News 26 May to 1 June
 Neighbourhood Policing Teams launched in Essex
“We value our neighbourhoods which is why we’re increasing local presence to increase visibility and reduce crime even further.”
That’s from our Chief Constable as he launches our Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
These teams – renamed from our Community Policing Teams – are seeing a total of 74 additional officer roles in response to the Government’s Neigbourhood Policing Guarantee.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington says the force knows how important visibility is: “We value our neighbourhoods which is why we’re increasing local presence and visibility.
 Mersea Island: Kite surfer in distress brought to safety
Officers from our marine unit who were patrolling the county’s coastline were called into action last week after a kitesurfer fell into distress off Mersea Island.
The initial 999 report was made to the Coastguard, which then asked our units to move quickly to the man’s location. He had been in the water for about 30 minutes and had not been able to get to the safety of shore. Our units arrived and quickly spotted him and were able to bring him to safety before he was given medical checks.
 Six arrested as officers target town centres
Six more people have been arrested in Essex, with officers out in towns and city centres this half term.
Two people were arrested by our Chelmsford Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) on Tuesday 27 May, one of which was wanted for failing to attend court.
The officers also took an illegal e-bike off the roads, held an engagement event at Riverside Ice Rink and patrolled in the city centre.
The NPT in Tendring also made an arrest, with a man in Manningtree taken into custody on suspicion of breaching the conditions of his court order.
The Basildon NPT and Roads Policing Unit made an arrest each, stopping and detaining drivers on suspicion of drink or drug driving.
The team were out in the town and speaking to businesses to understand the issues affecting them and addressing reports that e-bikes are being used in an unsafe manner after reports of issues were received in Manningtree and Brantham.
Countywide, officers carried out more than 300 hours of patrols on Tuesday, speaking to local residents at public events, carrying out licencing checks in local businesses, and stopping drivers breaking the rules of the road – more than 80 drivers were stopped and six had their vehicles seized for no insurance.
Clacton: Suspected county line eliminated and drugs seized
Action targeting drug supply in Clacton has seen a suspected county line eliminated and a man remanded in prison ahead of a court case.
This work has also seen quantities of heroin and crack cocaine seized. Operation Raptor, our team dedicated solely to tackling Class A drug supply in Essex, built a case against the ‘Mike’ county line.
The line was linked to the supply of Class A drugs in Clacton since September 2024.
Following work with the Metropolitan Police, we searched a caravan at a holiday park in Clacton, arresting a man and seizing substantial amounts of crack cocaine and heroin.
Charges have since been secured against Sean O’Flanagan, 32, of Rannock Road, London.
He’s charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property.
He remains in custody until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 18 June.
 Dangerous driver jailed
A disqualified driver who left the scene of a collision in South Ockendon and then refused to stop for police has been jailed.
Roads policing officers from Essex, supported by colleagues from Kent, tracked the driver across two counties before stopping him as he tried to evade them on a busy A road.
During a carefully controlled 20-minute pursuit from Aveley, the driver failed to stop for officers and put other road users at risk.
However, as he tried to leave the A2 in Kent he collided with a marked police car and was quickly arrested.
Harmash Bunger asked officers why he was being arrested at the scene and refused to provide a specimen of breath for a roadside alcohol test.
Following the incident on Friday 21 March, 47-year-old Bunger was charged with:
- Dangerous driving
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
- Refusing to provide a specimen for analysis
- Driving while disqualified
- Driving with no insurance
- Careless driving
- Failing to stop when requested by an officer
When he appeared at court on 23 April he admitted all seven offences.
Langdon Hills: Man charged with criminal damage
A man charged with criminal damage has appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.
We received reports of a suspect seen outside a property in Langdon Hills banging on a property’s front door at about 6.30am on Friday 23 May.
Thirty minutes later there was a second similar incident, and the door of a property was left damaged.
We identified and arrested a suspect later that day.
Now, 27-year-old Richard Barnacle, of Lippits Hill in Langdon Hills, has been charged with criminal damage and appeared at court on Tuesday 27 May.
Barnacle pleaded not guilty and will return to the same court on 2 December 2025 to stand trial.
He was released on court bail ahead of the trial with strict conditions on the addresses he can visit and the people he can contact.
 Chelmsford: Two-year Criminal Behaviour Order secured
We’ve secured a Criminal Behaviour Order for the next two years against a man in Chelmsford.
Forty-five-year-old Gareth Atkinson, of no fixed abode, had been charged with criminal damage and a public order offence after damaging a police vehicle.
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court on 29 May and was given the CBO which is in place until 2027.
Under the order he is not permitted to enter any Co-op or Tesco store in Chelmsford, cannot be carrying open containers of alcohol and cannot be intoxicated in a public place.
Importantly, he must also remain in contact with support services in the city while under the order.
 Basildon: Violent offenders jailed for 27 years over aggravated burglary
A violent drug dealer was one of two offenders jailed for a combined 27 years over an aggravated burglary in Basildon.
 Clacton: 'We promised to deliver justice at victim's bedside'
James Gibbs appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 22 May and was sentenced to four years in prison, after previously being found guilty of gross indecency offences.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 2 June
10am to 12pm
Walton Forum in company with Peabody, Walton High Street, Walton.
10am to 11am
Quadrant Department Store, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford
10am to 11am
Coffee Hog William Harris Way William Harris Way, Berechurch CO2 8WJ
11am to 12pm
The Council Offices, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea
3pm to 4pm
Havens Hub, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff
Tuesday 3 June
10am to 12pm
Oasis Cafe, Frinton Free Church, Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea.
10:30am to 11:30am
Corringham library, St Johns Way
Wednesday 4 June
10am to 11am
Mead House coffee morning, Saville Street, Walton on the Naze.
10:30am to 11:30am
Chelmsford Library Chelmsford County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford
Thursday 5 June
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Tiptree Jam Factory Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester
Friday 6 June
10:30am to 11:30am
Toast Culver Precinct
10:30am to 12pm
Great Bentley Coffee Morning, Methodist Church, Forge Lane, Great Bentley.
3pm to 4pm
Poundland, 43-45 Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea.
4pm to 10pm
Ibiza Music Festival, Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex
Saturday 7 June
10am to 12pm
Bike and Tool Marking event, Tolleshunt D'Arcy Village Hall Tollesbury Road Tolleshunt D'Arcy
11am to 12pm
Budgens, Clacton Road, Elmstead Market.
4pm to 11:30pm
Soultasia, Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex
Sunday 8 June
10am to 12pm
New Ground Cafe, Newhall, Harlow
3:30pm to 4:30pm
The Pier, The Quay, Harwich
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Secure your home, secure your peace of mind
Consider installing strong locks, security lights and always lock your doors and windows, even if you are just stepping out for a minute.
Be fraud smart
Fraudsters don’t discriminate — they target anyone, anywhere, anytime
Help us fight back. Take the Essex Fraud Survey today.
Created by the Essex Multi-Agency Against Fraud, to further understand what types of fraud are affecting our neighbourhoods—and what’s going unreported.
Your voice matters.
The results will shape future projects to protect Essex residents from these criminals.
The survey closes 8th June — don’t miss your chance to make a difference!
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Vehicle Technician £38,754
Restorative and Mediation Service Co-ordinator £32,244
Community Support Officers £26,106
Detention Officers £29,109
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Charles Norwood
Charles Norwood served with Essex County Constabulary from 1 Feb 1911. On 31 May 1915 Charles volunteered for military service at Shoeburyness Garrison, enlisting with 245th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery serving as Sergeant 122436. He suffered the effects of a gas attack and died on 4 June 1917 from the injuries that he had received.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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