News 21 April to 27 April
 The Essex Millionaire Murders
An Essex Police murder investigation is the focus of a prime-time documentary on ITV tonight, Monday 28 April, at 9pm.
Essex Millionaire Murders tells the tragic story around Carol and Stephen Baxter’s deaths on 9 April 2023, at their home on Mersea Island. The investigation remains one of the most complex ever undertaken by the force.
Watch the team unravel the Baxter murder case and secure justice for Carol, Stephen and their family, in the two-part true-crime documentary series on ITV1.
- Part 1: Monday 28 April at 9pm
- Part 2: Tuesday 29 April at 9pm
Detectives are continuing an investigation into a serious collision on the A12 at Colchester.
Officers, alongside ambulance service colleagues, were called to the scene, between Junctions 27 and 29 at around 7pm on Tuesday 22 April.
It was reported a car had collided with a pedestrian.
Sadly the pedestrian, a female in her late teens, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family have been informed and are being supported as we continue our inquiries.
 Tribute to ‘loving mother’ after fatal collision
The family of a 65-year-old woman have paid tribute to their mother and grandmother after a fatal collision near High Garrett.
Following the opening of an inquest by His Majesty’s Coroner, we can provisionally name Julie Watson as the woman who passed away in a two-vehicle collision in Halstead Road on 1 April.
In a statement, Julie’s family said:
"Julie will be forever remembered as a bringer of joy, good food, and laughter.
"A loving mother of two sons and grandmother to two granddaughters, Julie leaves a massive hole in all of our lives that will never be filled.
"In recent times, she was an amateur beekeeper, while also supporting the Support After Stroke group in Sudbury, and an avid follower of British Superbikes with plans to attend every round this year.
"Having recently moved from Burnham-on-Crouch to Bradfield Combust, Suffolk, Julie and her husband Andrew had bought their forever home and had been undertaking the finishing touches to it."
 Stalking Awareness Week
Here at Essex Police, we are taking significant steps to raise awareness about the dangers and impact of stalking. Our aim is to highlight the importance of recognising the signs, knowing what to do, and understanding how we are helping to protect victims of stalking.
Incidents of stalking and harassment are down by more than 11% year-on-year in Essex. Agencies across the county are doing more than ever to bring the number down further.
This progress is only possible thanks to the partnership across a variety of sectors. Making the county a better place to live and work and a harder place to hurt others.
 Five charged with vehicle thefts
A fifth and sixth man have been charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles in the south of Essex.
Following the arrest and charging of four men in connection with the same conspiracy on Tuesday 15 April, a 41-year-old man from Westcliff was further arrested on Sunday 20 April.
Now Martin Russell, 41, of Meteor Road in Westcliff, is charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and was remanded in custody ahead of appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 22 April.
He has also been released under investigation on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug.
Additionally, 46-year-old Michael Morris, currently at HMP Chelmsford, has been charged by postal requisition with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
Essex Police have charged five individuals following operations targeting two drug lines in Southend and Basildon. The arrests were part of a broader effort by the Serious Violence Unit to combat drug-related crime in the county. Officers seized significant quantities of drugs, cash, and mobile phones during the raids. The suspects face charges including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. This action is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt drug networks and reduce violence in the region
Nesting season is under way and as the weather starts to improve, our specialist Rural Engagement Team is reminding everyone that all wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected in law.
Not only is stealing birds’ eggs a crime, the nests themselves and nesting birds are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Neighbourhood officers have uncovered a significant amount of cannabis in Witham.
We attended a suspicious incident reported to us in Perry Road early yesterday, Wednesday 23 April.
We arrived and intercepted a container which, when opened, we discovered contained a large amount of cannabis.
A man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and later released on conditional bail whilst our investigation continues.
 Victim speaks out after child sex offender jailed
A woman has bravely spoken out after she and another victim were assaulted by a child sex offender from East Bergholt, who has now been jailed for 12 years.
The two women spoke to Essex Police in 2022 to disclose the historic offences committed by 36-year-old Lloyd Prior.
Prior, of Broom Knoll in East Bergholt, was accused of multiple sexual offences against the two women, who were children at the time of the offences, between 2005 and 2013.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 28 April
10am to 11am
Henham Community Store High Street Henham
10am to 12pm
Men's walk and talk, leaving Frinton Community Centre, The Triangle Shopping Centre, Frinton-on-Sea
11am to 12pm
The Coffee Post, 50 The Street, High Ongar
5pm to 6pm
Benfleet Rail Station, Ferry Road, Benfleet
Tuesday 29 April
10:30am to 11:30am
Rochford Banking Hub, West Street, Rochford SS4 1AJ
11am to 12pm
Tesco Stores Ltd, Princes Road, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
Coffee Pot Canfield
11am to 12pm
Morrisons Supermarket, Waterglade Retail Park, Old Road, Clacton
12pm to 1pm
Co-op Lower Street Stansted
Wednesday 30 April
10am to 12pm
Natwest 132 High Street Southend on Sea
11:30am to 1pm
Outside the B&M Store, Gateway Retail Park, Unit F, Harwich.
4pm to 6pm
Rayleigh Train Station, Station Road Rayleigh Essex SS6 7HJ
Thursday 1 May
10:30am to 11:30am
Craft Nurseries, Harwich Road, Lawford
Friday 2 May
10:30am to 12pm
Great Bentley Coffee Morning, Methodist Church, Forge Lane
Saturday 3 May
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
Sunday 4 May
3pm to 5pm
Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Stalking Awareness
Stalking can be a serious issue, and it's important to recognise the signs early.
Watch out for Fixated, Obsessive Unwanted and Repetitive (F.O.U.R) behaviour.
Watch the full video on our YouTube channel to learn about the signs to look out for that might indicate someone is stalking you or someone you know.
Be fraud smart
Scam Alert
Are you being asked to pay an up-front fee for a product or service?
Before parting with your money take a moment to make sure it’s not a scam. Do your research and don’t let someone pressure you into making a quick decision.
Any legitimate business should give you the space to make an informed choice.
 Obituaries
Robert Wager
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Robert Wager who retired as a Sergeant in 1984 and served at Tiptree & Kelvedon.
He passed away on the 13 March 2025 aged 92 years.
Brian Lewis
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Brian Lewis who retired as a Sergeant in 1977 and served with the Southend Borough and Basildon. He passed away on 1 April 2025 aged 92 years.
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