News 26 February to 4 March
 Community Policing Patrols
The community policing team have been out this week tackling issues raised by members of the community. Some of this activity involves checks on the usage of vehicles in the city centre of delivery drivers, licensing checks in licensed premises and attending a range of incidents especially in the night time economy hours.
Elsewhere in the district officers have been engaging with communities in Lets Talk events to understand concerns from local residents about community safety and crime in their area, and conducting pro active patrols and arrests to identify and disrupt criminal activity,
Officers link £20,000 in stolen items to two offenders
Two persistent shoplifters have been sentenced after officers caught up with them in a car on the A12 and uncovered thousands of pounds in stolen items in the boot.
On 19 January, officers identified a vehicle with two people in it which was suspected of being involved in shoplifting offences in Boots and Next, in the Stane Park retail area, in Stanway, Colchester.
 Sex offender who groomed under-age girl jailed for 10 years
Officers worked at pace when information came in about a missing vulnerable child in Colchester last year.
Detectives from our Criminal Investigation Department unlocked the evidence in this case and ensured a dangerous predator was brought before the courts where he received a 10-year prison sentence.
In October last year a young girl’s family were concerned she was meeting a stranger and may be in imminent danger. They tracked her down to the side of the A120 and alerted us to the situation.
Sergeant Mandy Turner
The journey to becoming an officer is often filled with diverse experiences and challenges. For one dedicated Sergeant, Mandy Turner, her path into Essex Police began in the motor trade, where she honed a variety of different skills. This background gave her a unique perspective and a strong foundation for her future at Essex Police.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Monday 10 March
10am-11am – St Cedds Church Hall, Shrub End
Tuesday 11 March
10am-11am – Tiptree Library
2pm-3pm – West Mersea Library
Wednesday 12 March
2pm-3pm – Prettygate knit and natter
Friday 14 March
1pm-2:30pm – Curzon Cinema, Queen Street
Saturday 15 March
11am-12:30pm – Mercury Theatre
 Crime prevention advice
Burglars are often opportunistic thieves who prey on houses and flats. They seek out any opening that they can take advantage of, specifically doors and windows that are left open or unlocked or are easy to force. Anything of value that they might spot through a window will only spur them on. But it really doesn’t take much to deter these thieves – just smart thinking.
Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. A sure giveaway is leaving packaging from expensive items outside your front door
Burglars often look for homes with windows or doors left open or with vulnerable features that they can exploit.
Burglars are aware of the times when someone is expected to be away from their house such as during the school run or holidays
Burglars typically do not want to be seen or heard and if they feel that they would be noticed by a neighbour or passerby then they are more likely to feel exposed and may move on to find somewhere else to burgle
Burglars often choose a home because they’ve spotted a specific vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle they want to steal – and the keys are more than likely to be inside the residence.
Sheds and garages are often vulnerable as they are not that secure and contain tools which the burglar can use to assist them to gain entry to a home
It’s a fact that many burglars return to homes that they’ve previously burgled because the homeowner failed to upgrade security following the first burglary. They sometimes return to an area to try to burgle a nearby home that they spotted while committing a previous break in. Even more reason for you to ensure you keep your home as safe as houses
Be fraud smart
The gift card scam involves you purchasing gift cards and sending the codes to the fraudster as payment.
Prepaid gift cards are readily available in many stores, untraceable, and can be quickly converted to cash.
Be sceptical if someone asks for a gift card as payment, especially if they request large amounts or claim it's urgent.
 Question
I have been assaulted by my ex partner/partner, what should I do?
Answer
If you have been assaulted and want to report it to the police, even if you do not have any visible injuries, you should contact your local police force and report the incident.
If your partner or ex-partner has assaulted you, and you are 16 and over, this will be treated as a report of domestic violence; the police have a responsibility to take positive action to reports of domestic violence.
|
