News 28 April to 4 May
Mark Ward, a 41-year-old man from Witham, has been awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his heroic actions in saving a sailor who fell into the ice-cold estuary off Mersea Island. On a cold February day, Mark was crabbing with his family when they heard a shout of ‘man overboard’. Without hesitation, Mark ditched his winter clothes and entered the freezing water to rescue the man, who had been propelled into the estuary after his dinghy flipped over. Battling the tide and the cold, Mark managed to pull the unconscious sailor back towards the jetty, where other members of the public helped haul them to safety. The sailor was given immediate first aid before police and paramedics arrived.
Reflecting on the incident, Mark, who works in banking in London, expressed his relief at being able to help. He recalled the challenging conditions and the urgency of the situation, noting that his lungs froze and he struggled to breathe in the icy water. Despite the difficulties, Mark's quick thinking and physical fitness enabled him to keep the sailor afloat until help arrived.
The commendation ceremony at Essex Police headquarters recognized Mark's bravery, with Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington praising his actions as truly heroic. Mark and the sailor have since become lifelong friends, and Mark's family is proud of his courageous deed.
Detectives continuing a murder investigation following a fatal collision in Harlow have secured charges against a third man.
The investigation follows a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, near Momples Road, Harlow, at around 5.20pm on Saturday 29 March.
Arlind Xhokola, 26, from London, sadly died at the scene.
We’re further investigating the reported robbery of a Ford Fiesta in nearby Pennymead, Harlow, which took place earlier that day at around 4pm.
As a result of continuing work led by our Serious Crime Directorate, Matthew Arnold, 39, of The Dashes, Harlow, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and robbery.
Ten teenagers have now pleaded guilty to violent offences before standing trial after seeing the strength of the case our officers built.
On July 30 last year, officers responded within minutes of reports of people with weapons on the seafront, swiftly arresting several men and boys aged between 14 and 18.
Now, following a plea hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Monday 28 April, a tenth and final teenager has admitted his role in the violence.
Eighteen-year-old Hamza Dinbil of Corporation Street in Stratford pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
A 43-year-old man has been jailed for 23 months for shop theft and breaching a court order, following an investigation by Castle Point & Rochford Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Southend magistrates had imposed a criminal behaviour order (CBO) on Stefan Jaworski on 22 November 2022 with conditions not to enter any BP garage containing an M&S store, or any M&S store.
At Basildon Crown Court on 22 April Jaworski, of Francis Walk in Rayleigh, was jailed for a total of 23 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
Two men have been charged following an investigation into firearm incidents involving two vehicles in Essex. The investigation began after a car was struck by a bullet in Gardiners Lane North, Billericay, at around 12:30 am on 18 April. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A similar incident occurred six hours earlier on 17 April, when a white van was hit by a bullet in Nevendon Road, Wickford, also without any injuries. The serious and organised crime unit identified, arrested, and questioned several individuals as part of the investigation.
Donny Archer, 26, of Kelvedon Road, Tiptree, has been charged with attempted wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in connection with both incidents. He appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 26 April and was remanded into custody to appear at Basildon Crown Court on 26 May.
Nelson Buckland, 20, of Risebridge Chase, Romford, faces the same charges and appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 30 April. He was also remanded into custody to appear alongside Archer at Basildon Crown Court on 26 May.
A cocaine dealer’s large-scale operation was uncovered thanks to an effective stop and search carried out by an officer on patrol in Harlow.
A local policing team officer was carrying out an area search on 11 February this year linked to an unrelated matter. He spotted two men engaged in a potential drug deal. Approaching Bartram, he detained him for a search.
Bartram confessed to the officer he was carrying cocaine and was promptly arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.
A large sum of cash – suspected to be as much as £10,000 – as well as more than 160g of cocaine were recovered.
A nearby address in Harlow linked to Bartram was searched and further cash and a large brick of cocaine were seized.
PD Pablo joined Neighbourhood Police Team officers in Harlow as they carried out patrols and licence checks in the town.
With a targeted focus on tackling drug offences, the team were visiting pubs, other licensed premises and their surrounding areas.
The officers found one wrap and a deal bag in a car park, some class A drugs on a ledge in another pub’s toilet and a wrap of cocaine found in a third pub’s restroom.
During the day’s activities the officers also conducted a number of stop and searches, speaking to some people about drugs possession and issuing community resolutions in a couple of cases.
A viable firearm was seized and seven arrests were made as officers from across the force worked together to target a drug line fuelling violence and exploitation in Southend.
The drug line, operating under the name ‘Mali’ and based in Luton, saw crack cocaine and heroin sold on the streets of south Essex.
The line was linked to incidents of violence and the exploitation of vulnerable people’s homes to sell drugs – a practice known as ‘cuckooing’.
In a large-scale operation, officers from across our Serious Violence Unit executed six warrants in Luton on Thursday 1 May.
A man has been jailed for 12 years for a number of child sexual offences following a long and detailed Essex Police investigation.
We started our enquiries in October 2020 after receiving allegations of sexual assault involving two young girls.
One of the girls had confided in a friend. The friend’s dad then contacted social services to report their concerns.
Jay Hexter, of Edward Close, Chafford Hundred, was arrested and interviewed. He answered no comment throughout his initial interview and was released while enquiries continued.
During subsequent interviews he denied the allegations against him.
Two men have been arrested – and one charged – for drug supply offences as officers in our Road Crime Team kept our highways safe on Saturday.
Officers stopped a van believed to be speeding in Stow Maries, and identified the driver also had no insurance and was disqualified from driving.
As officers seized the vehicle, they also discovered two bag of suspected Class B dugs, and arrested the driver on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis.
He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue
A second vehicle was stopped in Maldon Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, when officers discovered the driver was wanted for failing to attend court.
Inside the vehicle they also discovered suspected Cass A drugs.
Now 40-year-old Alket Gjojdeshi, of no fixed address, has been charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
He has been remanded in custody ahead of appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 6 May.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Tuesday 6 May
10am to 11am
Norman Court Coltsfield Stansted
10am to 12pm
The Oasis café, Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea
10:30am to 11:30am
The Megacentre Rayleigh, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7UT
11am to 12pm
Coffee Pot, Little Canfield
12pm to 2pm
Asda, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh SS6 9RN
3pm to 4pm
Orleto Lounge, 2 East Square, Basildon SS14 1HS
5pm to 7pm
Lionel Road, Canvey Island
Wednesday 7 May
9:30am to 10:30am
Kappa Coffee House, Buntens Barn, Newport
10am to 11am
Community Shop Lower Road Little Hallingbury
10:30am to 11:30am
Chelmsford Library Chelmsford County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford
2pm to 3pm
Mens Shed, Blatches Barn, Church Lane, Little Canfield
3pm to 4pm
The Council Offices, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea
5pm to 7pm
Brook Road, Benfleet
Thursday 8 May
10:30am to 12pm
Cessac Cafe, Fallowfield Road, Colchester
10:30am to 11:30am
Reynolds Court Newport
11am to 1pm
Tesco, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey
11am to 12pm
Wood Cottage Tea Room Felsted
Friday 9 May
10am to 11am
Harwich Market, High Street, Harwich
1:30pm to 2:30pm
The Pyramid Centre, Heath Road, Chadwell St Mary
3pm to 4pm
McDonalds, Pier Avenue, Clacton
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Bulphan Village Hall, Church Road
Saturday 10 May
9am to 10am
Berecroft Community Centre, Berecroft, Harlow
10am to 11am
Manningtree Market, South Street, Manningtree
11am to 5pm
VE 80th Anniversary, Quay Street, Manningtree
3:30pm to 5pm
Allotments, Chickney Road, Henham
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Everyone deserves to live safely, free from abuse and neglect, no matter their age.
Abuse can take many forms, and it's vital for us to recognise and prevent it within our communities.
Want to learn more about the signs of abuse? Visit Hourglass.Together, we can make a real difference.
Be fraud smart
Online shopping fraud
Did you know online shopping fraud is the most reported fraud type seen in Essex?
Stay safe while shopping online.
- Use strong passwords and enable Two-Factor Authentication
- When making a purchase, use a credit card or another secure payment method that offers additional protection.
- If you think you've been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it as a crime.
Have your say
The Essex Multi Agency Against Fraud has launched a new survey to gain deeper insights into the types of fraud affecting our neighbourhoods.
Have your say and shape the future of our work so we can help stop those in Essex becoming victims of fraud.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Finance Business Partner £56,073.00
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Herbert Bert Edward Charles Pegrum
Herbert served with Southend Borough Constabulary from 23 June 1932. He enlisted with the Royal Horse Artillery in 1924 serving in Egypt until 1931. He then worked as a labourer, married and then joined the Southend Force.
He was mobilised to the army on 1 December 1939, transferred to the Corps of Military Police and died from lymphatic leukemia, at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth on Tuesday 6 May 1941.
Thomas George Joyce
Thomas Joyce was a gardener before he joined Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary as a Constable. He transferred to Southend-On-Sea Constabulary on October 1, 1914 and resigned on March 30, 1915 having joined the Coldstream Guards. He was killed in battle on May 11, 1916.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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