News 18 December to 24 December
 A Christmas message from Chief Inspector Hogben
As another year comes to an end, I feel it is a good opportunity to reflect on some of the great work your local Police have been doing over the last 12 months.
It’s important to highlight that across Castle Point and Rochford crime has fallen by 7.5% this year. That is 745 less victims of crime! One of the big crime trends that has hit us over the last year is theft of motor vehicles. I know the impact that this can have on victims, personally, professionally and financially. That is why our Community Policing Team have focussed so heavily on identifying those responsible for this type of offending and bringing them to justice. We have executed dozens of warrants, recovered millions of pounds in stolen vehicles and parts and charged and remanded a large number of offenders with hundreds of offences. This work is starting to show that our district is not an easy target and we have seen offending reduce by 38% in the last three months, compared to the same time last year.
Our Community Policing Team also re-launched Operation Greenspace in the Summer to ensure visible presence in our popular open spaces. This operation has seen ASB fall by 41% in the last two years, across the summer months. This was also supported by Operation Shark, which saw officers and Active Citizens attend primary schools across the district, to educate year 6 pupils on what ASB is and the impact it can have on communities. The team have also run a number of operations to target anti-social vehicles across the district, with specific focus on Waterside Park, Ross Common Way and Cherry Orchard Way. This work has led to several vehicles being seized, and people reported for traffic offences.
With the help of our communities, and thanks to the intelligence you provide, we have also been able to dismantle a number of illicit drugs lines operating within the district, ensuring those responsible spend significant custodial sentences. These gangs cause huge harm within the community, whether from the direct harm caused by drug addiction, the acquisitive crime carried out to support habits or through the violence they use against other gangs or to enforce debts. Dealing with these gangs remains a priority for us, and we can’t do it without your help, so thank you.
Our Local Police Team, who are responsible for responding to emergency calls have also been busy keeping you safe. They are on duty 24/7, 365 days a year running out of Rayleigh and Canvey Police Stations. In fact as this message goes out, lots of them will be either at work, giving up their own precious family time, to keep you safe on Christmas day, or preparing to come to work. These officers respond to everything from shoplifting to Murder and everything in between, often putting their own safety on the line to protect others. We have seen too many of them injured or assaulted during the course of their duty this year, and I would like to personally take this opportunity to thanks all of my officers for their continued sacrifice and professionalism.
I would also like to thank our Special Constables and Volunteers in Policing for all they have done to contribute towards keeping the district safe over the last year. It is one thing to get involved in policing as a career, but it is something else entirely to do it for free, while managing a busy day job and family life!
Finally, I would like to wish everyone that lives and works in Castle Point and Rochford a very Merry Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year.
Chief Inspector Paul Hogben
Benfleet: Tributes paid to victim of fatal road traffic collision
The family of a woman who died following a collision in Benfleet have paid tribute to her, saying they miss her “cheeky humour” and above all, her “kindness”.
We were called by colleagues in the ambulance service to London Road, Benfleet, at around 11.30pm on Saturday 7 December following reports of a serious collision.
Enquiries at the scene established a woman had recently disembarked from a coach at a bus stop around 50 metres east of the Kents Hill Road junction, and before Thundersley Park Road junction.
After the coach left the area, the woman proceeded to cross the road when the collision occurred.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the woman died at the scene.
Canvey man arrested for theft of motor vehicle
Thanks to the quick work of officers, a man has appeared in court the day following arrest in connection with a stolen vehicle.
Following information received about a stolen vehicle on the move, the local Community Policing Team located the Renault van on the A13, where failed to stop for officers.
A 42-year-old man appeared at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court on Monday 16 December to face multiple charges.
He was remanded into custody to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 8 January.
Canvey: Three men arrested, charged and remanded for class A drugs supply
Officers have secured charges against three people as part of a far-reaching investigation into the supply of drugs across the Castle Point district.
These charges arose out of the ongoing work of Operation Falcon, which has seen a dedicated team targeting the organised crime groups and drug dealers fuelling wider violence across the district.
This investigation focussed on the coordinated supply of cocaine.
As a result of ongoing work, four coordinated warrants were executed across the district on the morning of Wednesday 18 December.
Multiple arrests were made and wraps of suspected cocaine were seized.
A four-figure sum of cash was also uncovered.
Burglar charged with six counts and remanded into custody
A man has appeared in court charged with six counts of burglary.
The 33-year-old from Basildon was arrested on Friday 13 December and remanded into police custody to appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court on Monday 16 December.
He appeared in court charged with six counts of burglary relating to incidents said to have occurred across the county - in Billericay, Chigwell, Brentwood and Benfleet.
All offences occurred between 2 and 13 December.
He has been remanded into custody and will now appear at Basildon Combined (Crown and County) Court on Monday 13 January 2025.
Canvey: Poisoned food left in public park
We continue to urge caution if you are walking your dog in Kismet park, Canvey. We continue to receive reports of suspected poisoned foodstuffs left in the undergrowth and close to bushes. We have also received a report of items being left close to the children's play area.
If you see these items please do not touch, pick up or handle them, Castle Point Borough Council contractors are attending and collecting them daily.
The council are working closely with the RSPCA (England & Wales) to address the situation, however if you have any information in relation to this activity, please collect us by visiting our website, https://www.essex.police.uk/ro/report and quoting 42/161732/24.
Alternatively you can report 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers
Canvey: Drink driver arrested and charged
Our officers arrested a drink driver on 22 December on Canvey, after we were alerted by a concerned member of the public regarding their driving.
The driver, aged 36, from the town, was spotted by officers in the early hours. He was stopped and was subjected to a roadside breath test which he failed.
In custody he provided an evidential sample which showed he was in excess of the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He was charged and will be attending court in January.
This is the 9th driver arrested across Castle Point for drink or drug driving related offences this December.
Our Christmas drink and drug driving campaign continues, with our officers actively focusing their patrols on major routes and minor roads.
If you spot driving that suggests the driver may be intoxicated, please call us on 999 where appropriate.
Benfleet: Appeal for information following spate of burglaries
We are investigating four burglary offences that have occurred over the past week in Benfleet;
In Roseberry Avenue a business was broken into on 16 December by two suspects. Cash and products were stolen, this occurred at 0146 in the morning, investigation reference 42/188419/24
On 20 December in Hill Road, a person tried to gain access into a property but they were disturbed by the occupant. They ran off and left in a waiting vehicle. This occurred around 0410 in the morning. Reference 42/190217/24.
In Woodside Avenue on 21 December a vehicle was stolen, a red Audi Convertible registration number LH12AET, after persons unknown entered the property and stole keys. This occurred around 0447 in the morning. Reference 42/190835/24.
On the same date, 21 December, entry was gained into a property in Elmhurst Avenue, the suspect was disturbed and ran off an left in a waiting vehicle. Personal items and car keys were stolen. This occurred around 0520 in the morning, Reference 42/190750/24 .
If you were in the areas at the time or have any information that could assist us with our investigations, please contact us on 101 or report online.
Thank you for subscribing to 'Dispatch - Castle Point', we hope that you find it informative and interesting.
Please note that there will be no Dispatch edition on January 1st, our next issue will be sent to you midday on January 8th.
Have a great Christmas and a wonderful New year!
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Tuesday 7 January 10am to 11am
Great Tarpots Library, London Road, Benfleet
Wednesday 8 January 12pm to 1pm
Morrisons Northwick Road, Canvey Island
Friday 10 January 4pm to 5pm
Knightswick Centre, Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island
 Checklist for securing your home when you leave it
It’s vital to leave your home secure whenever you leave it. Getting into an ‘exit routine’ can help ensure that you don’t forget obvious, important things, like not leaving your valuables near windows, or no lights on if it will be dark before you get home. Here’s what you should do just before you go out.
Become a creature of habit
Try to get into the habit of following your own course of action when you lock up your home. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything.
Here’s what we recommend you do before you go out:
- close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes
- double-lock any door
- make sure that any valuables are out of sight
- keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening
- never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways
- in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on
- if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night
- set your burglar alarm
- make sure the side gate is locked
- lock your shed or garage
- lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor
Going away?
Here are five tips to help you keep your home and belongings stay safe while you’re away:
1. if you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren’t public and that they’re only seen by your friends
2. leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied
3. get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or resident Watch Scheme
4. consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive
5. remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries
Be fraud smart
A WhatsApp scam is currently being used by fraudsters which offers a chance to win a free gift from Cadbury.
The fraudster asks you to provide your name and phone number then to share a link with your WhatsApp friends. It encourages you to share with more people by using a percentage image that looks like its going up slowly.
The scam works by asking you a few questions about Cadbury then offering you a number of boxes under which are ‘hidden gifts’. The fake website uses the Cadbury logo and Christmas branding which makes it look real.
If you receive this message, please delete it and tell the person who shared it with you to do the same and to stop sending the message out.
Always check that a url doesn’t have any odd numbers or words at the start, if in doubt do not click on it and do a search for it instead.
 I have been the victim of road rage what will the police do?
There isn't a specific offence of road rage, it's a term that's been used to describe various incidents involving motor vehicles, their drivers and other road users. Road rage has been used to describe anything from verbal abuse and threats to the damage being caused to vehicles and physical violence towards other drivers.
Usually, road rage incidents are triggered by an incident that then results in a disagreement between drivers. Rule 147 of the Highway Code states:
Be considerate. Be careful of and considerate towards all types of road users, especially those requiring extra care.
- you must not throw anything out of a vehicle, for example, cigarette ends, cans, paper or carrier bags. This can endanger other road users, particularly motorcyclists and cyclists
- try to be understanding if other road users cause problems; they may be inexperienced or not know the area well
- be patient; remember that anyone can make a mistake
- not allow yourself to become agitated or involved if someone is behaving badly on the road. This will only make the situation worse. Pull over, calm down and, when you feel relaxed, continue your journey
- Slow down and hold back if a road user pulls out into your path at a junction. Allow them to get clear. Do not over-react by driving too close behind to intimidate them.
Shouted/swearing/abusive gestures
If someone has shouted, sworn or made abusive gestures to you then this could constitute a crime but it is very unlikely that a prosecution would take place because there will usually be a lack of evidence e.g. from independent witnesses. Nonetheless, if someone has made a genuine threat against you (this could be considered an assault) or if they have used abuse that you feel was targeted at you because of your race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender, you should report the matter to your local police.
Assault
If you have been pushed, punched, kicked or received a genuine threat of violence, we would suggest you report the matter to the local police. If the incident is ongoing and you are in fear for your safety call 999.
Damage to your vehicle/property
If your vehicle has been deliberately damaged then this may constitute the offence of criminal damage. You should report such incidents to your local police.
Driving offences
A driver involved in a road rage incident may also be guilty of a motoring offence such as careless driving, driving without reasonable consideration for other road users or dangerous driving.
General information
Please be aware that in all cases it will depend on the circumstances and available evidence as to what the police can do. In some cases, the reality may be that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute someone.
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