News 10 June to 16 June
 Police Dog Bruce takes fifth place at National Police Dogs Trials
Congratulations to PC Andy Blunt who alongside PD Bruce represented Essex Police’s Dog Unit at the National Police Dog Trials in Scotland last month.
Bruce and his handler took part in the four-day event in Tulliallan, Scotland, competing in a series of trials including agility, searching and obedience.
The pair finished in fifth place, beating handlers and their dogs representing 21 forces from across the UK.
They scored a fantastic 738 points out of an available 1,000 points – beating their 7th place finish in 2023.
It’s believed this may be the highest score for any Essex Police pairing in the 62 years the competition has been running.
 Farmers urged to protect their GPS kit
While farmers are gearing up for the busy harvest period, criminals will also be looking to take advantage.
Global-positioning systems (GPS) have become one of the most targeted pieces of farm equipment because of their high value and portability.
So it is vital you protect them and take security precautions, such as activating PIN security on your GPS kit and marking your postcode on the unit’s case.
Park tractors and combine-harvesters out of sight, if you can, removing GPS kit and storing it securely when it’s not being used.
We are working nationally with the National Rural Crime Unit to combat the theft of GPS equipment nationally but, to do this effectively, we need your help.
We are urging farmers, agricultural workers and members of the rural community to report thefts and any suspicious activity - particularly vehicles and people in places they shouldn’t be.
Your information may be the key piece we need to make an arrest.
Southend’s District Commander, Chief Inspector Jo Collins, has said increasing public engagement and addressing local people’s concerns has helped to improve confidence levels and reduce offending.
Ch Insp Collins also cited the work of the force’s Town Centre Team, the importance of being highly visible in the community, and the strong partnerships forged with public sector partners and the local business community as being key to keeping Southend safe.
Across the district, crime is down by 9.6% with 1,940 fewer offences reported in the year to the end of April. Anti-social behaviour decreased by more than a third (34.6%) in the same period.
In a recent survey, Southend residents had the joint-highest levels of confidence in policing in Essex, the most confidence in the quality of service, and 80% believed that officers were doing a good or excellent job.
 Chelmsford: Eight-year sentence for GBH outside nightclub
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison after attacking another man outside a nightclub.
At about 3.30am on Sunday 24 March 2024, Liam Amadi, of Choat Place in Chelmsford, was removed from Popworld in Springfield Road following a fight inside.
Still outside the club, Amadi continued to argue with the group before stabbing a 23-year-old man in the chest.
The victim sustained a life-threatening injury and was cared for at the scene by two trainee paramedics working as security staff at the time of the attack.
Amadi fled the scene on foot but was seen by officers in the town centre. He was stopped and searched before being arrested in connection with the incident.
He was quickly charged with attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a bladed article and affray, and at Chelmsford Crown Court on 24 April he pleaded guilty to GBH and possessing the blade.
The court accepted these pleas and he was remanded in custody for sentencing.
Now, following his latest court hearing on Friday 7 June, Amadi was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison, with a further two years on licence following his release.
 Harlow: Three arrested in drugs warrants
Three people have been arrested as officers carried out warrants at two locations in Harlow. The searches on Thursday, 6 June were part of an investigation into the supply of drugs in the county. A quantity of cannabis, phones, cash and drugs paraphernalia was seized.
Saffron Walden police officer PC Ryan McNamara has thanked members of the public who stepped into help as he arrested a jewellery thief.
Ryan arrested James Happer, 51, as he ran away from Finery and Co jewellers in the town’s King Street.
Happer had stolen £30,970 gold and diamond earrings, rings and a bangle from a display cabinet.
 How Essex officers and firefighters snared serial arsonist
An arsonist who started a string of fires across Harwich, causing significant damage to a unique and historic lightboat, has been jailed following a fast-paced investigation.
Christopher Parker, 34, left the historic LV18, moored at Harwich Quay, irreparably damaged after embarking on an arson spree across the town in February.
The 1958 vessel is unique, and its operational lantern is activated several times a year to support quayside community activities and festivals in Harwich.
The total cost of damage to the boat was estimated at £250,000.
Alongside fire service colleagues, we were called out to the scene on the evening of Friday 2 February.
Separate fires, damaging a van in Station Approach and the interior of Harwich Railway Museum, were reported across the same evening.
 Westcliff: Man jailed for sex offences
A 20-year-old Westcliff man has been jailed for more than four years for multiple sexual offences and making indecent images of children following an investigation by a team of officers at Essex Police.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex
Monday 17 June
10am to 11am
Walton Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on Naze.
11am to 12pm
McDonalds, 24- 26 Pier Avenue, Clacton on Sea
2pm to 4pm
Coffee morning at Age Well, 63 North Hill, Colchester
11am to 12pm
Henham Community Shop, High Street, Henham
Tuesday 18 June
11am to 12pm
Outside Marks & Spencer, 62 High Street, Chelmsford, United Kingdom
6:15pm to 8:15pm
Trinity Methodist Church, 46 Rainsford Road, Chelmsford
3pm to 4pm
Tilbury Hub, Civic Square
11am to 12pm
Sainsbury's, Cricketers Retail Park, Cricketers Way, Basildon SS13 1SA
11am to 11:30am
Tesco Express, Rayleigh Road, Eastwood
Thursday 20 June
11:00am to 1:00pm
Woodside Park, Manor Road, Thundersley, Benfleet
11:30am to 12:30pm
Coffee Plus, Seedbed Centre, Severalls Business Park
Friday 21 June
10am to 12pm
Walton food bank. Standley Road, Walton on Naze.
Saturday 22 June
9:30am to 11am
Saffron Walden Library, 2 Kings Street, Saffron Walden
10am to 11am
M & S Food, Unit 1, Brook Park West, T Grove, Clacton.
10:30am to 11:30am
Lakelands Centre , Stanway
10:30am to 11:30am
Jaywick Library, Golf Green Road, Jaywick.
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silver island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
11am to 1pm
Unit 17, The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham
11:30am to 1:30pm
Great Dunmow Library, Great Dunmow
12pm to 2pm
Grays Town park cafe
12:30pm to 6pm
Henham Fete, Woodend Green, Henham
6pm to 6:30pm
30 Mansell Close, Leigh on sea
Sunday 23 June
10am to 11am
Marks and Spencer , Staine park, Stanway
10:30am to 11:30am
Zest Cafe, University of Essex
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention
If you drink drive, you're not coming home
Finally, it’s here! The Euros started on 14 June and we’re asking you not to drink and drive, otherwise you could find yourself not coming home!
Throughout the competition, our Roads Policing officers will be enhancing patrols targeting drink drivers in Essex to ensure that everyone gets home safe.
They’re asking you to get ahead of the game now, and plan how you’re getting home after each match by booking a taxi, designate a driver, check bus or train timetables or stop over at a friend’s house. But whatever you plan, just don’t plan to drink and drive.
If you’re heading down the pub to watch the Euros, be the friend who looks out for others. If someone’s had too much to drink, stop them from getting behind the wheel.
Be fraud smart
Criminals posing as police officers is common with courier fraud.
They will try to convince you that you are helping an investigation by handing over money or purchasing something.
Our officers will never ask you for money, to buy something or provide your PIN number to them.
We are also aware fraudsters sometimes comment on our Facebook posts offering to help, please do not reply or click on any links.
 “I wanted to go to work and come home feeling like I had made a difference.”
Meet Detective Sergeant Ben Rushmere, he has been part of our team since 2004.
Why did you decide to join Essex Police?
"I'd had several jobs in the private sector and hated the Monday to Friday 'Groundhog Day' feel to life.
"I wanted to go to work and come home feeling like I had made a difference.
"I had family in the police and when I reached out, the more people I spoke to, the more I wanted to join."
 This week we remember
John Henry Coventry
John Coventry served with Essex County Constabulary from 23 April 1923. He joined the Royal Navy as a fifteen year-old, serving from 27 September 1915 until his 23rd birthday. After leaving the navy he worked briefly as a kitchen hand at The London Hospital, Whitechapel Road in Bow, before joining Essex County Constabulary on 23 April 1923. He died on Sunday 20 June 1943, aged 43, at Durban in South Africa whilst serving as Petty Officer Regulating C/M 40309 on the depot/repair ship H.M.S. Wayland, Royal Navy.
 Rodney ‘Rod’ John Leake
Rod Leake joined Essex and Southend-on-Sea Joint Constabulary on 6th July 1972 and was initially stationed at Basildon. His aptitude for driving and motorcycles brought him to the attention of the Traffic Division and he was subsequently posted to Chelmsford Traffic.
At 11.08am on Thursday, 20th June 1996 he was on routine motorcycle patrol on the B1019 road near Ulting, known as Doe's Corner, when he was in a collision with a lorry. He subsequently died from his injuries at Broomfield Hospital. He left a widow, Joan, and two children, Susan and Michael.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Clifford Stollery
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Clifford Stollery who retired as a Chief Inspector in 1990 and served at Chelmsford, Maldon, Harlow, Wickford, Clacton and Headquarters. He passed away on the 26 May 2024 aged 94 years.
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