News 17 June to 23 June
 Thurrock: Gwen celebrates her 100th birthday with police ride-along
Stanford-le-Hope centenarian Gwen Lewis was given VIP treatment by Thurrock Community Policing Team to mark her 100th birthday.
Gwen, who has lived in the same retirement complex for the past 30 years, was visited by PC Javier Rodriguez-Perez, PC Neil Brand, PCSO Josephine Ribet and PCSO Reece Bromley, to fulfil her birthday wish of having a ride in a police car.
Gwen went on a patrol of her local area and kept a keen eye out for anyone up to mischief before heading home for some well-deserved tea and cake with the officers and fellow residents and staff.
“The journey was lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Gwen. “Thank you so much all of you. You’ve made it at a lovely day for me. You’re like angels to me!”
 Volunteer Police Cadets attend Trooping of the Colour
On Saturday 15 June Volunteer Police Cadets from across the county had the honour to be invited to participate in the Trooping of the Colour ceremony for the Kings Birthday celebrations.
Supported by Citizens in Policing Manager Neil Dibell and Volunteer Police Cadets Manager JoJo Mitchell, the Cadets from Colchester, Harwich, Southend, Thurrock and Epping took part in the event alongside Police Cadet units from City of London, Hertfordshire and The Metropolitan Police. Cadets were able to watch the parade from the youth enclosure before leading the youth sector and public parade along the mall with the ceremonial policing units.
Cadets then paraded in the front row at Buckingham Palace where they witnessed the tradition of the Royal family greeting the public from the balcony and the celebratory flyover.
 Cadet Davy Heys from Epping said the event was
"The most amazing experience to have been a part of! It was such an honour! I felt so patriotic walking down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace and am so grateful to the VPC for giving me this opportunity."
Cadet Evie Barrington from Harwich said that
“Attending Trooping the Colour was an unforgettable experience. I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to the Essex Police Cadets for giving me the opportunity to attend this remarkable event.”
Cadet Rebecca Bush from Thurrock stated
“It was incredible! Marching for the King is certainly something that not many are given the opportunity to experience. I’m so proud to be a Police cadet as it gives me so many special memories to treasure, just like this one.”
Cadets in attendance were Ellie Edgeway – Colchester, Evie Barrington & Hope Barrington – Harwich, Harry Hollis & Oliver Holiday – Southend, Alexandra-Nita Morariu, Rebecca Bush and Jamie Willis – Thurrock, Davy Heys & Mitzy Levene – Epping Forest.
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 Stansted Airport: Women charged after aircraft damaged
Two women have been charged as part of our response to an incident in the private area of an airfield at Stansted Airport.
We were called shortly before 5.10am on Thursday 20 June, to reports of two people having gained access to an area which is away from the runway and main passenger terminal, before causing damage to two aircraft.
As a result of our preparedness for incidents of this kind, officers were on the scene quickly and two people were arrested within nine minutes from the moment of the call being made to us.
Cole Macdonald, 22, of Baker Street, Brighton, and Jennifer Kowalski, 28, of Williamson Avenue, Dumbarton have now been charged with criminal damage valued at more than £5,000, aggravated trespass and interfering with national infrastructure.
Both women appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 22 June.
 Southend: Prolific shoplifter jailed
James Coleman had been made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order in March last year, banning him from entering certain shops in Southend and Westcliff for two years.
 Billericay: Man jailed for 22 years for non-recent sexual offences against children
A detective from our Child Abuse Investigation team has praised the bravery of victims, after a man was jailed last week following an investigation into non-recent sexual abuse of children.
 Rivenhall: Dangerous driver jailed over minibus collision
A drug driver responsible for a head-on collision that seriously injured two people has been sentenced to detention at a young offender institution.
Daniel Berncastel of West End Road, Tiptree, Colchester, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday 18 June to answer two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision last year.
The 19-year-old was sentenced to 23 months in custody after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
He must pay compensation of £500 to each victim and will be subject to a driving disqualification spanning two years and 11 months, with a mandatory re-test before he can hold a licence.
Daniel Berncastel admitted driving along Oak Road, Rivenhall, at around 9am on Thursday 6 July 2023, heading towards the A12 and travelling in excess of the 30mph speed limit.
As he took a left-hand bend at 50mph, he drove on the wrong side of the road, straight into the path of an on-coming minibus.
The ensuing serious collision rendered both vehicles write-offs.
Newly disqualified driver given second ban after driving home from court
A newly disqualified driver was banned a second time after he drove home from a court hearing when he was disqualified from driving.
Can Koroglu of Copthall Green, Waltham Abbey, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 13 June where he was disqualified from driving for six months.
The 34-year-old had been found guilty of no insurance and under the “totting up” rule, he was immediately disqualified from driving.
Koroglu then got into his car and drove away from the hearing.
Officers were alerted to this fact and Roads Policing officers deployed to the area. Koroglu was stopped just short of his home address by Epping Forrest Town Centre Team officers, within an hour of the sentence being passed.
He was remanded in custody to appear at the same court the following day, Friday 14 June, where he faced a charge of driving whilst disqualified.
The court handed down a 10-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months and issued a new 18 month driving ban, three times longer than the original ban along with over £200 fines and costs.
 Southend: Knives seized and dangerous driver taken off our roads
Two bladed weapons were seized and a dangerous driver taken off our roads after officers stopped a stolen car in Southend.
Officers responded after we were called to reports of people brandishing knives inside a vehicle in Ruskin Avenue.
After the call came in at around 12.25pm on Wednesday 22 May, specially trained pursuit officers were on the tail of the vehicle in question by 1.10pm, signalling for it to stop by activating their blue lights.
The vehicle, a Ford Kuga, was later found to be on cloned number plates.
The Kuga failed to stop for our officers and a pursuit followed through Southend and into Great Wakering.
During the pursuit, the Kuga was driven onto the wrong side of the road, over the pavement near the entrance to a school and reached dangerously high speeds.
After entering High Street, Great Wakering, officers cut the Kuga off, blocking and making tactical contact with the vehicle to prevent any further risk to the public.
 Braintree: Burglar jailed for targeting blind victim
A burglar who targeted his blind victim’s home has been jailed after responding officers caught him within two hours of the offence.
The victim was asleep at his address, in Braintree, when he was alerted to the presence of Rory Lockley-Steward, who had climbed inside through a window.
He managed to grab at Lockley-Steward, removing one of his trainers in the process.
The burglar made off with the victim’s mobile phone, a tin containing a three-figure sum of cash and prescription medication.
Officers were called out at around 12.11am on 12 May this year and were swiftly on the scene, recovering Lockley-Steward’s shoe from the address.
They also moved to track the victim’s stolen phone.
Lockley-Steward was traced to Coggeshall Road, Braintree, by 1.25am that same night, where officers caught him hiding behind a vehicle.
He made significant comments to the arresting officers, captured on body worn video, including asking for his shoe back.
Once in custody and inside a holding cell, he spat at the cell door and on the floor.
Lockley-Steward, 24, was charged with and admitted burglary and criminal damage.
Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 10 June, he was jailed for 32 months.
 Coming next week
Response policing week of action begins today. Police forces across the country will celebrate the hard work, dedication and bravery of those who respond to calls from the public and confront criminals day and night.
We'll be highlighting the work of Essex Police response teams and specialist support services on our website and our social media accounts throughout this week and there will be a round-up of the activity in Dispatch issue 157 due out on Monday 1 July.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 24 June
1pm to 2pm
The Range, 27 to 34 High Street, Chelmsford CM1 1DA
3pm to 4pm
Canvey library 2 High Street, Canvey Island
Tuesday 25 June
10am to 11am
Essex Police fraud and scams officer - Soken House, 1 Triangle Shopping Centre, Rochford Way, Frinton on Sea.
11am to 1pm
Crime prevention stall - Brentwood High Street, Brentwood
Wednesday 26 June
10am to 12pm
Farnham Coffee Morning, Farnham
10:30am to 11:30am
Chelmsford Library, Chelmsford County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee, 2 Victoria Road, Buckhurst Hill
2pm to 3pm
Southchurch Hall Museum, Park Lane, Southend on sea
2pm to 3pm
Henham Community Shop, High Street, Henham
3pm to 4pm
Starbuck Coffee Shop Easgate Shopping Centre Basildon SS14 1AG
Thursday 27 June
9am to 10:30am
Touchpoint, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted
10am to 12pm
Mercury Theatre , Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT,
10am to 12pm
Fyfield Village Hall, Houchin Drive, Ongar
1:30pm to 2:30pm
Miracle House, Silver island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
Friday 28 June
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Road, Hockley SS5 4BE
12pm to 2pm
Scott's Garden Centre, Sutton Road, Rochford SS4 1LQ
2pm to 3pm
Blenheim Primary School, School Way, Leigh on sea
3pm to 4pm
Co-op, Church Road, Stansted
Saturday 29 June
9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
10am to 12pm
Rayne coffee morning, Rayne village hall
10am to 11am
Ha'penny Pier, The Quay, Harwich.
11am to 3pm
St Saviours Church, 33 Kings Road, Westcliff on sea
11am to 12pm
Oakwood Park, 564 Rayleigh Road, Leigh on sea
12pm to 1pm
Cafe on the Water & Gift Shop, Giffords Lane, Downham, Chelmsford
4pm to 5pm
Colchester Library 21 Trinity Square, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JB
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Secure windows
With temperatures set to soar this week, burglars target windows as they can offer easier access than doors. Check how your windows look from the outside, removing potential access points where you can.
Tips for windows that are within reaching distance:
1. Laminated glass or security film is recommended for ground floor and accessible windows.
2. A sash stop prevents anyone opening the sash window enough to climb through.
3. Key operated locks are recommended for window types that open out, rather than up, and any ground floor or accessible windows. Remember, window locks are only effective if used, so check that you have locked them before you leave home or go to bed.
4. Window opening restrictors allow you to ventilate your home but make sure they can’t be picked and unlocked from outside.
Booking a holiday online?
If the hot weather is tempting you to book a holiday or maybe a short break away, remember to do your research. If something looks too good to be true it probably is.
Stay scam savvy by reading online reviews from reputable sources before making any bookings.
You can also confirm if an accommodation really exists by verifying the address through web searches and online maps.
Always check that travel company is a member of a trade body e.g., ATOL
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Contact Centre Officers £24,921 to £27,351
Clinical Governance Manager £53,265
Campaigns and Partnerships Manager £45,546
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Leonard Wilfred Vernon
Leonard Vernon served with Essex County Constabulary from 6 November 1935. From Headquarters he was posted to Romford from 21 December 1935 and then Harold Wood from 20 November 1936. Subsequently Leonard moved back to Headquarters where he remained until leaving the service on 26 October 1941. The following day he joined the Fleet Air Arm. He died on Friday 26 June 1942 whilst serving as Leading Airman FX/88496 at H.M.S. Goshawk, Royal Navy.
Richard Beart Ball
Richard Ball served with Essex County Constabulary from 1 May 1935 having previously served in the army from 30 January 1928 - 15 April 1935. After training Richard was posted to Chelmsford and subsequently saw service in the north of the county. On 9 February 1942 he joined the R.A.F. He went missing on 27 June 1945, whilst serving as Flight Sergeant 1320457 with 117 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Column 449 of the Singapore War Memorial in Singapore.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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