News 20 October to 26 October
A 30‑year‑old man, Kieran Shepherd, was tragically killed while walking his dog in Chelmsford on 15 October 2024. Following a four‑week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, three 20‑year‑olds have now been sentenced for their roles in his death. Zack O’Keefe received a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years for murder.
Harrison Carpenter was sentenced to 11 years, and Joseph Dawe to 10-and-a-half years, both for manslaughter.
During sentencing on 23 October 2025, Kieran’s mother described him as “kind, caring and always managing to make people laugh” and spoke of the deep and unfillable loss the family continues to feel. His father and step‑mother paid tribute to his memory and expressed gratitude to all those who helped bring his killers to justice.
Detective Inspector Lydia George noted that the men chased Kieran in Meadgate Avenue, attacked and stabbed him, then attempted to hide evidence and evade arrest. The investigation traced their movements across Essex and beyond, leading to arrests soon after.
All three defendants denied murder, but after nearly ten hours of jury deliberation, one was found guilty of murder and the other two of manslaughter. DI George added that the defendants showed no remorse, deliberately destroyed evidence, and tried to flee - but justice was secured
 Epping & Roydon: Hare coursing suspects issued with legal orders by local policing team
We recently responded to reports of hare coursing at Epping Upland on 20 October.
Our National Police Air Service helicopter tracked a group of four individuals across a field, and guided officers from Loughton Local Policing Team to the scene, where a loose lurcher was discovered. Three men from Roydon - aged 33, 29 and 28 - have since received three-year community protection warnings. These orders require them to cease hare coursing activities or face further legal action.
Hare coursing is a dangerous and cruel offence, often linked to organised crime, trespassing, threats to farmers and harm to wildlife. If these warnings are ignored, we can escalate to community protection notices, with the potential for fines or criminal prosecution.
During Tyre Safety Month, Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit ran a Vision Zero operation on Clay Hill Road in Basildon on 22 October. Officers stopped 10 vehicles for defects, including three with dangerously worn tyres, highlighting the importance of tyre safety.
Other offences included:
- 22 drivers not wearing seat belts
- 12 using mobile phones while driving
- 3 speeding
- 2 uninsured vehicles
- 2 cars and 3 e‑scooters seized
Speed checks across the district found:
- 40 speeding offences, with one driver reaching 104 mph on the A13
- Near schools, 3 speeding reports, including 54 mph in a 30 mph zone
Three men from Aveley have been issued with community protection notices (CPNs) following reports of hare coursing in a field at Blackmore on 4 October.
The group was tracked by the National Police Air Service helicopter and met by Brentwood officers on Mountnessing Road, where they were found with three dogs.
The men, aged 28, 24 and 19, had previously received a warning but ignored it. The new CPNs, which last for three years, aim to stop behaviour linked to illegal coursing, lamping, poaching and trespassing. These activities often involve cruelty to animals and threats to landowners and are linked to organised crime.
The notices set out strict conditions, including keeping dogs on leads, not being on private land without written permission, and restrictions on travelling with dogs or possessing certain items like catapults or air weapons. Breaching a CPN can lead to fines, prosecution, and property seizure.
Three men have been jailed for their roles in a conspiracy to steal high-value vehicles worth around £1.5 million across Essex and surrounding areas. The group targeted cars including Range Rovers, BMWs, and Audis, often stealing multiple vehicles in a single night. They used sophisticated methods to bypass security systems and quickly transport the stolen cars to locations where they were dismantled or sold.
The investigation, led by Essex Police’s Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit, uncovered evidence linking the men to at least 27 thefts between February and October 2022.
Officers used CCTV, phone data, and vehicle tracking to build a strong case. The men were arrested in coordinated operations and later charged with conspiracy to steal.
All three pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court. Essex Police hopes these convictions send a clear message that organised vehicle theft will not be tolerated and that those involved will be brought to justice.
A man was arrested in South Ockendon on Tuesday, 14 October, after roads policing officers spotted his Audi and tried to stop it following reports of suspicious activity the previous night. The driver failed to comply, triggering a pursuit that ended when officers performed a tactical stop in a car park off High Road in Stanford le Hope.
During a search of his vehicle, officers found 30 small bags of cannabis - suggesting intent to supply - along with other items.
The 34‑year‑old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, drug driving, possession with intent to supply, and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon. He was released on bail until 3 January 2026.
Our roads policing team continues to work hard to keep roads safe and remove illegal substances from vehicles.
On 13 October at around 7:20 pm, in West Street, Rochford, a delivery driver was getting into their van outside Sainsbury’s when a man tried to snatch their delivery bag. The suspect was stopped by an off‑duty British Transport Police officer and later arrested by Essex Police.
A 43‑year‑old man, has been charged with eight offences. He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on 13 November. The charges include:
- Two counts of attempted theft
- Assaulting an emergency worker
- Assault by beating
- Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress
- Two counts of criminal damage
- Obstructing or resisting an officer in the execution of their duty
We are committed to supporting delivery drivers and taking robust action against those targeting them.
Our officers are supporting farmers in the Braintree district by providing free forensic DNA property-marking kits to help protect their machinery and equipment.
These kits, distributed by neighbourhood policing officers, allow farmers to mark items in a way that makes them traceable back to their rightful owners.
This initiative aims to deter theft and enhance recovery of stolen agricultural property.
Farmers interested in receiving a kit can contact their local policing team.
Officers from the Clacton Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a series of warrants on 20 October, resulting in the arrest of five individuals with outstanding offences. Among those arrested:
- Three were wanted in connection with assault incidents.
- One woman was detained in relation to a domestic burglary.
- One man, subject to a drugs-related warrant, was also wanted on a recall to prison.
One suspect was discovered hiding in a loft when officers entered his property.
Sergeant Rob Mackenzie, who oversaw the operation, emphasised that the initiative targets individuals attempting to evade justice - those who fail to attend court or breach licence terms - and forms part of a broader county-wide effort to protect local communities.
A teenager has appeared in court following a joint investigation by Grays CID. The individual was charged on 11 October at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing at Basildon Crown Court on 3 November.
The charges include:
- Robbery of an electric scooter in Tilbury on 8 October
- Possession of a knife in a public place on Toronto Road, Tilbury, on the same day.
- Threatening a person with a machete in Grays High Street on 9 October
- Attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent
- Possession of cannabis
We remain committed to ensuring safety across Purfleet, Grays, and Tilbury, working diligently to bring alleged offenders to justice and protect the community.
A woman has been charged with murder following the death of a 19-year-old man in Brentwood. Officers were called to a property on Sunday 19 October after concerns were raised for the man’s welfare. Sadly, he was found deceased inside.
A woman in her 50s was arrested at the scene and has now been charged with murder. She appeared in court on Tuesday 21 October and was remanded in custody ahead of a preliminary hearing the following day.
Our investigation remains ongoing. We’re continuing to support the man’s family and ask the public to avoid speculation out of respect for those affected.
Essex Police worked closely with West Mercia colleagues in a successful investigation into a dangerous online offender, resulting in a Clacton man being jailed. In October 2025, 50‑year‑old Marc Yeomans was sentenced to 14 years and five months in prison, plus an additional five‑year licence period.
Yeomans posed as a photographer on Instagram between August and November 2019, contacting a vulnerable child in the West Midlands and requesting inappropriate images.
The victim’s father alerted police after finding concerning messages on his son’s phone. Detectives seized devices from the suspect’s workplace, car, and home, uncovering further offences.
Yeomans pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including inciting sexual activity of a child under 13, possession of indecent images, and sexual communications with a child.
Detective Constable Matthew Wright from Essex Police’s Online Investigation Team emphasised the importance of checking privacy settings and monitoring children’s online interactions.
Parents can find safety advice on the “Sort your settings” page of the Essex Police website.
 “Nearly 1,500 more crimes solved shows our commitment to getting justice for victims" - Essex Police Chief Constable
We’ve solved 1,450 more crimes in the past year, showing our continued commitment to securing justice for victims. Between October 2024 and September 2025, our officers secured nearly 14,600 charges - an increase of 1,100 compared to the previous year.
We’ve seen improvements in solving serious offences including rape, high-risk domestic abuse, vehicle theft, shoplifting, burglary, and business robbery. Our Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington says these results reflect the hard work of our teams and our focus on putting victims first.
Overall crime continues to fall, and we remain dedicated to making Essex safer for everyone.
A young victim of a historical sexual offence has described Detective Constable Kian Harding as “one of only two adults I trust,” highlighting the compassionate and professional support they received throughout the investigation.
The case involved Bradley Grocutt, now 29 and previosuly of Cromwell Road, who sexually abused a young boy in Southend in 2017. The victim came forward in 2022, and Grocutt was arrested shortly after. He admitted to digital penetration and two counts of sexual touching.
On 1 October, he was sentenced to 10 years and 11 months in prison - 6 years and 11 months in custody, followed by 4 years on extended licence. He was also given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The victim’s powerful statement was praised by Detective Inspector Matthew Schneider, who also commended DC Harding for his patience, empathy, and dedication to securing justice.
A 51-year-old man has been charged after a stun gun was found in a package intercepted by Border Force in August. He was arrested on 14 October and has been charged with importing prohibited weapons or ammunition with intent to evade a ban.
He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on 27 November.
A man was arrested in Tilbury on suspicion of drug driving after officers stopped a car with a flat tyre. The vehicle was seen driving erratically on St Chad’s Road just after 1am on 23 October. When stopped, the driver appeared under the influence and failed a roadside drug test. He was arrested and taken into custody for further testing. Officers also found cannabis inside the car. The man has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
 Kevin Levins and Joanna Hills
We’re continuing to investigate a serious collision that took place shortly after 6.30pm on Wednesday 1 October at the junction of Fambridge Road and Lower Burnham Road in Althorne. Tragically, Kevin Levins, 71, from Burnham, and Joanna Hills, 36, from Hullbridge, died at the scene.
Kevin’s family have paid tribute to him, describing his kindness, laughter and steady love. They shared memories of a devoted husband, dad, grandad and friend whose presence brought warmth and support to those around him.
Joanna’s family also shared heartfelt words, remembering her as a generous and loving daughter, mother, partner, sister and friend. They’ve asked for privacy as they grieve.
We’re still appealing for information and are particularly keen to speak to the occupants of a blue Mini with a white or light-coloured roof and white wing mirrors, which was seen in the area at the time. They may have vital information that could help our investigation.
Two people have pleaded guilty after two police officers were assaulted in Colchester on 17 February 2024.
Officers responded to reports of a fight on North Station Road and approached a man matching the description given. A second person then got involved and violently attacked both officers. One officer lost consciousness after being strangled, and the second officer was also strangled from behind. Both were taken to hospital and have since recovered.
Sam Minter, 39, of Boxted, and Taylor Oliver, 17, of Colchester, were arrested and charged. At Chelmsford Crown Court on 17 October 2025, Minter admitted intentional strangulation, making threats to kill, and affray. Oliver admitted intentional strangulation. Both are on bail ahead of sentencing on 24 November.
We will never tolerate violence against emergency service workers. Our officers were simply doing their job - responding to a call for help - and should never face this kind of danger.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 27 October
12pm to 1pm
Everyone Active, The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims Hatch
3pm to 4pm
Morrisons Supermarket, Waterglade Retail Park, Old Road, Clacton.
Tuesday 28 October
10am to 11am
The Ironworks, Leigh Community Centre, Elm Road, Leigh
10:30am to 12:30pm
Rochford Market Square, West Street, Rochford SS4 1AL
10:30am to 12pm
Rochford Banking hub, West Street, Rochford SS4 1AJ
Wednesday 29 October
10am to 2pm
Safe to go Stow, 28 The Stow, Harlow
10:30am to 3pm
Knightswick centre - Furtherwick Road Canvey Island
12:30pm to 1:30pm
The Beacon Centre, Drake Road, Chafford Hundred
2pm to 3pm
Ockendon centre, Derry Avenue
7pm to 8pm
Cart and Wagon Shed, Warrior Square Road, Shoebury
7:30pm to 8:30pm
Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend
Thursday 30 October
10am to 11am
Tesco Stores Ltd, Meadow Rise, Billericay
11am to 12pm
Springfield Library, St Augustine's Way, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM1 6GX
11am to 1pm
Outside M&S, 43-45 High Street, Brentwood
Friday 31 October
7am to 9am
Hockley Train Station, Station Road, Hockley Essex SS5 4BG
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Road, Hockley SS5 4BE
12pm to 1pm
IKEA Lakeside (Customer restaurant), Heron Way, Essex
3pm to 4pm
Warm Place4U, Baptist Church, 6 Paradise Road, Waltham Abbey
Saturday 1 November
9am to 11am
Hadleigh cycle park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
11am to 1pm
Unit 17, The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham
2:30pm to 3pm
Iceland, Greyhound Estate, Southend
Sunday 2 November
10am to 11am
The Coffee Pot, Church Lane, Little Canfield
10:30am to 11:30am
Alloments, Great Dunmow
2pm to 3pm
Iceland, Greyhound Estate, Southend
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Stay safe on the road
We all share the road, whether on four wheels, two wheels, or four hooves.
Especially as it gets darker earlier it is important for all road users to work together to ensure we all remain safe.
Most horse riders will inevitably need to ride on the road at some point. It could be to reach an off-road route or even to connect one bridleway to another.
- Drivers, be extra alert for horse riders, especially in low light and rural areas.
- Riders, wearing hi-vis and reflective gear isn’t just smart, it’s life-saving.
Be fraud smart
Scam alert!
There has been a rise in reports of fake driving lesson and practical test slots being offers on social media.
Stay safe and always book through accredited driving schools or verified instructors.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Civil Claims Investigator £29,109
Civil Claims Lawyer £51,291
Electrical Design Engineer £51,291
Senior Digital Forensic Specialist £47,709
Contact Centre Officers £26,106 to £28,650
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
William George Burnett
William Burnett preferred to be known as George and following his discharge from the Coldstream Guards, he joined Essex County Constabulary on July 1, 1911. He served at Brentwood and then Wickford and rejoined the colours as Lance Corporal in August 1914.
On 1 March 1916, the Chief Constable reported to the Police Authority;
‘Pc Burnett, on active service, has been missing since 29 October 1914 and the Army Council have accordingly informed his family that they have concluded he was killed on or after that date.’
Herbert James Button
Herbert served with the Grenadier Guards before joining Essex Constabulary on 7 January 1913. He was stationed at Dovercourt where, just before the outbreak of war, he managed to halt a runaway horse that had bolted along the High Street, but only after he had been dragged some considerable distance.
With the declaration of war on August 4, 1914, Herbert was recalled to the colours and rejoined his colleagues with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards at Chelsea Barracks. Two other Essex policemen, Percy Battle and Stapleton Hollett, were also reservists with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and were recalled at the same time.
Herbert Button was killed in the action close to Shrewsbury Forest. He died on November 1, 1914.
Before his death Herbert Button had written to his Inspector in Harwich. The letter was published in the Essex Weekly News on October 16, 1914.
"I am quite well and alive for the present, although perhaps not very safe. As I write, shells are whizzing over and bursting near. We are right in the thick of it here, and it's hot stuff. I have had some narrow escapes but have been lucky, although one never knows who may be next."
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Robert Gladstone
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Robert Gladstone who retired as a Sergeant in 1992 and served at Rayleigh, Basildon and Canvey Island. He passed away on the 10 October 2025 aged 87 years.
Paul Hanson
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Paul Hanson who retired as a Constable in 2015 and served at Southend, Shoebury and Westcliff. He leaves a widow Davida. He passed away on the 15 September 2025 aged 64 years.
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