News 29 January to 4 February
 Benfleet: Raising awareness of antisocial behaviour and crime to year 6 students
On Thursday 30 January, we worked together with Jotmans Hall Primary School, South Benfleet, where we delivered presentations to the year 6 classes.
This focused on developing a better understanding of antisocial behaviour and crime, and we explored and discussed the effects of this within our communities.
The presentation was well received, the children worked in groups, they interacted, engaged, and produced some fantastic points of view.
Since September 2024, we have attended 28 schools, given 46 x 75-minute presentations, and have spoken with 1,196 children.
Thank you for having us Jotmans Hall Primary School, you were all amazing
Prolific shoplifter arrested, charged and remanded to court
A prolific Basildon shoplifter has admitted breaching a countywide ban on entering BP garages to commit more thefts.
The 39-year-old appeared in court on 29 January, and admitted 61 offences – 29 counts of shop theft from BP garages in Basildon, Wickford, Orsett, Stanford Le Hope and Benfleet; one from B&Q in Harlow; one from Sports Direct in Braintree Village, Braintree; and one from John Lewis & Partners in Chelmsford.
And he admitted breaching a court order forbidding him from entering any BP service station in Essex, 29 times. Altogether, his thefts totalled around £4,000
 Addressing vehicle related ASB across Castle Point
We continue to receive reports of nuisance vehicles across Castle Point, in particular at Waterside Farm, The Golf Course and Roscommon Way on Canvey. Our officers will be patrolling these locations to ensure that no anti-social behaviour is occurring and where it is, the suspects will be dealt with appropriately.
Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 gives us the power to issue a warning to the driver of a vehicle that is acting in an anti-social manner, this lasts for 12 months and if stopped anywhere in England in Wales may be subject to seizure.
Roscommon Way has a Public Spaces Protection Order issued by the council. Drivers who congregate with the intention to race, play loud music or act in an anti-social manner may be subject to a fine not exceeding £100 plus any other enforcement that officers deem necessary where offences are committed.
Drug driving - is the low worth the high?
Drug driving is at an all time 'high', with just as many drug drivers arrested as drink drivers by our officers.
If you drug drive in Essex you are more likely to be caught than ever before and you could lose your licence, your job, your home, or even your life.
One in three fatal collisions we investigated had a drugs element.
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing in Essex said;
“Drug drivers tell my officers they don’t think they’ll get caught. The reality is we’ve more than 500 officers trained to use drug wipes so you’re actually more likely to get caught than ever before.
“Drug drivers also tell us that taking drugs is part of their lifestyle, part of their daily routine. What they don’t realise is that drugs stick around in your system.
“Even if you don’t look or feel stoned you could still be over the drug driving limit, and if you’re stopped and drug wiped you’ll be arrested.
“Drugs are illegal so you shouldn’t be taking them anyway, but if you are going to please don’t get behind the wheel.”
If you have any information on drivers using drugs or consuming excess alcohol, please let us know by visiting our website or reporting 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers UK.
Police forces across the country are urging the owners of specific brands of blank-firing guns to hand them in at station front counters across a month-long national amnesty.
Essex Police is taking part in the amnesty, running from 3rd – 28th February, which applies only to Turkish manufactured top-venting blank firearms (TVBF).
Anyone found in possession of a certain brands of TVBF after the amnesty could be subject to prosecution and face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The amnesty relates to four specific brands of TVBF: Blow, Ceonic, Ekol and Retay.
TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a license, but crucially only if they are not readily convertible.
After testing these four specific models, partners in the National Crime Agency have found they are readily convertible into viable firearms.
During the amnesty period, those handing in a TVBF will not face prosecution and will not have to give their details.
Remembering the millions of lives lost on Holocaust remembrance day
This week, we honoured the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust and the incredible resilience of those who survived at remembrance ceremonies across the county.
At Essex Police, we remain committed to ensuring such atrocities are never forgotten by standing against all forms of hatred and discrimination.
Together, we will continue to work for a safer, more inclusive community for all.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 6 February 11am to 12pm
Canvey Town Council, 11/13 High Street, Canvey Island
Thursday 6 February 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Somnes Avenue, Canvey Island
Friday 7 February 4pm to 5pm
Morrisons, Northwick Road, Canvey Island
Saturday 8 February 5pm to 6pm
Benfleet Rail Station (ticket side), Ferry Road, Benfleet
 Shopping for a used motor vehicle?
If you are looking for a used car, be careful when looking at 'gleaming examples' for sale.
The vast majority of major dealerships are fine, however buying from the roadside is fraught with risk.
Always;
- Check the documents match the VIN number
- Ensure the VIN isn't a label
- Conduct a HPI check
- Go for a lengthy test drive
- Have it checked over by a qualified mechanic or arrange an AA / RAC check
Do not be pressured into a sale, or leave a deposit if you are unsure. Walk away, think about it and return if necessary.
It could be a clone, nowadays its getting a lot harder to spot them.
Remember if you buy a stolen vehicle then it remains the property of the previous owner or their insurance company. You will not get your money back, so it pays to do your homework!
Be fraud smart
Is your identity safe? Identity (or ID) theft is on the rise and we urge everyone to be careful when disposing of letters or correspondence that may contain personal information.
Identity fraud can be described as the use of that stolen identity in criminal activity to obtain goods or services by deception.
- Fraudsters can use your identity details to:
- Open bank accounts.
- Obtain credit cards, loans and state benefits.
- Order goods in your name.
- Take over your existing accounts.
- Take out mobile phone contracts.
- Obtain genuine documents such as passports and driving licences in your name.
Stealing an individual’s identity details does not, on its own, constitute identity fraud. But using that identity for any of the above activities does.
The first you know of it may be when you receive bills or invoices for things you haven’t ordered, or when you receive letters from debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours.
Once you realise that identity fraud has occurred you should sign up to a credit referencing agency, check and report any activity that you do not recognise.
Always report to Action Fraud - www.actionfraud.police.uk
 Can you tell me about installing CCTV at my house and what to do if a neighbour has got CCTV installed and one of the cameras points at my property?
Many people install CCTV at their properties as a home security measure as it's an effective tool in fighting crime. Where CCTV is in operation and it only captures your home and garden then it will not be covered by the Data Protection legislation. However, if it captures any images outside the confines of your household, such as the street or other houses, the images will be subject to the Data Protection legislation and you will be required to register as a 'data controller' with the Information Commissioners Office.
Steps should be taken to ensure the CCTV is positioned correctly to avoid complaints or in some cases, accusations of violation of privacy or harassment. You may wish to put up a sign on your property informing people that CCTV is in use, although this is not mandatory unless your system records images beyond your own boundary.
In the first instance, it would be advisable to speak to your neighbour to see if it is possible to move the camera so that it does not point at your property. If this is not possible and you want to take further action you would need to seek legal advice from a solicitor.
Useful links;
CCTV | Neighbourhood Watch Network
Complaining about your neighbour - Citizens Advice
Home CCTV systems | ICO
Guidance on the use of domestic CCTV - GOV.UK
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