News 21 July to 27 July
Yesterday and on Thursday 24 July, we facilitated peaceful protests in Epping which featured two separate groups of protestors.
To ensure those who wanted to protest peacefully and lawfully could do so safely we put in place some specific measures and to ensure the safety of our community.
This included a Section 60AA order banning face coverings and designating specific areas where protestors and counter-protestors could carry out their protest.
On Sunday, a group of people protesting against The Bell hotel formed at around 1pm.
Our officers then facilitated a march by a group of counter-protests from the tube station to their designated protest area at around 4pm before then escorting them back a short time later.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said:
“I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests.
“Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen.
“I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.”
Officers made three arrests:
- A 52 year-old man from Loughton on suspicion of a public order offence;
- A 53 year-old woman from Loughton on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest;
- A 27 year-old woman on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence.
They are all currently in custody.
 Your eyes are your best driving tool
On Wednesday 23 July officers were patrolling in Colchester when a Vauxhall car was seen to clip the kerb and a bollard.
After stopping the vehicle and speaking to the elderly driver, officers learnt that he was required to wear glasses when driving, but on this occasion was not wearing them.
An eyesight test was conducted at the roadside, where he should be able to see for 20 metres, he could only see for 2 metres.
The vehicle was seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act and the driver was reported for summons and a referral to the DVLA was made.
Officers from our Roads Policing Unit would like to remind all road users of the importance of having regular eyesight tests. Your eyes are your best driving tool, regular check-ups help keep you, and everyone else, safe on the road.
If you are prescribed contact lenses or glasses to assist you when driving please remember to wear them.
 Rural Engagement Team meet Boaty McBoatface
On Saturday 26 July, our Rural Engagement Team conducted a routine check at Harwich Port on the look-out for potentially stolen machinery being prepared for export.
We take all reports of stolen equipment seriously, especially when there’s a risk of it being moved out of the country. While nothing was found on this occasion, these checks are vital in disrupting criminal activity and reassuring the public that we’re taking action.
We’d like to thank our partners and port authority for their help: their vigilance plays a key part of ongoing efforts to prevent theft and protect Essex’s farming communities.
Whilst at Harwich port, they were lucky enough to see the docked RRS Sir David Attenborough aka Boaty McBoatface!
 A day with Roads Policing Unit officers tackling road safety in Essex
Our Roads Policing officers have been out on patrol with a clear mission: to keep our roads safe, reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI), and keep traffic moving smoothly.
On Thursday 24 July, they were out responding to collisions, stopping dangerous drivers, and supporting major incidents.
The team focuses on tackling the Fatal Four—the four most common causes of serious and fatal collisions:
- Speeding
- Drink and drug driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Using a mobile phone while driving
 Canvey: Pony and Trap event
Your local 'neigh' bourhood policing team were on hand at a recent pony and trap charity day that took place across South Essex.
The event on Saturday 26 July saw an impressive 69 pony and traps starting in Canvey, moving through Benfleet and Old Leigh, before returning to Canvey’s seafront for the final leg.
Essex Police were present throughout the day to keep a ‘rein’ on road safety and ensure that everyone could enjoy the ‘mane’ event.
Officers are pleased to report the event went well, without any hitches or horsing around!
 Pop-Up policing event at Lake Meadows, Billericay
Last Thursday, officers from the Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Rural Engagement Team hosted a pop-up event at Lake Meadows in Billericay. The teams provided crime prevention advice, engaged with young adults, and discussed local concerns with park visitors.
Officers also conducted patrols around the park and surrounding areas, actively deterring crime and keeping an eye out for anti-social behaviour. Their presence helped reassure the community and reinforce our commitment to keeping Billericay safe.
 Operation Topaz continues to tackle criminality on our roads
Operation Topaz is a national campaign that was launched just over a week ago to tackle criminality on our road networks.
This work being carried out aims to enhance our day-to-day road-safety focus on the Fatal Four offences of speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and driver mobile phone use.
The focus over the last week was on the A13 and A127 corridor and key hotspots like Grays town centre and Festival Leisure Park, Basildon.
Recent action was supported by our four-legged friends in the Dog Section, along with their handlers of course, and the Operational Support Group officers.
 Roydon: Robbers jailed following cross border investigation
Cross border working by officers from Essex Police and colleagues in Hertfordshire ensured two robbers were jailed for their crimes.
We were alerted to two violent robberies which happened within 10 hours of each other in Roydon, Essex, in September last year.
The defendants then headed to an address in Hertfordshire around 36 hours later, committing a third robbery.
At Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 18 July, Damien Kowalski, aged 29, of Brockles Mead, Harlow, was sentenced to 18 and a half years having pleaded guilty to three robberies, one count of wounding with intent and another of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was jailed for 14 and half years with an extended licence of four years.
Kacper Reszka, aged 21, of Barn Mead, Harlow, was sentenced to six years imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of robbery.
Theydon Bois: Fatal collision between car and pedestrian
Officers investigating a serious collision between a car and a pedestrian in Theydon Bois need anyone with information or footage to come forward.
We were called to the scene, in Abridge Road, shortly before 6.30pm on Monday 21 July.
The pedestrian, a man aged in his 50s, from Basildon, was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the car suffered serious injuries, which are not life-threatening, and is receiving hospital treatment.
An investigation is ongoing, led by our Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
They need any witnesses, or anyone with information or footage which could help us, to come forward as soon as possible.
Please cite incident 1132 of 21 July.
Following a public appeal, ten motorbike riders have been reported for traffic offences
Following a public appeal by Essex Police, ten motorbike riders have been identified and reported for traffic offences after engaging in anti-social and dangerous riding behaviour during the Southend Shakedown event on Easter Monday, 21 April.
The event, held along Southend’s seafront, attracted a large number of attendees and motorcyclists. While the majority of participants conducted themselves responsibly, a minority engaged in reckless behaviour that posed a serious risk to public safety.
On the day, officers dealt with 40 traffic law offences. A subsequent investigation, which involved reviewing extensive video footage, uncovered 17 additional incidents of dangerous driving. This led to the identification and reporting of 10 riders for careless driving offences in May.
Examples of offences included:
- Performing wheelies along Marine Parade
- Executing uncontrolled stunts near arcades and pedestrians
- Overtaking dangerously within pedestrian crossings
- Conducting prolonged burnouts in crowded areas
Each of the identified riders has received a £100 fine and three penalty points on their driving licence.
 Latest news from PFCC Roger Hirst
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 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 28 July
10am to 11am
Tesco Stores Ltd, Princes Road, Chelmsford
10am to 11am
Community Shop, Lower Road, Little Hallingbury
10am to 11am
Wethersfield Village Hall
11am to 1pm
Outside Waitrose, Queen's Road, Buckhurst Hill
1pm to 2pm
Thremhall Park Cafe, Start Hill, Great Hallingbury
3pm to 4pm
Hadleigh Cycle park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
3pm to 3:30pm
Henham Community Store, High Street, Henham
Tuesday 29 July
10:30am to 11:30am
Corringham library, St Johns Way
10:30am to 11:30am
Rochford Banking hub, West Street, Rochford SS4 1AJ
1pm to 1:30pm
Shalford Village Hall
4pm to 5pm
Poundland, 43 to 45 Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea
4:30pm to 6:30pm
Old Heath Ground, Colchester
Wednesday 30 July
10am to 3pm
Picnic in the Park, Melbourne Park, 56 Salerno Way, Chelmsford
11:30am to 1pm
Potter Street Paddling Pool, Potter Street, Harlow
1pm to 1:30pm
Finchingfield on the Green
5pm to 6pm
Tesco Extra, 132 London Road, Rayleigh SS6 9BN
6pm to 7pm
Black Lion, High Roding
Thursday 31 July
5pm to 6pm
Co-op, Lower Street, Stansted
Friday 1 August
10am to 2pm
Warley Playing Fields
10:30am to 11:30am
The Megacentre Rayleigh, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7UT
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
12pm to 2pm
Asda Rayleigh, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh SS6 9RN
1pm to 2pm
Morrisons - Northwick Rd, Canvey Island
1:30pm to 2:30pm
The Pyramid Centre, Heath Road, Chadwell St Mary
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Bulphan Village Hall, Church Road
Saturday 2 August
9am to 11am
Hadleigh Cycle park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
11:30am to 1pm
Staple Tye Splash Park, Abercrombie Way, Harlow
Sunday 3 August
9am to 11am
Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Somnes Avenue, Canvey Island
10am to 4pm
Bike Meet & Record Fair, The Museum of Power Hatfield Rd, Langford, Maldon
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Heading off for a break?
A few simple steps like setting a timer on your lights or asking a neighbour to check in can make your home less of a target.
Visit our link in the comments for more practical tips on how to secure your home while your away.
Be fraud smart
A reminder that major high street retailers have recently experienced cyber-attacks.
Be extra cautious with emails or messages claiming to be from these stores.
Fraudsters often use current news stories to lure you in, impersonating trusted brands to carry out phishing scams aimed at stealing your personal information.
For information and support, we’ve launched our online Fraud Toolkit – everything you need, all in one place.
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Police staff jobs
CCTV Evidence Officer £32,244
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Evidence Recovery Technician £26,106
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Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Henry Ernest Wright
Police Constable Henry Wright was 21 years old when he joined the River Police at Colchester. It was a rule of the River Police that every officer should be a good swimmer, and officers were allowed to bathe on duty if there was nothing else to do.
On Tuesday August 1 1899, Henry Wright failed to hand over his patrol boat at the end of his shift at 5pm. Eventually a search was started, and the boat was found at the mouth of Pyefleet Creek with Henry Wright's uniform in it; his body was found two days later. The coroner brought in a verdict of accidental death.
James Edmund Stone
James Stone took part in the initial bombardment but was seriously wounded on July 6. After treatment at a casualty clearing station he was removed from the battle area making the slow and painful journey to a field hospital located on the outskirts of Rouen. He died at the hospital on August 2, 1916. He was twenty-two years old.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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