News 29 October to 4 November
 Rapist sentenced to 14 years in prison
Officers have praised the bravery of a woman reporting she was raped as her attacker was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Daniel Oldfield, 48, of no fixed abode, attacked his victim in her own home in April 2022.
On the night of 2 April, Oldfield had been sleeping elsewhere in the property but entered the woman’s bedroom and attacked her, injuring her hand and holding her by the neck before leaving the room.
Later the same evening he attacked the woman again, as she slept, raping and sexually assaulting her.
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Detectives bring down drug lines run from prison
A drug dealer who tried to run a crack cocaine and heroin supply business from prison faces an additional six years behind bars after our officers traced the evidence back to him.
We’ve also secured a Serious Crime Prevention Order against him, which will restrict his ability to return to the same criminal activity and ensure he is closely monitored upon his release.
Donrico Rowe, 26, thought he could distance himself from the risky work selling harmful drugs on the streets of Essex.
Unfortunately for him, as we had already done with each of his associates, our Operation Raptor teams tracked him down.
Read more by clicking the button below.
Man jailed for causing injury that left two seriously injured
Work by specialist roads policing officers has ensured a driver who caused a collision that seriously injured two has been jailed.
Our officers identified John Doocey was driving a Nissan NT400 flatbed van at 90mph along the A133 at Frating on around 7.05pm on 3 August this year.
They established he had attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre during extremely poor conditions, with heavy rainfall limiting visibility and leaving significant standing water on the road.
Shortly after the overtake, Doocey lost control of his vehicle which fishtailed, left the carriageway, rolled, and hit a tree.
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Upcoming community police events
Friday 7 November
11am to 12pm - Highwoods Square, Colchester CO4 9ED
Saturday 8 November
3pm to 4pm - Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex
Wednesday 12 November
10am to 11am - Wimpole Road Church 49 Wimpole Road, Colchester, Essex
 Crime prevention advice
Bonfire Night is a time for celebration, but it’s also important to stay safe and protect your property. Here are some key tips to help prevent crime and ensure a safe evening for everyone:
Secure Your Home
Lock all doors and windows before heading out to events.
Leave a light on or use a timer to give the impression someone is home.
Avoid posting your location or plans on social media until after the event.
Protect Your Vehicle
Park in well-lit, secure areas.
Remove valuables from sight – even small items can tempt thieves.
Double-check that your vehicle is locked.
Stay Safe at Events
Attend organised displays rather than setting off fireworks at home.
Keep an eye on children and vulnerable individuals.
Report any suspicious behaviour to event staff or police.
Be Firework Aware
Never pick up or relight used fireworks.
Keep pets indoors – loud noises can distress animals and lead to unpredictable behaviour.
Dispose of fireworks safely and responsibly.
If You See Something, Say Something
Call 999 in an emergency.
For non-urgent concerns, contact your local police via 101 or report online.
Be fraud smart
Investment scams are the UK’s most financially damaging fraud – costing victims millions.
Scammers often pose as financial advisors or representatives of legitimate firms, offering high returns with little risk. These scams frequently begin online, especially through social media or unsolicited messages.
Top Tips to Stay Safe:
Check the FCA register – Always verify if the firm is authorised via the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) website.
Be wary of pressure tactics – Genuine investments don’t require urgent decisions or secrecy.
Don’t trust unsolicited contact – If someone contacts you out of the blue with an investment opportunity, it’s likely a scam.
Avoid sending money upfront – Especially via bank transfer or cryptocurrency.
Talk to someone you trust – Before making any financial commitment, speak to a friend, family member, or financial advisor.
Report it
If you suspect a scam, report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
 Click below to read more about crimes reported in your area.
Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
 Question
My dog is really afraid of fireworks, do you have any advice?
Answer: Dogs have better hearing than humans do and for them fireworks are extremely loud and scary.
Keep the animal indoors, close the windows and have the TV on or music playing to muffle the sound of the fireworks.
There are some products that vets may be able to offer to help keep your dog calm.
If at all possible try and make sure someone is at home with the animal as it will be comforting to have a familiar face around.
Dogs can also benefit from having a safe space in the house where they can hide. A crate covered with a blanket for example can help with settling a nervous dog.
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