News 11 September to 17 September
Officers will be proactively engaging with residents in high harm hotspots across the county in the next 12 days to encourage them to surrender any potentially illegal knives.
On the first morning of deployments in Southend, more than 20 knives were voluntarily handed over to officers from our Op Grip team and Operational Support Group (OSG).
Op Grip hotspot patrolling zones are areas data analysis shows have a higher probability of a serious violent incident. Knife crime in Essex has fallen by 7% since the pandemic.
There are 15 Grip zone in Essex and officers will be out encouraging people to surrender knives on the following days in September:
- Southend – 12th and 13th
- Chelmsford – 17th
- Harlow – 18th
- Braintree – 18th
- Basildon – 19th
- Colchester – 23rd
- Clacton – 23rd
- Grays – 24th
- Brentwood – 24th
Ten of our volunteer Specials have returned from France after helping to police the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
They were part of the first overseas mutual aid deployment of UK Specials, representing our force with the eyes of the world on them.
Special Constable Leon Dias, who co-ordinated the deployment of Specials from Essex and other Eastern Region forces, says it was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism, expertise and skills of our volunteer police officers on an international stage.
Our Specials are volunteers and those who went to Paris all took a week’s annual leave from their day jobs, so their deployment had no impact on day-to-day operational policing in Essex.
Policing is a demanding job and our officers make thousands of decisions every day as they strive to protect the public, prevent crime and bring criminals to justice.
Whenever people need help or a crime has been committed, our officers enter what can be volatile and emotionally-charged situations and must quickly decide the best course of action.
This is not always straightforward, which is why there are codes of ethics and practice that act as guidance.
Our officers are aware they are in in a privileged position, and with this comes great responsibility.
Regardless of circumstances, they are expected to act with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
This applies whether they are on or off duty.
We police by consent and to achieve that we are open and honest about our decisions.
Since 2016, we have invited members of the public to join Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) in each of our districts.
We value our communities and we also invite advisory groups to see our body worn videos, our stop and search records and see our custody cells, too.
The IAGs are made up of representatives from a wide range of communities across the county who come together four times a year to provide insight and constructive feedback.
They tell us about issues of concern or community tension, as well as providing critical analysis of policing policy and practice.
They help us to drive improvements, too. Our communities across the county tell us that they have high levels of confidence in the police in Essex but that’s never taken for granted.
Watch our new video to learn more about IAGs and why we’d like more people to consider joining one.
 Man wanted in connection with robberies
We want to speak to 23-year-old Tom Nevin in connection to robberies in Chelmsford and Thurrock.
At about 5.50pm on Tuesday 23 July, suspects robbed the Mappin and Webb jewellery store, taking an estimated £40,000 worth of watches and threatened staff before leaving Lakeside Shopping Centre.
Then, at about 5pm on Thursday 25 July, suspects armed with a knife have robbed Goldsmiths in Bond Street, Chelmsford, taking a Rolex watch.
We also believe he may be connected to robberies in Northampton and Chichester.
Nevin is about 6ft tall, of broad build, with short brown hair.
A 17-year old has been also charged in connection with these robberies. He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 14 September and has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at the same court on Friday 20 September.
If you see Nevin or have any information regarding his whereabouts, contact us quoting incident number 991 of Tuesday 23 July.
You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
It can be found at the bottom right of our homepage at www.essex.police.uk.
Visit http://esxpol.uk/OEVB6 to find out more about our website reporting services.
Alternatively, you can call us on 101.
In an emergency always call 999.
If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
Rural Engagement Team officers patrol Hylands Park in Chelmsford
On Friday 13th September Rural Engagement Team officers were on patrol near Hylands Park in Chelmsford when they came across a dog running loose on a main road.
The dog, which is deaf was running in traffic. Our quick thinking officers managed to catch her and keep her safe in our vehicle.
Knowing Hylands Park is a popular dog walking site, the officers drove to the park and walked around until the located the very relieved owner.
Always make sure your dog is microchipped and registered to the correct owner and address so we can return your beloved pet should they get lost.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Saturday 21 September 10.30am to 11.30am Chelmsford Library, Chelmsford County Hall, Market Rd, Chelmsford CM1 1QH
Saturday 28 September 9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
Saturday 28 September 12pm to 1.30pm Cafe on the Water & Gift Shop, Giffords Ln, Downham, Chelmsford CM3 8HX
Friday 4 October 11am to 12pm Outside 62 Marks & Spencer High St, Chelmsford CM1 1DH
Wednesday 9 October 9am to 12pm Broomfield Hospital Atrium, Court Rd, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
Saturday 12 October 9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
Saturday 12 October 10am to 11am Quadrant Department Store 220 Moulsham St, Chelmsford CM2 0LS
Wednesday 30 October 10.30am to 11.30am Chelmsford Library, Chelmsford County Hall, Market Rd, Chelmsford CM1 1QH
Friday 8 November 11am to 12pm Outside 62 Marks & Spencer High St, Chelmsford CM1 1DH
 Crime prevention advice
Antisocial behaviour
Find out what antisocial behaviour (ASB) is and what you can do about it.
With online shopping on the rise, there are more delivery vehicles on our roads. Here are some tips for courier drivers and courier companies on how to prevent thefts from or of a delivery vehicle.
Courier drivers
- Make sure your vehicle’s windows are closed and doors are locked when you leave your vehicle.
- Some criminals can use devices to block the signal from a key fob, so always double check your doors. If you have a keyless van, consider investing in a signal blocker.
- Park under a streetlight if possible and avoid areas that are not well lit. Consider using a torch to light up dark areas like alleyways or dark paths.
- Make sure that no valuables are left on display when you get out of your van, no matter how long you’re out the vehicle.
- Ensure that your mobile phone (work or personal) is fully charged should you need to call someone.
If you see something suspicious such as another vehicle following you, do not get out of your van. Continue driving until it is safe to stop and call your employer or the police on 101.
Courier companies
- Consider installing a security alarm or camera to the van if it doesn’t already have one. These can act as a deterrent but also help identify if your vehicle is being targeted.
- Consider installing a tracker on the vehicle so should the worst happen, you’ll be able to see where it’s gone.
- If your vehicles have rear-view or back windows, consider darkening them to obstruct the view through them and stop people from seeing inside.
Be fraud smart
Identity fraud, or ‘ID theft’, involves the use of a person’s stolen details to commit crime. Many victims never find out exactly how someone got hold of their details, and clearing things up afterwards can be costly and stressful.
 What medical conditions must I tell the DVLA about?
ou must inform the DVLA if you develop a 'notifiable' disability/medical condition, or if an existing condition has got worse since you obtained your driving licence. The link below explains what constitutes a notifiable condition and how you can report it to the DVLA:
https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions/telling-dvla-about-a-medical-condition-or-disability
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