News 2 April to 8 April
 Family ordered to pay back more than £50,000 in illegal drug-driven income
Two brothers and their mum have been ordered to pay back more than £50,000 after our financial investigators were able to prove how much they benefitted by selling illicit drugs.
Bradley and Brendan Vidovic as well as Paula Vidovic were convicted of drug supply offences after a complex investigation was able to prove that they had been supplying large quantities of drugs across Colchester and surrounding areas.
Each of the trio were sentenced for drug offences in 2022, with Brendan and Bradley, both now 25, sentenced to 30 months in prison, whilst Paula, now 60, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for nine months alongside a daily curfew.
Despite their convictions and sentences, we continued to dive into their finances so we could show the extent of their illegal income and claw it back to benefit our neighbourhoods. Click Read more to read about the details.
Man arrested following Dedham assault
A man has been arrested in connection with an incident where a man was struck over the head in Dedham.
It happened in the High Street between 6.20pm and 7pm on Wednesday 2 April.
The victim, who’s in 30s, was taken to hospital with an injury to his head.
A 50 year-old man has been arrested as part of the investigation and has since been released on bail until 23 May while our enquiries continue.
Women thank Essex Police after man who shared deep fake images is jailed
"Essex Police’s kindness and patience really helped me through this difficult time. "The officer was so understanding and non-judgemental. He made me realise I had done nothing wrong."
Those are the words of one victim after an Essex man who created deep fake nude images of 13 women and shared them without their knowledge or consent was jailed for five years when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing.
As well as editing and sharing the digitally manipulated images, 26-year-old Brandon Tyler posted intimate images of two further women - again without their permission.
In total, 20 women in the county were horrified to discover images and posts with abhorrent and derogatory language had been uploaded online.
And three of the women spoke out about the impact these crimes have had on them in their personal and professional lives and thanked our officers for their support and understanding.
Unexpected overtime when driver runs red light
Over the weekend, officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team were heading back to the station, ready to wrap up their shift after a busy night policing the night-time economy. Just as they were about to call it a night, a vehicle decided to run a red light right in front of them.
Naturally, our officers sprang into action and stopped the vehicle, only to discover the driver was not only intoxicated but also disqualified from driving. After blowing nearly three times the legal limit at the roadside, the driver was promptly arrested.
A 19-year-old man from Suffolk has been charged with several driving offences, including driving while disqualified, drink driving, driving without insurance, and running a red light.
 Local policing team and Special Constabulary contribute to Colchester road safety
Over the weekend officers from Colchester LPT E Shift and the Special Constabulary utilised some time to help improve the safety on our roads. Using a coordinated approach the short deployment saw the following results.
4 Traffic Offense Reports were issued for offences of, Driving without due care and attention, Driving a vehicle without third-party insurance, Using a handheld electronic device while in control of a motor vehicle and Using a motor vehicle without a valid MOT.
The officers also seized 1 vehicle seized due to it being driven with no insurance.
They also issued a Section 59 Warning to a driver who was seen driving in a particularly anti social manner.
Where it was deemed enforcement was not needed the team gave educational advice around road safety to four other drivers.
The officers also attended four reports of possible drink drivers, fortunately the vehicles were found and the drivers were not intoxicated. In addition to this they also attended two separate calls about drivers using their vehicles and acting anti socially.
If you are interested in joining our special constabulary you can find out more information by clicking read more.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Monday 14 April 11am to 12pm
Oaktree Community Cafe, Highwoods Square
Tuesday 15 April 10am to12pm
St Stephens Church, Canterbury Road
Thursday 17 April 1pm to 2pm
Harpers Cafe, Boxted
Tuesday 22 April 11am to 12pm
Waitrose, St Andrews Gardens
Thursday 24 April 10:30am to 11:30am
Zest Cafe, Square 3, University of Essex
Thursday 24 April 5pm-6pm
Esquires Coffee House, Chesterwell
 Crime prevention advice
Protect Your Home While on Vacation
Going on vacation is exciting, but it's important to ensure your home is secure while you're away. Here are some tips to help protect your home:
First, make your home look occupied. Use timers on indoor and outdoor lights to turn on and off at different times, giving the impression that someone is home. If possible, leave a car parked in your driveway to deter burglars who might be looking for signs of an empty house.
Inform trusted neighbours about your plans. Let a trusted neighbour know you'll be away so they can keep an eye on your property and report any suspicious activity. Ask them to collect your mail and packages, as a pile of mail can signal to burglars that no one is home.
Secure doors and windows by double-checking all locks before you leave. Consider installing deadbolts for added security. Use alarm systems and security cameras to monitor your home, and doorbell cameras can help you see who is at your door.
Avoid social media announcements about your vacation plans or location in real-time, as this can alert potential burglars that your home is empty. Ensure your social media privacy settings are set to limit who can see your posts.
Lastly, use smart home technology. Invest in smart locks and cameras that you can control remotely, allowing you to monitor your home from anywhere. Use smart plugs to automate lights and appliances, making it look like someone is home.
By taking these precautions, you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, knowing your home is secure. Have a great trip!
Be fraud smart
Preventing Romance Fraud
Romance fraud, also known as romance scams, involves criminals posing as potential romantic partners to exploit victims emotionally and financially. Here are some key tips to protect yourself from falling victim to romance fraud:
First, be cautious with online relationships. Verify identities through video calls and social media checks, and be skeptical of anyone who quickly professes love or asks for personal information. Avoid moving conversations off dating apps or social media platforms too quickly, as scammers often try to isolate you from the platform's security measures.
Recognize red flags such as requests for money, whether for travel, medical emergencies, or other urgent needs. Genuine partners will not ask for financial assistance early in a relationship. Pay attention to inconsistencies in their stories, as scammers often fabricate elaborate tales to gain sympathy and trust.
Protect your personal information by limiting what you share. Do not disclose sensitive information such as your address, financial details, or personal identification numbers. Stick to secure communication channels provided by dating platforms and avoid sharing personal contact details until you are confident in the person's authenticity.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, listen to your gut. If you feel pressured or uncomfortable, take a step back and reassess the situation. Talk to friends or family about your new relationship, as they can offer valuable perspectives and may notice red flags that you missed.
Finally, report suspicious activity. If you suspect you are being targeted by a scammer, report them to the dating platform and relevant authorities. This can help prevent others from falling victim. If you have been scammed, seek support from organizations that specialize in fraud recovery and counseling.
By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can protect yourself from romance fraud and build genuine, safe relationships online. Stay safe and trust your instincts!
 Question
What is a Public Spaces Protection Order?
Answer
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) propose to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can prohibit certain things or require specific things to be done.
An example of when a PSPO may be issued could be to help keep dogs under control within a public place such as a park. It may require that the dog is kept on a lead at all times and/or the dog is only allowed in certain areas. Alternatively, it may prohibit the consumption of alcohol in a specific place.
When deciding whether an order should be issued, the local authority must consider two things:
Firstly, whether the behaviour is having a detrimental effect, or is likely to have this effect. Secondly, whether the effect/likely effect of the activities is of a persistent nature making the behaviour unreasonable and rendering restrictions imposed by the notice as justified.
It can be made to apply to all people, or limited only to certain people and can be restricted to specific times. A PSPO can last no longer than 3 years but can be renewed if necessary. Failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or a fixed penalty notice.
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