News 3 March to 9 March
Local officers are actively patrolling Thurrock to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, making sure residents and road users remain safe.
Recent operations have led to arrests for assaults and drug possession. Officers conducted stop searches and vehicle searches. Efforts to reduce car cruising events have been successful, with a significant decrease in such activities over the past year.
We continue to work with Thurrock Council to enforce the public spaces protection order and address dangerous driving.
A father and his two daughters have been charged with supplying Class A drugs in Clacton. The investigation, which began in November 2024, led to their arrest on 6 March 2025. They are accused of conspiring to supply heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine.
A 38-year-old man has been charged with kidnap after a teenager was reportedly forced into a vehicle in Purfleet.
We were called to reports of dangerous driving and an assault in Vineyard Way in Purfleet at about 7.35pm on Friday 7 March.
A driver reportedly left their vehicle and assaulted the victim before forcing them into the vehicle and leaving the scene.
Officers quickly located the teenage boy, who had been left close to Purfleet train station, and located the suspect’s vehicle in Botany Terrace within 30 minutes of the initial call to police where he was arrested.
Now, a 38-year-old man from Purfleet, has been charged with kidnap, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and common assault.
The teenager was taken to hospital for further treatment by paramedics.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan encourages women in policing to challenge the status quo and aim for leadership roles.
She highlights the importance of mentorship and the diverse opportunities within the force.
Thirteen people have been arrested and more than 1,200 cannabis plants have been seized and destroyed following 12 warrants across the county.
Officers entered properties in Brentwood, Chelmsford, Chigwell, Canvey Island, Harwich, Grays, Great Wakering, Shoebury, Southend and Westcliff in a coordinated series of strikes throughout February.
A number of the properties being used were rented houses that had been converted to into cannabis grows, causing extensive damage.
The 1,249 plants seized were worth an estimated £546,000. All have been taken to a secure location and destroyed.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cadd of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said:
“The trade in illegal drugs is inextricably linked to violence, exploitation and other forms of criminality.
“This is not people growing a few plants for their own use. These are substantial grows tended by professionals with the sole aim of making money for organised crime gangs.”
Our detectives have solved a £1.3 million car theft conspiracy involving 70 stolen vehicles.
Dozens of victims were impacted by a series of car thefts carried out across the South East of England last year.
The thieves used a sophisticated keyless relay system to steal cars from driveways.
Jack Reid, 22, was convicted and jailed for three years and nine months.
Connor Jones, 26 was convicted and sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment.
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to more than nine years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent after he drove a car at his victims in a McDonald’s car park.
Two men were struck with the Mini Cooper Glenn Hobbs was driving before he fled the scene in Drovers Way on 18 December 2023.
Officers arrived within three minutes of the attack and quickly gathered a description of Hobbs and his car and carried out a wide search of the surrounding area.
Following an extensive search over the following two hours the car was located and Hobbs was arrested. He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and actual bodily harm, remanded in custody and on 9 December 2024 at Chelmsford Crown Court, he pleaded guilty.
He was sentenced to a total of nine years and two months in prison at the same court on 14 February 2025.
“Such blatant ignorance of the dangers of drink driving proves the continuing challenge we have in keeping the roads of Essex safe.”
That’s from the head of our Roads Policing Unit after a man was caught by officers drinking a pint of lager while behind the wheel of his car.
He was banned from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay £256 in fines and court costs.
A man convicted of murdering his ex-partner in Chelmsford has been jailed for life.
Mark Donovan, 39, inflicted 70 separate injuries on 37-year-old Elise Mason in a sustained attack at his address in Great Baddow, on 25 April 2023.
Our investigation began after Donovan walked into Ilford police station, in east London, the following day eating a takeaway Chinese meal, before telling Metropolitan Police officers he had done “the worst thing”.
 Stephen Pearson
Colchester: Sex offender jailed
A 42-year-old man has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences involving a young girl.
In October last year a young girl’s family were concerned she was meeting a stranger she'd met on online video game Roblox and may be in danger. They tracked her down to the side of the A120 and contacted police.
Steven Pearson, 42, of Somerfield Road, Finsbury Park, London, was arrested on suspicion of sexual grooming and breaking bail conditions related to child sex offences. When officers looked at his mobile phone they found messages on social media apps which caused them concern.
Pearson was left with no choice but to admit guilt. He was sentenced to seven years in jail and three on an extended licence. He is also now on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and subject to a 20-year order preventing contact with children.
A 53-year-old man has appeared at court charged with multiple offences including rape and stalking.
 Officers link £20,000 in stolen items to two offenders
Two shoplifters, Thomas McDonagh and Martin Stokes, were caught on the A12 with thousands of pounds worth of stolen items in their car. Linked to 11 incidents, including thefts from Boots and Next stores, McDonagh received a 16-month prison sentence and a five-year ban from these stores. Stokes got a suspended 16-week jail sentence and 80 hours of unpaid work. The stolen items were worth nearly £20,000.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 10 March
10am to 11am
The Council Offices, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea.
10am to 11am
Morrison's Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
11am to 12pm
McDonalds Canvey, Northwick Retail Park, Northwick Road, Canvey Island
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
11:30am to 12:30pm
Sainsburys, London Road, Southend
Tuesday 11 March
10am to 11:30am
Lister House Medical Centre, Abercrombie Way, Harlow
10:30am to 11:30am
Belle Vue Baptist Church, Belle Vue Avenue, Southend
10:30am to 11:30am
The Megacentre Rayleigh, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7UT
11am to 12pm
Orleto Lounge, 2 East Square, Basildon SS14 1HS
12pm to 2pm
Asda, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh SS6 9RN
Wednesday 12 March
10am to 11am
Costa Coffee, 76/78 High Street, Billericay CM12 9BT
10am to 12pm
Walk & Talk with local PCSO, starting at Connaught Avenue, Frinton walking towards Walton Pier.
10am to 11am
McDonalds, Hartley Brook Road, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 12pm
Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton
10am to 11am
Baby & Toddler Group, Holland Library, Public Hall, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea.
Thursday 13 March
9:30am to 11am
Touchpoint, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted
10am to 11am
Ashfields, Green Street, Great Canfield
1pm to 2pm
Takeley Park, Station Road, Takeley
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Costa Coffee, T Grove Brook Park West, Clacton on Sea.
6pm to 7pm
Hannakins Farm, Rosebay Avenue, Billericay CM12 0SY
Friday 14 March
9am to 9:30am
Rickling and Quendon Village Hall, Cambridge Road
10am to 12pm
Joining Peabody at Walton food bank, Standley Road, Walton on Naze.
10am to 10:15am
High Street, Newport
11am to 12pm
Clements Hall Leisure Centre, Hawkwell SS5 4LN
11:30am to 12pm
Debden Village Hall, Mill Road
2pm to 2:30pm
Town Street, Thaxted
3:30pm to 3:45pm
Village Hall, Great Easton
4:30pm to 5:30pm
Runnymede Leisure Centre, Kiln Road, Benfleet
Saturday 15 March
9am to 10am
Chelmsford Park Run, Central Park, Chelmsford
9am to 9:30am
Village Hall, Great Canfield
10am to 10:30am
Playground, Rumbles Way, Little Canfield
10am to 11am
Quadrant Department Store, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford
10am to 11am
The Martello Lounge, The Promenade, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 11:30am
Woody's Restaurant, Thurrock Garden Centre, South Road, South Ockendon
11:30am to 12pm
Chestnut Way, Takeley
12pm to 1pm
Secret garden tea room, 93 High Street, Rayleigh SS6 7EJ
1pm to 2pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
2pm to 2:30pm
Museum, Mill Lane, Great Dunmow
3:30pm to 4pm
Woodlands Park, Great Dunmow
4pm to 5pm
Morrisons, 175 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet
Sunday 16 March
11am to 1pm
Rayleigh High Street, Rayleigh SS6 7EJ
12pm to 1pm
The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh SS6 7ED
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Keep your home secure
Burglars are often opportunistic thieves who target houses and flats, looking for any opening they can exploit.
If your door has a letterbox, fitting a guard to the rear of the door can prevent someone from reaching in with a stick and hook to fish for nearby items like handbags or keys.
Be fraud smart
Attention businesses
With the end of the tax year approaching criminals might attempt to target businesses to commit their crimes. Stay vigilant and protect your business from potential threats.
Take a moment before paying that invoice. Criminals send fake invoices that look like ones from a genuine supplier hoping you will pay without checking the account details.
Always question changes in payment information.
 This week we remember
Frank Brace
Frank Brace served with Colchester Borough Constabulary from 20 March 1914. He joined after being discharged from the Bedfordshire Regiment but was recalled after just four months at the outbreak of war on 4 August 1914.
He served as Corporal and his battalion sailed to Harvre and then on to Le Cateau. He was mortally between 6 to 11 March 1915 and died in hospital on 13 March whilst waiting to return to England.
 Lesley Ann Beet
Lesley Beet joined the Cadet Corps in September 1973 when she was 17. Cadets led a full academic and sporting life, and on 13 March 1974 Lesley Beet was in a supervised party of cadets canoeing on the River Chelmer. Her canoe capsized and despite efforts to save her she was drowned.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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