News 8 July to 14 July
An Essex Police officer who risked his life to save a teenager has been presented with the force’s top honour by the Chief Constable.
PC Sam Owen was one of several officers responding to reports of a teenager standing on the edge of a bridge above the A12 last October.
Although colleagues were trying to engage with her, while others were putting roadblocks in place, Sam sensed that she was about to fall and positioned himself on the road beneath so he could break it.
Presenting Sam with the Merit Star in front of the teenager and her family, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington told him:
“Every day in this great force, exceptional things are done and achieved.
“But every now and then there is an act, carried out in the line of duty, that is beyond exceptional.
“In those circumstances it is my great privilege and honour to bestow the Merit Star to PC Owen as Essex Police’s highest honour of commendation and recognition.
“Yours was an act of bravery, courage and compassion that saved the life of a teenager in distress, without any thought for your own safety.
“It was a truly remarkable and selfless act, Sam. Thank you.”
Pupils give a “thumbs up” as they get the chance to see an HGV up-close as part of road safety talk.
Ahead of the summer holidays, Essex Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit used a lorry to give a “thumbs up” road safety talk to Thurrock primary school pupils, so they can stay safe in the holidays.
Sergeant Jason Dearsley was joined by his Commercial Vehicle Unit colleague PC Bowyer and Chigwell Roads Policing officer, PC Wright, in giving a talk to the pupils at Harris Primary School, South Stifford, on Wednesday 8 July.
A Special Constable starting their first shift with Essex Police made their first arrest in just 15 minutes.
SC Nathan Barnes started at 3pm on Sunday 7 July, and was in the middle of an induction at Chelmsford’s Community Policing Hub when he and his sergeant received a description of a man wanted for a theft from Marks and Spencers in the city centre earlier that week.
The pair headed to the High Street and were advised by a Police Community Support Officer the suspect was spotted outside Waterstones book shop.
Approaching the man quickly and calmly, SC Barnes detained him and led him to the back of their police car – all before 3.14pm – and escorted him to Clacton Police Station and into custody.
On the morning of Friday 12 July, officers seized 13 dogs following intelligence around illegal breeding of XL bully dogs in Colchester.
Officers attended the address shortly after 10am to facilitate a warrant under Section 5 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The warrant followed intelligence from the RSPCA around concerns for the welfare of dogs at the property in Mile End, Colchester.
On attendance, officers located 13 dogs including eight young puppies. These dogs were seized in order to determine their breed.
A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession and breeding of a banned breed an animal cruelty offences.
He has now been released under investigation.
 Man, 20, jailed following death of 16-year-old, Andy Wood
A man has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Elijah Clark, 20 from Chelmsford appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, 12 July where he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
The sentence followed an investigation by Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate following the death of 16-year-old Andy Wood in Chelmsford in February 2023.
Officers were called to Waterson Vale in Chelmsford at around 11:30pm on 12 February 2023 following reports of a boy being seriously assaulted. The victim, 16-year-old Andy Wood from Braintree was taken to hospital where he sadly died.
His family paid tribute to him, describing him as a “Fantastic human being” who will be “remembered by all that he touched as an amazing, loving, caring son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend that did not deserve to be taken away so soon.”
 Gavin PLumb
Sentenced for life - dangerous predator who plotted to kill TV star
Gavin Plumb, 37, of Potters Field, Harlow, has been handed a life sentence for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter, Holly Willoughby.
The streets of Essex are safer today for women and girls after a dangerous sexual predator, who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder the television presenter, was handed a life-sentence and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison.
Following a robust investigation by Essex Police’s Major Crime Team, which led to the successful conviction of 37-year-old Gavin Plumb, he was today sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.
During a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, jurors were told Plumb had been plotting an attack on Holly Willoughby since 2021.
 missing man Stephen Taylor
Basildon: Family appeal to find missing man Stephen Taylor
The family of missing man Stephen Taylor have spoken of the “indescribable stress” which his disappearance has caused and have urged him to please make contact as soon as he can.
Stephen, from Basildon, was last seen three months ago on 13 April.
We’ve been working hard to find him, including officers searching significant areas, working with transport police and train operators to monitor the rail network and pursuing all opportunities available to us to around his personal electronic devices.
 Two men recalled to prison
Thanks to our Road Crime Team officers keeping you safe, two men have been recalled to prison.
Our Road Crime Team officers were on a routine patrol on Tuesday 9 July when they received information about a stolen car being driven in the Benfleet area.
Almost immediately they spotted the stolen Citroen.
The driver failed to stop for officers, and a short pursuit ensued but was brought to a halt after the driver collided with another car and metal railing in Canvey Road. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
The Citroen driver and passenger tried to run off but were detained thanks to support from Castle Point Local Policing Team officers and members of the public who directed officers to locate the pair.
The car had been reported stolen in Kent less than 12 hours earlier.
Enquiries at the scene discovered the pair were both wanted on recall to prison for breaching conditions imposed.
The 24-year-old driver from Kent was arrested on suspicion of theft of vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop and drug driving. He was further arrested for no insurance and no driving licence.
Both the driver and the 27-year-old passenger from Colchester were transferred to prison.
 Francisco Maya
Harlow: Man stealing laptops from hospital during pandemic jailed
A hospital contractor who stole laptops from an Essex hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic has been jailed for 15 months.
Francisco Maya, a 37-year-old of Dagenham Road in Dagenham, was working at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow during May and June 2020, when several laptops were ordered to support the work of hospital staff.
Maya then took as many as 20 of these laptops from the hospital over two months, leaving the boxes they arrived in at the hospital to avoid being detected.
He then sold several of these online and when the serial numbers were checked by the new owners, the manufacturer was alerted that they were stolen.
Maya was arrested in July 2020 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft. Following a three-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in April 2024, he was found guilty and on Friday 5 July at the same court was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
 Marine Unit patrols to keep visitors safe in and on the water
Between the start of April and 30 June, marine officers have spent an extra 413 hours on patrol, mainly engaging with personal watercraft (PWC) riders, powerboat drivers and sailors, explaining our PWC Code of Conduct and outlining local water byelaws.
Operation Wave-Breaker runs from April until the start of September each year in Essex. In its first three months this year, marine officers have stopped and spoken to the riders of 55 PWCs and seven powerboat drivers.
So far, one powerboat driver and five PWC riders have been reported for breaching local byelaws. Prosecutions are brought by local councils.
 Meet Detective Inspector Emma Portfleet
Meet Detective Inspector, Emma Portfleet, who joined Essex Police in 2006, Find out why she enjoys being a detective and how partnership working has helped to keep vulnerable children safe.
When did you join Essex Police and why?
"I joined in 2006. I was encouraged by my partner at the time as he was passionate about wanting to be in the police.
"It wasn’t a career I had really thought about. I'd been applying for a range of jobs following university. This had included a Health and Safety officer for one of the London Boroughs."
What is the most rewarding part of the job or the part you enjoy the most?
"It would be easy to say getting a positive result at court. But in the department I work in, Crime and Public Protection, it can be something much smaller.
"Having the opportunity to help make someone safe, even if we are unable to take any further legal action at that time, is a reward in itself."
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 15 July
10am to 12pm
Walton Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on Naze.
10am to 11am
Hullbridge Parish Council, 98 Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Hockley SS5 6EX
6pm to 7pm
Black Lion, The Street, High Roding
10am to 11am
The Bread Box, 8 Heralds Way, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5TQ
10am to 11am
Northlands Park near the Cafe, Felmores
Tuesday 16 July
11am to 12pm
Corringham library, St Johns Way
11am to 1pm
Southend High Street near Odeon, Southend,
2pm to 3pm
Grays Library, Thameside Complex Orsett Road, Grays
2pm to 3pm
Waitrose, London Road, Leigh,
Wednesday 17 July
10am to 12pm
Walton Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on Naze.
10am to 11am
Costa Coffee, Kiosk, 14, Northlands Pavement Pitsea Centre, Pitsea, SS13 3DU
10:30am to 11:30am
Manningtree Library, High Street, Manningtree.
11am to 12pm
Stanford Le Hope Library, High Street
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Winbrook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7PA
2pm to 3pm
Avondale Road, Rayleigh SS6 8NL
2:30pm to 3:30pm
The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh SS6 7ED
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Costa, Cherry Orchard Way, Rochford SS4 1PN
Thursday 18 July
10am to 12pm
Walton Library, 52 High Street, Walton on Naze.
10am to 11am
Gemmas of Leigh, 95-97 Broadway West, Leigh,
10:30am to 11:30am
CVST, Harwich Hub, High Street, Dovercourt.
11am to 12pm
Waterside Farm Leisure Centre - Somnes Avenue, Canvey Island
Friday 19 July
10am to 12pm
Outside Tesco's, Edinburgh Way, Harlow, CM20 2TG
10am to 11am
Morrison's Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Road, Hockley SS5 4BE
10:30am to 11am
Birdbrook Community House
11am to 1pm
Crime prevention stall, High Street, Brentwood
2:45pm to 3:15pm
Earls Hall Primary School, Carlton Avenue, Westcliff.
3pm to 4pm
Hadleigh library, 180 London Road Hadleigh, Benfleet
5:30pm to 6:30pm
McDonalds Unit 1, Williamsburg Avenue, Harwich.
Saturday 20 July
9:30am to 1:00pm
Market Square, Saffron Walden
9:30am to 10:30am
Billericay Library 143 High Street, Billericay CM12 9AB
Saturday 20 Jul, 2024 10:00am to 11:00am
M&S Food, Unit 1, Brook Park West, T Grove, Clacton on Sea.
10:30am to 11:30am
Jaywick Library, Golf Green Road, Jaywick
11am to 12pm
Great Tarpots library, 127 London Road, South Benfleet, Benfleet
Sunday 21 July
10am to 12pm
Coffee Base, North Square, Newhall. Harlow, CM17 9TW
11am to 12pm
Eastgate Shopping Centre Food Court, Southernhay, Basildon SS14 1AG
12:00pm to 6:00pm
Southend High Street near Odeon, Southend
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Keep burglars out of your business
You may have invested a great deal of time, energy and money in your business premises, but burglars make it their business to break in.
Protect your hard work with a robust security system, regular checks, and employee vigilance.
Our Business Crime Team are here to support our local business community. They work to prevent businesses, staff and customers from becoming a victim of crime.
Be fraud smart
Your social media accounts contain a wealth of information which criminals can exploit or sell.
Setting up 2-step verification where possible could help keep criminals from accessing this.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Licensing Officer £27,789
HR Business Partner £48,966
Scrutiny Officer £33,915
Contact Centre Officers £24,921 to £27,351
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Charles William Gillings
Read about the career of Charles Gillings who served with Southend Borough Constabulary from April 1, 1914 and died on July 18, 1916.
Norman Kaye
Read about the career of Norman Kaye who served with Essex County Constabulary from September 26, 1938 and died on July 18, 1943.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Vera Bayliss
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Vera Bayliss who retired as a Detective Sergeant in 1978 and served at Romford, Brentwood, Pitsea, Basildon, Chelmsford and Headquarters. She passed away on the 24 June 2024 aged 98 years.
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