News 28 October to 3 November
 Port inspections and patrols as officers arrest six across Essex
More than 2,300 hours of patrols, operations and traffic stops were carried out by our officers this Halloween.
This work includes our rural Engagement Team’s ongoing work to tackle plant and agricultural machinery theft at our ports. Working alongside the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, our officers carried out dozens of checks on lorries at the port of Harwich last Thursday.
Our Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet and Assistant Chief Constable Andy Mariner attended the operation and found several lorries moving commercial and private vehicles, with all of the cargo recorded and transported legally.
Arrests were made across the county, with officers from the Operational Support Group arresting one driver in the Braintree district on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
Man charged with shoplifting offences
Clint Wallace, 46, of Groveway, Dagenham, was arrested on Saturday 26 October in connection with thefts from shops in Brentwood and Witham between 8 September and 26 October.
He has since been charged with eight counts of theft from a shop and one count of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 28 October and is next due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 4 November.
 Waltham Abbey: Efit released after assault
Officers investigating an assault in Waltham Abbey are now in a position to release an e-fit of someone they want to speak to.
It was reported a man in his 70s was assaulted in Windmill Close at around 2.45pm on 24 August.
The victim was struck to the head while walking his dog following an altercation with another dog walker.
If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
Please quote the crime reference number 42/129742/24.
Hare coursers are not welcome in Essex
Hare coursers are not welcome in Essex and our rural engagement officers work with farmers, gamekeepers and estate staff to help protect their property and prosecute offenders.
They provide advice on how to prevent hare coursers from getting on to farmland and they encourage the reporting of hare coursers and hare coursing activity to police.
 Gang behind £1m BT Openreach cable thefts jailed
A gang responsible for stealing almost £1m worth of BT Openreach network cable have been jailed for combined total of 14 years after officers from our serious and organised crime unit were able to identify them and bring them to justice.
Billy Lee Junior, Levi Lee, Samuel Sheady-Jones and Ashley Byford targeted cable and plant material in rural locations across Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and in Wrexham.
The group would travel in 4x4 vehicles which displayed false registration plates, access manhole covers containing cable, cut it and winch it to the vehicle.
The cabling, which ran for several miles underground would be dragged out using the vehicle.
As a result, thousands of customers lost service, including homes and businesses.
 Dispatch survey - win a multi-function emergency radio
Our summer campaign to promote Dispatch is over and we're very pleased to welcome thousands more subscribers. It's time to ask you all for your feedback so we can be sure Dispatch includes the information and updates you want. This 5 question survey will only take a minute to complete and this time, everyone who completes the survey will enter a free competition to win an emergency radio with a built-in torch.
As part of the Government's recommendations for being prepared in the event of an emergency event (severe weather, unexpected power failure etc), it's recommended to have a plan in place for your household. Part of this is a grab-bag containing a few useful items (first-aid kit, torch, radio, USB power bank, food and water). You can find out more at www.gov.uk/prepare.
We're giving away a multi-function portable emergency radio away to one lucky person who complete our quick survey. We'll draw the name at random on Friday 15 November.
The radio is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery which doubles as a USB power bank to charge a mobile phone. It can be charged with a wind-up handle and has a solar panel too. It also takes 3 AA sized batteries and there's a reading light and a torch built-in as well.
Nine arrests for drink and drug driving as part of road safety patrols
On Friday 25 October, our Road Crime Team led colleagues from teams across the force to focus on road safety issues, with a particular focus on drink and drug drivers.
Supported by Roads Policing Unit officers, Operational Support Group and Dogs section, our officers made a total of 10 arrests; six drug driving and three drink driving arrests.
 Group sentenced after coroner kidnap plot
Mark Kishon Christopher led Sean Harper, Shiza Harper, and Matthew Dean Martin as they entered Chelmsford Coroner's Court in April 2023 and made threats to "shut it down".
The leader of group of people who were found guilty of attempting to kidnap the Essex Coroner has been sentenced to seven years in jail thanks to the work of fast-acting officers.
Mark Kishon Christopher led Sean Harper, Shiza Harper, and Matthew Dean Martin, each of whom were sentenced to a total of 30 months in custody at Chelmsford Crown Court today, Monday 28 October.
The group were previously convicted of multiple offences including conspiracy to commit kidnap.
 3,089 uninsured vehicles seized in first nine months of 2024
In the first nine months of this year, with the help of colleagues from teams across the force, they have helped seize 3089 uninsured cars, vans and motorcycles.
In September, that number peaked at a staggering 406 vehicles being seized, the highest month on record.
 Have your say on future funding for Essex Police and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
Driving crime down, preventing more fires and saving lives.
The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex is asking people for their policing and community safety views to identify public appetite in maintaining the current strength and ability of Essex Police and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service to keep communities safe.
To hear those views, all residents, businesses and people who work in any Essex district are asked to complete the PFCC Precept survey for the financial year 2025/26.
You can complete the survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AVQK66/
This is your chance to have your say, your views will feed into the Essex Police and Essex County Fire & Rescue funding process for the financial year 2025/26.
The survey started on Friday 25th October 2024 and will run for four weeks until Friday 22nd November 2024.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 4 November
10am to 11am
Lakelands Community Centre , 2 Western Approach , Colchester
10am to 11am
Morrison's Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
3:30pm to 5pm
Naze Marine Caravan Park, The Poplars, Walton on Naze.
Tuesday 5 November
10am to 11am
Great Tarpots Library, 127 London Road, South Benfleet, Benfleet
10am to 11am
M&S Food, Unit 1, Brook Park West, T Grove, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 11am
Jaywick Community & Resource Centre, Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick.
3pm to 4:30pm
Witham Town Hall, Heritage Suite, Witham
3:30pm to 5pm
Walk & Talk through Connaught Avenue to Greensward, Frinton on Sea.
Wednesday 6 November
10am to 11am
Wimpole Road Church, 49 Wimpole Road.
10am to 11am
Ford Barns, Crown Lane, Clacton.
10am to 11am
Costa Coffee 76/78 High Street, Billericay CM12 9BT
10am to 11am
Baby & Toddler Group, Holland Library, Public Hall, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea.
Thursday 7 November
10am to 12pm
Joining CVST Winter warmer event, Walton Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on Naze.
10:30am to 11:30am
Community 360 , Long Wyre Street , Colchester
11am to 12pm
Canvey Town Council - 11/13 High Street, Canvey Island
11am to 12pm
Wood Cottage Tea Room, Felstead, Dunmow
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Tiptree Jam Factory Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester
4pm to 5pm
Orleto Lounge, 2 East Square, Basildon SS14 1HS
6pm to 7pm
East of England Co-op, Samson's Road, Brightlingsea.
Friday 8 November
10am to 12pm
Homelands Free Church, Garden Road, Walton on Naze.
10am to 11am
Costa Coffee, 50 Pier Avenue, Clacton on Sea.
11am to 12pm
Old School Community Cafe, Takeley
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee, Highbridge Retail Park, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1BY
11am to 12pm
Outside Marks& Spencer 62 High Street, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
The Snug Cafe, High Easter
11:30am to 12:30pm
Bobbing Close & St Marks Field, Rochford SS4 1RY
12pm to 12:30pm
Old School Community Cafe, Dunmow Road, Takeley
1pm to 2pm
Tea on The Heath, Pond Lane, Hatfield Heath
Saturday 9 November
9am to 12pm
Broomfield Hospital Atrium, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
9am to 11am
Gunpowder Park Run, Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey
9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
10am to 11am
Priors Hall Farm, Lindsell
11am to 1pm
John Lewis & Partners, 50 Bond Street, Chelmsford CM1 1GD
11am to 12pm
Co-op, White Street, Great Dunmow
11am to 1pm
Unit 17, The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham
12pm to 1pm
Home Bargains Airport Retail Park, Rochford Road, Rochford, SS2 6FW
2pm to 3pm
Hilton Crescent, Hullbridge SS5 6FF
4pm to 5pm
Knightswick Centre, Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Be aware of rogue traders
Doorstep crime refers to rogue traders, bogus callers and distraction burglary.
Whilst we do have genuine callers come to our doors, there are also those that aim to exploit people in their homes.
This type of crime includes people that knock on your door offering fraudulent services, being overcharged for services, as well as false use of logos or ID that appear to be genuine.
Crime is falling but we need your help to cut it further. Here are some of our top tips to stay safe and not get caught out by doorstep criminals:
- Install a door chain or spy hole to communicate through your door safely.
- Be wary of leaflets that are posted through your door, don’t be afraid to ask for references or doing some research.
- Don’t agree to have work done or part with money on your doorstep.
- Ask around for recommendations or check trusted websites for local tradesmen.
Report rogue traders to the us via our online live chat or via 101. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999.
Be fraud smart
Instagram and TikTok job adverts offering work from home and remote opportunities are not always what they seem.
Always do your research into a company, especially if you have not heard about them before.
Make sure it is a real opportunity before providing them with any information.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Senior Digital Forensic Technician £30,870
Senior Digital Forensic Specialist £45,546
Intelligence Researcher £27,789
Fingerprint Examiner £26,106
Commercial Services Category Specialist £48,339
Business Services Assistant £24,219
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 Meet PC Luke Watson
PC Luke Watson, previously crowned “Britain’s quickest cop”, has recently won the Making A Difference award at the Essex Police Force Awards as well as Police Officer of the Year at the National Black Police Association Conference. After receiving well-deserved recognition – where's he running to next?
“I have been in the police for nearly 8 years now. Before joining, I was a Sports Therapist, working with various athletes and sports teams with injuries and rehabilitation.
"So, I have always felt passionate about helping people. I was inspired to join the police as it presented a new challenge from anything that I had ever done or considered before. I liked the idea of helping people as well as catching criminals and I thought that I had to give it a go!”
 This week we remember
William Campling
William Campling was the High Constable of Saffron Walden Borough in 1849 - the equivalent today of the Chief Constable. In the early days of policing in Essex, there was no one single county force. Instead, there were four smaller borough forces of which the Saffron Walden Borough force was one. It was a very small body of officers amounting to a handful of regular and part-time employees.
William was shot 40 to 60 times outside his home in Bridge Street Saffron Walden on 31 October 1849. He died of shock 9 day later on 9 November 1849. The case remains unsolved.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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