
11 more arrests as we tackle violent crime
Our Operational Support Group (OSG) arrested 11 people over the last 48 hours who were wanted in connection with a number of serious offences.
Man charged after man threatened
Connor Downer, 19, of Maidenburgh Street, Colchester, faces four charges:
Two arrests after Co-op burglary
We were alerted to a break-in at the address, in Mersea Road, shortly after 1.30am on Monday 4 March.
It was reported individuals were attempting to steal alcohol from the premises.
After obtaining a description of the suspects, officers attended the scene and located two men in the area of Napier Road.
Both were detained and in handcuffs by 1.44am.
 The Colchester Community Policing Team have been completing a variety of work over the last two weeks since my last Blog. Two weeks ago we took part in the Essex wide Operation Stronghold which focusses on hi visibility policing in our city centres ensuring we tackle issues raised by the local community. We complete these operations together with our partners from the community safety partnership as well as wider partners from regional or national partners such as immigration. Community safety is a top priority for Essex Police and is one of the main responsibilities of the Community Policing Team and by working with partners and our communities we can all ensure community safety is improved.
During this week of action the team undertook a day of action every day, ensuring we tackled issues raised to us such as road safety, drug supply, anti-social behaviour, knife enabled crime and violence, hi-visibility patrols and engagement. There was a multi-agency day of action in the North Station area that saw Colchester City Council, Police, Street Wardens, Housing and Immigration complete a variety of work in the area looking at both support for local residents and businesses as well as tackling issues relating to civil and criminal matters. The policing team completed another day of action at castle park, completing joint work with the Park Rangers and even attended the local Park Run, which is a free community event put on each week by volunteers. The police cadets assisted on a night of activity, visiting local hotels and shops, testing policies and staff on the selling of age related products as well as child exploitation.
We have continued to focus on retail crime and acquisitive crime, we arrested two people for stealing over £1500 worth of makeup from the city centre, we have also arrested another male for theft of motor vehicle and recovered 2 stolen mopeds as a result of this arrest. I understand the community concerns and frustration around the perceived lack of action regarding motor bike and moped thefts but we are currently awaiting a number of court cases to be heard at court. When we arrest and have sufficient evidence to charge someone for a criminal offence, we have two possible outcomes to consider. One option is to bail that person to court with conditions to adhere to prior to attendance at court and the second option is to remand that person straight into custody and bring them before the next available court for the court to decide whether they should be bailed or remanded into prison until their court case hearing. If someone is bailed and they breach their bail conditions then can we arrest them and then remand them to court for breaching their conditions and then again the court will decide whether to remand them into prison until their court hearing. To remand someone to prison the courts have to be satisfied that certain conditions are met.
Our Police community support officers (PCSO’s) have an important role to help and support our communities and a key part of their role is listening to the concerns of the communities and ensuring action is taken to address these concerns. PCSO’s attend many engagement events and will provide advice and support around crime prevention as well as assisting in getting help and support for those who need it from partner agencies. They carry out a variety of work each week and some of it very unusual as you may have read at the top of the newsletter.
Please have a safe week
Inspector Jenna Mirrington-French
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Wednesday 6 March 10am to 11am
Lakelands Community Centre 2 Western Approach, Stanway, Colchester
Wednesday 6 March 10am to 11:30am
Wimpole Road Church, 49 Wimpole Road, Colchester, CO1 2DL
Thursday 7 March10:30am to 11:30am
One Colchester Hub, 4-6 Long Wyre Street, CO1 1LH
Thursday 7 March 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Tiptree Tea Room, Museum and Jam Shop, Factory Hill, Tiptree, CO5 0RF
Tuesday 19 March 1pm to 2pm
Duchy Barn, Royal Square, Dedham
 Oil tank theft
Oil is used to heat homes or buildings. Oil tanks are targeted by thieves as they contain valuable oil and are normally outside.
Prevent theft
Although oil tank theft is increasing, there are steps you can take to keep your oil tank safe:
- Hide the location of the tank
- Fit your oil tank with a padlock or lockable filler cap
- Secure the oil tank within a cage
- Install lockable gates
- Fit an electronic gauge, which can activate an alarm when the oil level drops
- Fit security lights near to the oil tank location
- Fit CCTV cameras
Be fraud smart
Business fraud is simply the intent or the act of misrepresentation – scammers lying about themselves or their actions and services – to cause a gain or loss.
With limited resources and in tough economic conditions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tend to think more about innovation, growth and survival rather than due diligence, internet controls and risk management. These can often seem expensive, hard work and involve a lot of paperwork.
But this approach leaves SMEs particularly vulnerable to fraud, with many owners and managers unaware of the risks their businesses face.
It’s important to recognise that a fraud can come from anywhere, including:
- staff members
- customers
- suppliers
- third parties, unconnected to the business
From the start, fraud can seem complicated and difficult to understand, as criminals use a variety of tools and techniques.
We can’t provide a single solution to prevent all business fraud, but the information below will help you identify the most common types and take action to protect yourself, your staff and your business.
 Are there any exemptions to wearing a seatbelt?
The exemptions to wearing a seatbelt are:
- a person who has a medical certificate, which states that on medical grounds it is not advisable for them to wear a seatbelt (including for pregnancy);
- drivers of vehicles performing manoeuvres which include reversing (three-point turn). This includes a qualified driver supervising a learner driver performing manoeuvres including reversing;
- the driver of or a passenger in a goods vehicle on a journey not exceeding 50 metres undertaken for delivering or collecting anything;
- a disabled person who is wearing a disabled person's belt;
- a person driving/riding in a vehicle for fire brigade or police purposes or for carrying a person in lawful custody including the detained person himself;
- the driver of a licensed taxi while being used for seeking hire, or answering a call for hire, or carrying a passenger for hire;
- a private hire vehicle while it is being used to carry a passenger for hire;
- a person driving a vehicle used under a trade licence whilst investigating or fixing a mechanical fault with the vehicle;
- a person involved in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown or which is commonly or customarily held, or a procession which a notice under section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 has been issued;
- a person conducting a test of competence to drive and the wearing of a seatbelt would endanger himself or any other person;
- a person driving a vehicle if the driver's seat is not provided with an adult belt;
- a person riding in the front of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for them in the front of the vehicle;
- a person riding in the rear of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for them in the rear of the vehicle;
- a person riding in a small or large bus which is being used to provide a local service in a built-up area (where the entire route consists of restricted roads);
- a person riding in a small or large bus which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of standing passengers and on which the operator permits standing; or
- a person riding in an ambulance while the person is providing medical attention or treatment to a patient which due to its nature or the medical situation of the patient cannot be delayed.
Failing to wear a seat belt outside any of these exemptions is an offence.
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