News 5 August to 11 August
 Repeat offenders left with no choice but to admit their crimes
An operation dedicated to targeting repeat offenders in Southend city centre has seen every case brought to court prosecuted successfully.
Southend Town Centre Team launched Operation Raker last September to target persistent offenders responsible for thefts, assaults and public order offences.
Since then, two officers have been dedicated to working with Southend City Council’s community safety officers, Business Improvement District Rangers and retailers to identify and arrest individuals and prevent their offending from escalating.
To date, 32 repeat and prolific offenders have been brought before the courts to answer for their crimes, which are mostly shop thefts and breaches of court-imposed criminal behaviour orders.
In less than a year, the operation has secured almost 500 charges and convictions in 55 cases.
And courts have imposed a combined total of almost 12 years of custodial sentences and 13 suspended, community or rehabilitative sentences in 46 of those cases.
Seven new criminal behaviour orders have also been imposed on prolific offenders, with a variety of conditions. These can include bans from stores they target and requirements to attend drug and alcohol treatment courses, which help to address their offending behaviour. Breaching one is an offence which can result in a jail term.
Currently, nine offenders are remanded in prison or are on bail pending sentencing.
Chelmsford: 17-year-old arrested as knife and drugs seized
A young man has been arrested after a knife and drugs were seized in Chelmsford.
We were alerted to an incident, outside a venue in Rainsford Road, shortly after 10pm on Friday 9 August.
It was reported that a young man was seen with what was described to us as a machete.
Units were quickly sent to the scene and quick work by numerous officers identified a potential person of interest.
Officers arrived at an address linked to that person and witnessed a man leave and get into a car after placing items in the boot.
That car was then subsequently stopped by police and searched.
In the boot, officers found a large knife and a quantity of what’s believed to be Class A and Class B drugs.
A young man aged 17 and from Chelmsford was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs and possession of an offensive weapon.
He has been released on conditional bail, including to remain at his home between 11pm and 7am daily. All conditions will be monitored.
The items located in the boot of the car have been seized and will be destroyed.
Like other police forces across the country, we had officers prepared for potential planned disorder last Wednesday evening, 7 August.
Our officers were focused on key areas in Southend and Chelmsford.
In Chelmsford, officers reported no public order incidents whatsoever. They remained in the area throughout the evening to reassure the community.
In Southend, a group gathered in Hamlet Court Road shortly after 7pm. Officers engaged with the group and found no offences being committed and no threat or harm being posed.
As that group grew, a number of bystanders began to watch the first group from across the road, which may have made the total number of people involved appear greater than in reality.
Shortly after 8.30pm, a second group consisting of a small number of people did arrive in the area. Officers continued to speak with both groups throughout the evening and at no stage did we assess the situation as close to escalation.
People began to leave the area shortly after 9.15pm with no arrests with a direct connection to this operation having been made.
One man was arrested in the area shortly after 5.15pm on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched by officers. He remains in custody.
Ingatestone: Woman reunited with stolen wedding ring
Two teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of robbery after an 80-year-old woman was confronted in Ingatestone.
The incident happened close to the train station shortly after 2.30pm on Friday 9 August.
Two people holding clipboards were reported to have approached the woman and began talking to her.
The woman was then threatened and pushed. During the altercation, her wedding ring was taken and the two people quickly left the area.
A report was then quickly made to us, with detailed descriptions of the people involved.
Officers were quickly on the scene and carried out a search of the area and stopped and searched two girls. That search resulted in a gold ring matching the description of the victim’s ring being discovered.
Both girls were arrested on suspicion of robbery and fraud and officers are making arrangements to return the ring to the woman.
The girls, aged 17 and 15, have been released on bail with a condition not to enter Ingatestone. Our investigation continues.
 Clacton: A Safe Space is open in the town centre
A Safe Space to help anyone feeling vulnerable or in difficulty is operating in Clacton on weekend evenings throughout the summer.
Officers from Clacton Community Policing Team have established a zone in the town centre at the top of Pier Avenue on Christmas Tree Island where members of the public can share concerns, report incidents or simply say hello.
Representatives of drug and alcohol charity Open Road are also working alongside the team to offer help and advice to anyone who asks.
The Safe Space is in place on Friday and Saturday nights between 6pm and 2am until the end of August.
Great Saling: Appeal following collision
We are appealing for any information or dashcam footage following a collision in Great Saling.
We were called to reports of a collision just after 7.50pm on Sunday 28 July, involving a white Honda motorcycle and a silver Ford transit van at the junction of Grove Villas and The Street.
The passenger on the motorbike sustained minor injuries.
We would like to thank those witnesses who have already spoken to us, and would now like to speak to anyone else who may have dashcam footage of the incident, or witnessed these vehicles in the moments before the collision.
Please contact us quoting incident 1179 of Sunday 28 July.
 Southend Specials team with SC Paula Butteriss, third from right
Southend Specials to take part in charity walk in memory of colleague
Essex Police’s Southend Specials will be taking part in a fund-raising walk, in memory of their colleague, Special Constable Paula Butteriss, who recently lost her battle with cancer.
The walk will bring together family, friends and colleagues who will complete a walk starting and ending at Southend central via Benfleet, on Sunday 18 August.
Joining the Southend Specials in their fund-raising efforts to walk the 17 miles, will be Dean, Paula’s husband, who said:
Paula was amazingly proud to serve in Essex Police as a volunteer police officer, and we’re just as proud of her for doing so.
Roads Policing Unit work with Motor Insurers’ Bureau tackling uninsured vehicles
On Friday 26 July, our Roads Policing Unit officers seized 10 uninsured vehicles as part of a partnership road-safety initiative with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to tackle this important issue.
The operation was the first of a number of days of action planned for the months ahead.
Our Roads Policing Unit officers carry out enforcement activities daily to ensure safety for all road users, by focussing on identifying and targeting those drivers who pose the greatest risk, including uninsured drivers.
Extra funding and data supplied from the Motor Insurance Bureau meant a collaborative approach to prioritise road safety by identifying uninsured vehicles during county-wide patrols.
 Saffron Walden: Officers support Freedom of Uttlesford Parade
Our officers were proud to support 33 Engineer Regiment as they exercised their right and privilege to march through the streets of Uttlesford district.
The Freedom of Uttlesford Parade was held in SaffronWalden on 28 July and saw soldiers from 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search), based at Carver Barracks in Wimbish, march through the town.
Colchester: Three arrests after High Street incident
Three people were arrested within ten minutes of reports of a violent disturbance in Colchester High Street in the early hours of Sunday 11 August.
We were alerted to the incident shortly before 1am, with a caller reporting an altercation close to East Stockwell Street between a number of people, some of whom were armed.
During that altercation a man aged in his 30s had sustained a facial injury.
Whilst his injury is serious, it is thankfully not life-threatening or life-changing.
Officers were quickly at the scene and identified three people in East Stockwell Street, moving towards St Peter’s Street who matched the descriptions of those involved in the incident.
All three, two men aged 22 and 18 and a 14-year-old boy, were quickly arrested on suspicion of GBH and remain in custody.
 Harlow: Tributes to 'loved and respected' woman after fatal collision
The family of a 64-year-old woman who died following a collision at a junction of the M11 near Harlow have paid tribute to her.
Susan Foreman died following a collision involving two cars, at Junction 7A, shortly before 1pm on Friday 5 July. The incident took place close to the roundabout at the A1025.
Susan, who was the driver of one of the cars involved, sadly died at the scene.
Her family said:
“Sue was a beloved wife, mother and grandma, taken too soon.
“She was known as Sue to her friends and family, and she called a spade a spade.
“You always knew where you stood with Sue and we all liked and respected her for it.
“Having competed in field and showing with some success, her true love was training her Munsterlanders and working them.
“As senior Veterinary Nurse, Sue had worked with Kew Vets for almost 30 years and only had a couple of years to go until retirement.
“Sue looked forward to spending more time working with her beloved dogs. She was loved by her colleagues at work.”
Thurrock: Three boys arrested after attempted robbery
Three teenagers have been arrested after a man reported an armed attempt to steal his car at Lakeside.
We received a 999 call shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday 10 August after the man had been confronted while he was in his vehicle outside Hollywood Bowl.
He was threatened by the group with what was believed to be a knife and another weapon.
Thankfully, the victim was able to quickly drive away from the scene and get to a place of safety to make the 999 call.
A number of units, including armed officers, were sent to the area with detailed descriptions of the suspects having been given by the victim.
Three people of interest was quickly identified and began being followed by officers. They then attempted to run off but were tracked and caught by officers and arrested.
Whilst the trio were being searched, a knife and a black-handled hammer were seized.
All three people, boys aged 17, 17 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
At this stage, they remain in custody.
 Harlow: Pair jailed after murder of father-of-three
The family of a beloved father-of-three who was stabbed to death near his home in Harlow have thanked the investigative team who brought his killer to justice.
Tieran Carmody, 19, was jailed for life on Monday 5 August following a trial held at Chelmsford Crown Court. He will serve a minimum of 26 years before he can be considered for parole.
Carmody inflicted a single, fatal stab wound on 35-year-old Max Richardson on Monday 21 August last year.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 12 August
10am to 11am
Great Dunmow Library, White Street, Great Dunmow
10am to 11am
Costa Coffee, Kiosk, 14, Northlands Pavement Pitsea Centre, Pitsea, Basildon SS13 3DU
1pm to 3pm
John Lewis, High Street, Chelmsford, Essex
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Costa, Cherry Orchard Way, Rochford SS4 1PN
Tuesday 13 August
10am to 11am
Wakey Wakey Cafe, 1472 London Road, Leigh on Sea
10:30am to 1:30pm
Property marking event, Co-op, White Street, Great Dunmow
11am to 12pm
Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea
11am to 1pm
Crime prevention stall, High Street, Brentwood
1:30am to 12:30pm
Vange Riverview Centre, Vange, Basildon
11:30am to 1pm
Fraud prevention advice, Walton Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on Naze.
12pm to 2pm
The Megacentre Rayleigh, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7UT
1pm to 3pm
Riverside Leisure Centre, Chelmsford
1pm to 3pm
Indoor Market, Bellmead, Chelmsford
2pm to 4pm
Property marking event, Market Square, Saffron Walden
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Asda, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh SS6 9RN
Wednesday 14 August
10:30am to 11:30am
Manningtree Library, High Street, Manningtree.
10:30am to 12pm
Alresford book cafe, St Andrews Church, St Andrews Close, Alresford.
11am to 1pm
Dog Watch event, Northlands Park near the Cafe, Felmores
11am to 2pm
Emergency Services Day, Southend Seafront, Marine Parade, By the water fountains
1pm to 3pm
B&Q Chelmsford, Homelands Retail Park, Cuton Hall Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Co-op, Church Road, Stansted
Thursday 15 August
10am to 11am
Little Hallingbury Post Office, Lower Road, Little Hallingbury
11am to 12pm
Hadleigh library, 180 London Road Hadleigh, Benfleet
Friday 16 August
10am to 11:30am
Pams Place, Vicarage Mead, Thaxted
10:30am to 11:30am
Jaywick Community & Resource Centre, Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick.
11am to 12pm
South Benfleet library, High Road, South Benfleet
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
5pm to 6pm
Sainsbury, 1355 London Road, Leigh on sea
Saturday 17 August
9:30am to 10:30am
Billericay Library 143 High Street, Billericay CM12 9AB
10am to 4pm
Clacton Fire Station Open Day, 105 St Johns Road, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 11am
Morrison's Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee Unit 2, Town Square, Basildon SS14 1BA
11am to 12pm
Canvey library 2 High Street, Canvey Island
12pm to 1pm
Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey EN9 3EL
Sunday 18 August
11am to 12pm
Outside Marks & Spencer, 62 High Street, Chelmsford, United Kingdom
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Keep it safe
If you have high value items such as jewellery, watches, passports, credit cards, computer data and identification documents, you may want to consider storing them in a safe.
There are two options – either a home safe or a safety deposit vault.
Should you opt for a safe in your home, ensure it is fire rated. Home safes are also insurance rated according to the type and value of items designed to be placed inside, so check with your insurance company first to ensure you are adequately covered.
Position the safe carefully so it won't be easily discovered.
Don't place it in your bedroom as this is the first place a burglar will look. Be sure to effectively secure your safe by bolting it to a wall or floor. For more information on safes, see Secured by Design.
If you have a large amount of family gold or jewellery, you may want to consider using a safety deposit vault. This has the advantage of removing the risk of storing valuables in your own home and can also make your home less of a target to burglars.
Be fraud smart
Are you aware of the latest scams?
Friends Against Scams is a quick online learning programme that can help you understand the different types of fraud there are, how to spot them and how to support anyone who has been a victim.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Contact Centre Officers £24,921 to 27,351
Mechanical Engineer £48,966
Maintenance Co-ordinator £33,915
Electrical Design Engineer £48,966
Senior Architectural Building Surveyor £53,529
Estates Project Manager £41,928
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Henry Charles Pigerham
Henry Pigerham served with Essex County Constabulary from 13 June 1938. He joined the R.A.F. on 11 August 1941 and was one of six men killed during training to be Observers at Picton, in Ontario, Canada on 14 August 1942 whilst serving as Leading Aircraftman (Cadet) 1320030 with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was aged 26.
 Stephen Greet
Steve Greet joined Essex Police on 7 March 1983. Seventeen months into his probation on 14 August 1984, Steve Greet was on an attachment to Harlow Traffic when he and his driver stopped a car on the M11 near Great Hallingbury. While talking to the driver on the hard shoulder of the motorway, Steve was struck and killed by a lorry.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Denys Flint
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Denys Flint who retired as a Sergeant in 1982 and served with the Southend Borough, & Traffic. He leaves a widow Rosemary.
He passed away on 16 July 2024 aged 93 years.
Keith Thomas
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Keith Thomas who retired as a Sergeant in 1992 and served at Leigh on Sea, Traffic, Rayleigh, Braintree & Chelmsford.
He passed away on 19 July 2024 aged 78 years.
Alec Frederick Fox
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Alec Frederick Fox who retired as a Chief Inspector in 1989 and served at Harwich, Holland on Sea, Clacton, Epping, Billericay, Basildon & Grays.
He passed away on 28 July 2024.
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