News 15 September to 21 September
 “Everyone is affected by the potential dangers from illegally-dumped rubbish and illegally-driven vehicles,” says rural engagement officer
Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team is working closely with local councils to crack down on fly-tipping across the county. Officers and council staff are carrying out regular joint patrols, stopping and checking vehicles carrying waste to make sure they have the correct insurance and waste carrier licences. This helps prevent illegal dumping, which can harm people, wildlife, and the environment, and costs councils and landowners thousands to clear up.
Recent operations in Basildon, Brentwood, Epping Forest, and Uttlesford saw several new fly-tipping sites discovered, and fines issued to those carrying waste without the right paperwork. Police have the power to seize vehicles and issue penalties, while councils investigate and take enforcement action. Licensed waste carriers have welcomed these checks, as they help stop those who cut corners and dump rubbish illegally.
Everyone has a duty to dispose of waste legally. If you pay someone to take your rubbish away, always check they have a valid waste carrier’s licence—otherwise, you could be fined if your waste is dumped illegally. You can check licences easily on the Environment Agency website.
To report fly-tipping or find out how to dispose of your waste responsibly, visit the Love Essex website.
Two brothers have been sentenced following a detailed investigation into a series of burglaries across Rochford, Basildon and Kent. The men were arrested in March after a member of the public reported seeing three masked individuals fleeing a home in Rayleigh.
John Lowe, 25, was jailed for 45 months and banned from driving for three years. His brother, Jim Lowe, 21, received an 18-month suspended sentence and a one-year driving ban. Victims lost thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, including a family heirloom.
Thanks to quick action by the public and hard work by detectives, charges were secured within 24 hours. A third man arrested at the time faces no further action.
We take burglary seriously and will continue to pursue those who cause harm in our communities.
 Successful Essex Police Operation at Stansted During US Presidential Visit
Essex Police led a major security operation at London Stansted Airport to support the safe arrival and departure of US President Donald Trump and his delegation.
Officers from across the UK assisted with vehicle checks, patrols, and searches to ensure the safety of all passengers and VIPs.
The operation ran smoothly thanks to careful planning, teamwork, and support from airport staff. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow praised everyone involved for their professionalism and dedication.
In the past two years, Essex Police officers have made 2,829 arrests for shop theft - an average of 118 arrests every month. We've also solved 67% more shoplifting offences compared to the previous year, thanks to strong evidence and support from retailers.
Our Business Crime Team works closely with shops to provide expert advice and help keep staff and stock safe. Through our Open For Business, Closed For Crime campaign, we encourage retailers to report incidents, which helps us spot crime trends and secure convictions.
Currently, 105 shoplifters are subject to Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), which can ban offenders from specific stores or entire chains. Some are also required to attend drug or alcohol treatment to address the root causes of their offending.
We’re committed to protecting businesses and communities across Essex.
In the past year, our Rural Engagement Team has seized or recovered 108 vehicles across Essex’s countryside. These include 42 stolen vehicles - such as plant machinery and motorcycles - tracked down and returned to their owners, and 56 vehicles seized for being driven without insurance or a valid licence.
We also seized 10 vehicles linked to illegal hare coursing, helping to disrupt this criminal activity in isolated rural areas. Our officers regularly patrol rural roads and conduct speed checks, with 175 locations visited since last October, responding to concerns raised by local communities.
Uninsured driving is often linked to other dangerous behaviours like speeding and drug-driving, which is why we take action to keep our roads safe.
A man has been jailed for 11 years after causing a crash that led to the death of 83-year-old Jennifer Anne Tillett. The collision happened on the A12 near Chelmsford in January 2023, as Mrs Tillett and her family were returning home from celebrating her birthday.
Their car had stopped due to traffic when it was hit from behind by a van, flipping the vehicle onto its roof. Mrs Tillett later died in hospital, and her son and daughter-in-law were seriously injured. The driver was also banned from driving for 8 years. Officers found he had been using his mobile phone before the crash.
Mrs Tillett’s family described her as kind, generous, and the heart of their family.
 Epping Forest: Car criminals targeted by response team operation
Loughton Local Policing Team has continued their work to crack down on car crime in Epping Forest. The district had become a hotspot due to its location and transport links, but thanks to targeted action, vehicle crime is down by 26% in the past year.
Officers are using ANPR technology, vehicle markers, and intelligence sharing to identify and stop offenders. Their work has led to arrests, extra charges for related crimes, and the recovery of stolen vehicles. Two men were recently jailed for stealing 70 cars worth £1.3 million.
The team is committed to breaking up organised gangs and helping victims get justice.
Essex Police is stepping up efforts to tackle illegal hare coursing, a cruel activity where dogs chase and kill wild hares. The Rural Engagement Team is increasing patrols in known hotspots and using drones and helicopters to track suspects.
Four people have recently been charged following incidents in Danbury. Officers are working closely with farmers and landowners to protect rural communities and encourage the public to report any sightings. If you see hare coursing happening, call 999 immediately.
 Robert Axten, Shakime Morrison and Mapalo Ziba
Three men have been jailed for more than 27 years after Essex Police shut down a Colchester drug line linked to guns and violence.
Officers seized drugs worth up to £225,000, two firearms, and £30,000 in cash. The men behind the ‘Mo’ line were sentenced after a major investigation by specialist officers.
 You Said, We Did: 556 Speeding Drivers Caught on Camera
Following concerns raised by residents across Essex, our speed enforcement team took action last week - capturing 556 speeding drivers on camera in just seven days.
Officers focused on areas highlighted by the public, using specialist equipment and high-visibility patrols to record offences and promote safer driving. Key results included:
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Colchester: 89 offences over two days
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Chelmsford area: 99 offences in Beaulieu, A131, and Great Baddow
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South Essex: 318 offences in Hockley, Rayleigh, and Benfleet
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West Essex: 50 offences in Ingatestone, Margaretting, and Billericay
Local residents welcomed the enforcement, sharing how speeding affects their safety - especially near schools and busy roads. Essex Police remains committed to reducing collisions and urges all drivers to slow down and drive responsibly.
A man who stole 11 cars worth over £310,000 across Basildon, Thurrock, Southend and Leigh-on-Sea has been jailed for nearly four years.
Jayden Hussain, 31, was caught after driving a stolen car the wrong way down the A12 and trying to flee across fields. Our officers linked him to multiple thefts using CCTV and evidence from his home.
He admitted conspiracy to steal, dangerous driving, and other offences. He’s now banned from driving for almost four years and must take an extended retest.
A bold plan to break inmates out of HMP Chelmsford using fake court emails has led to six convictions. One prisoner was wrongly released—but was quickly found and arrested. Further attempts to free others were blocked after prison staff spotted something wasn’t right and raised the alarm.
Our investigation uncovered the full conspiracy, leading to guilty pleas from all involved.
This summer, our Neighbourhood Policing Teams made over 900 arrests and secured 940 charges - a 50% rise compared to last year. Thanks to 72 new officer roles, we’ve been able to focus even more on tackling crime and keeping communities safe.
From reducing shoplifting in Epping and Brentwood, to using drones in Wickford and seizing illegal e-bikes in Southend, our teams have been working hard across Essex.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 22 September
10am to 11:30am
Henham Community Store, High Street, Henham
10am to 11am
Tesco Express, Leigh Broadway, Leigh
3pm to 4pm
Poundland, 43-45 Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea
6pm to 7pm
Black Lion, High Roding
Tuesday 23 September
10:30am to 11:30am
Corringham library, St Johns Way
10:30am to 12pm
Unit 17, Culver Walk, Lion Walk Shopping Centre, Colchester CO1 1DX
3pm to 4pm
East Tilbury Hub, Princess Avenue, East Tilbury
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Westcliff Library, London Road, Westcliff
Wednesday 24 September
9:30am to 10:30am
Touch Point, Crafton Green, Stansted
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary way, Little Clacton
10am to 2pm
Safe to Go Stow hub, 28 The Stow, Harlow
10am to 11am
The Village Hall, Clacton Road, St Osyth, Clacton on Sea
11am to 12pm
Hardie Park Cafe, Hardie Road, Stanford-Le-Hope
4:45pm to 5:45pm
All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road, Chigwell Row
Thursday 25 September
10am to 11am
Emmanuel Church, New Pier St, Walton on the Naze
10am to 11am
The Brooklands Community Shop, 12 Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick
10am to 11am
McDonalds, Hartley Brook Road, Clacton on Sea
11am to 12pm
Springfield Library St Augustine's Way, Springfield, Chelmsford CM1 6GX
11:30am to 12:30pm
Kennedy Way Community Garden, Kennedy Way, Clacton on Sea
1pm to 3pm
Sible Hedingham parish council
Friday 26 September
7am to 9am
Hockley Train Station, Station Road, Hockley Essex SS6 7HJ
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Rd, Hockley SS5 4BE
10am to 12pm
Walton Foodbank, Standley Road, Walton on the Naze
10:30am to 11:30am
Dovercourt Market, High Street, Dovercourt.
12pm to 1pm
Knightswick centre - Furtherwick Road Canvey Island
12pm to 1pm
IKEA Lakeside (Customer restaurant), Heron Way, Essex
Saturday 27 September
10am to 11am
Co-op, Flitch Green
10:30am to 12pm
Saint Peter And St. Paul, Orsett Road, Horndon on The Hill
10:30am to 12:30pm
The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh SS6 7ED
11am to 1pm
Chelmsford Indoor Market, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1LE
12pm to 4pm
Lawford Parish Community Hub, Unit 1, The Avenue, Lawford
3pm to 4pm
Broomfield Library, 180 Main Rd, Broomfield, Chelmsford
4pm to 6pm
High Street, Burnham-on-crouch, CM0 8AA
5pm to 7:30pm
Burnham-On-Sea Carnival, High Street, Burnham-On-Crouch
Sunday 28 September
9am to 9:30am
Central Park, Chelmsford, CM11JJ
2pm to 3pm
B&M, Airport Retail Park, Rochford Rd, Rochford, SS2 6FW
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Protect your car from thieves
Car thieves are fast, often opportunistic, and always on the lookout for an easy target. But they’re also risk-averse.
If your vehicle looks difficult to steal, they’re more likely to move on. The longer it takes, the greater the chance someone will notice and the greater the risk they’ll get caught.
Every extra barrier, from steering locks to alarms, trackers, and parking in secure well lit areas, increases the time and effort needed to steal your vehicle. And that’s exactly what criminals want to avoid.
- Here's some top tips to protect your ride: Use a steering wheel lock – It’s a strong visual deterrent.
- Keep keys away from doors and windows – Thieves use signal boosters to access keyless cars.
- Install a tracker or alarm system – It can help recover your car if stolen.
Share this advice to help others stay safe.
Be fraud smart
Stay safe while shopping online
Did you know online shopping fraud is the most reported fraud type seen in Essex?
- 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.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Roads Policing Process Support Officer £26,106
Roads Policing Primary Investigation Officer £26,106
Small Works - Project Manager £40,170
7F Supplier Relationship Manager £51,291
Contact Centre Officer £26,106 to £28,650
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
 George William Gutteridge
George Gutteridge joined Essex County Constabulary in April 1910 and served 8 years before joining the army. He re-joined Essex Police on 23 February 1919 and by 1922 was based at Stapleford Abbots. On 26 September 1927, George was fatally shot in the head whilst on duty.
Ernest George Weavers
Earnest Weavers joined Essex Constabulary in 1911 and transferred to served with Southend Borough Constabulary from 1 April 1914. He enlisted with army later the same year and was in France for twenty eight days when he died on 28 September 1915.
Alfred Mann
Alfred Mann served with Essex County Constabulary from 4 May 1897 and joined the army on 31 July 1915. He enlisted for the Military Mounted Police and was sent to France where he had seen barely two months service before he was killed on 28 September 1915.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Brian Darton
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Brian Darton who retired as a Constable in 2002 and served at Braintree and Felsted. He passed away on 7 September 2025 aged 79 years.
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