News 10 November to 16 November
 Just Here To Work: Supporting staff facing stalking or harassment in their workplace
Our Business Crime Team’s Just Here To Work initiative helps businesses support staff facing stalking or harassment.
Legislation introduced a year ago places a responsibility on employers to protect their staff from sexual harassment from colleagues, customers, clients and the public.
And business crime officer PC Glen Foote was at Lakeside Shopping Centre on 11 November to sign up more businesses to the team’s Just Here To Work campaign, which promotes workplace safety and conflict management skills.
He spoke with staff at eight businesses during the day and also offered conflict management training to a further seven.
At Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday 12 November Marc Cheeney was jailed for five years for rape following a five-day trial at the same court last month.
He had previously pled guilty to one count of coercive and controlling behaviour. He had denied the charge of rape, but the jury did not believe him.
He was also given 10 year restraining order and was placed on sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Twenty-two-year-old Cheeney was arrested in November 2022 after his crimes were reported to police, and an investigation was launched.
Following a detailed and sensitive investigation, which had started when the report came into police in August of 2022, he was charged in November 2023.
After the sentencing the survivor in this case thanked Detective Constable George Lakey.
She said:
George has been so good and understanding throughout this process.
I found it difficult at times, but his patience and kindness helped me through one of the darkest times of my life.
I can only offer my thanks, but it is not nearly enough.
I know how hard it is to report an offence like this to the police, but I would encourage anyone who has been assaulted in this way to talk to someone. Sharing what happened to me was scary, but it lifted a weight off my shoulders which I didn’t even realise was there.
 Neighbourhood policing officers return scooter to schoolboy
Officers returned a beloved push scooter to a young boy after it was stolen as he made his way to school in Westcliff on Friday 14 November.
The youngster was travelling along Princes Road between 7.30am and 8.10am when a man walking in the opposite direction pushed him off the scooter and ran off carrying it over his shoulder.
While our Neighbourhood Policing Team officers were delighted to find the scooter, which had been dumped in a bush, they are hoping the public can help them identify the robber.
He is described as a white man, of stocky build, around 40 years old, with dark brown or black hair and light-coloured jogging trousers and a dark top.
 Clacton: “I nearly died twice. I know I’m lucky to be alive.”
A young motorcyclist spoke of the trauma he and his family have faced following a collision in Clacton which left him with serious injuries.
On Wednesday 12 November at Colchester Magistrates’ Court the driver of the car was jailed for eight months after previously pleading guilty to five driving offences including causing serious injury by careless driving and failing to stop.
On Wednesday 7 May 45-year-old Ryan Channing was driving his grey Audi A3 near his Wellesley Road home when he collided with a Kawasaki 125 motorbike, being ridden by Ryan Towler.
Channing ran home and when officers turned up at his home he was in bed and said he had not been out.
However officers’ early investigations and CCTV checks revealed that Channing had left the property around the time of the collision and then returned home afterwards, changing his clothes and pretending to be asleep.
He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, causing serious injury by careless driving and failing to stop.
He initially denied the offences saying he had left his keys in his flat, but they were not there.
He was charged with causing serious injury by careless/inconsiderate driving, failure to stop after a road accident, failure to provide a specimen for analysis, no insurance and driving other than in accordance with a licence.
At the sentencing hearing he was also banned from driving for 32 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
 Officers use drone to arrest three and seize stolen vehicle parts
Watch as officers tackling vehicle theft in Castle Point and Rochford use tactics including a drone to make an arrest.
When we received a call reporting suspicious activity on an industrial estate in Rayleigh, officers swiftly put a plan into action.
On the evening of Wednesday 5 November, it became clear that there was a possibility of stolen vehicles being stripped down for parts.
A drone operator with our Operational Support Group provided overwatch and a clear view of the site in the hours of darkness.
This allowed officers to strike with precision, detaining three suspects. One was caught following a short foot chase.
A number of stripped car parts were recovered from a unit and the back of a van.
Further work confirmed three of the engines recovered were stolen.
Three men have been questioned and remain under investigation while enquiries continue.
 Thurrock: Four arrested following warrants
Four people were arrested after officers executed a series of warrants across the district of Thurrock.
A man in South Ockendon and a woman from Tilbury were arrested for failing to appear at court; a man in Purfleet was detained for breaching court bail in relation to a sexual offence, and a wanted juvenile was arrested in Tilbury on suspicion of car theft after a sharp-eyed officer spotted him on the streets.
Officers from Thurrock neighbourhood and local policing teams, and the Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Team (DAPST), worked together to hunt down the individuals.
Crime in Thurrock district is down by 9% in the past three years and anti-social behaviour has fallen by 34% in the same period.
 Brentwood: Two arrests and suspected stolen tools recovered
Two men have been arrested and power tools we believe have been stolen recovered thanks to quick acting officers.
We received a call reporting two people wearing balaclavas seen looking in vans near to the railway station in Warley Hill, Warley at around 12.50pm on 10 November.
They left the area in a vehicle which was then located by armed officers at Shenfield station.
One man got out of the car and made off but was arrested a short time later.
The vehicle itself then made off but was identified travelling down the M11 where it was brought to a stop by officers and the driver was arrested.
In the back of the car a large quantity of power tools that we believe were stolen were recovered.
A 35 year-old man from Camden was arrested on suspicion of theft from vehicle, interfering with a motor vehicle, and going equipped.
A 29 year-old man, also from Camden, was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft of a vehicle, handling stolen goods, going equipped, and interfering with a vehicle.
They have both since been released on bail until 9 February.
 Mayland: Driving and drug dealing arrest thanks to off-duty officer
A man's been arrested on suspicion of driving and drug dealing offences thanks to the quick thinking of an off-duty officer.
The officer spotted a vehicle in the Dengie early on Saturday 8 November which had been involved in an incident overnight where it vehicle had failed to stop for officers. It was also linked to the sale of drugs.
The officer called the vehicle in and our Dog Unit and Roads Policing officers responded, locating it in the Mayland area.
As a result a 20 year-old man from the Chelmsford area was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop when directed, drug driving, possession of cannabis, and possession with intent to supply nitrous oxide.
 Woman jailed for ignoring court order and continuing to steal
A Basildon shoplifter has been jailed for 20 months following an investigation by the neighbourhood policing team.
Basildon Crown Court heard that Kayleigh Adams, 38, of Lincoln Road, had ignored a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) imposed in May 2024 and a six-month suspended prison sentence, continuing to steal from BP garage shops in East Mayne and Nether Mayne plus the Morrisons Daily and Tesco Express stores in Felmores End.
In all, she was accused of stealing more than £2,500 of goods from the stores.
Adams was jailed for 14 months for her most recent thefts and the court also activated her suspended sentence, making a total of 20 months. The CBO will continue until 28 May 2026.
 Neighbourhood policing officers on alert for shoplifters
Our Business Crime Team is always exploring smarter ways to work with businesses to tackle retail crime.
And a new app will make it easier for our business crime officers and neighbourhood policing teams to link in with retailers and other businesses to identify suspects, share information quickly, identifying emerging theft trends and prevent losses.
The Alert app is already available to retailers with 19 schemes up and running across Essex. And now it’s been authorised for use on Essex Police devices.
 Man disqualified from driving following collision
A man has been disqualified from driving after failing to provide a breath specimen following a collision on the A13 near South Ockendon.
Shortly after 8pm on Sunday 8 June, a roads policing officer was deployed to the A13 close to the junction with the M25 following reports of a two-vehicle collision.
Emergency services, including fire and ambulance crews, were already in attendance when police arrived, and two of the four lanes were closed to allow emergency responders to work safely.
A Ford KA was found overturned on its roof, having reportedly struck a van.
The driver was located in a nearby ambulance and told officers he was returning home from a day out.
He was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment related to the collision and left in the care of medical staff.
The driver, Daniel Shorey, 45, of Highfield Road, Romford, was later reported for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 4 November, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
Shorey was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 18 months, with the ban to be reduced by 18 weeks upon completion of an approved driving course. He was also ordered to pay court costs.
 Helping Essex businesses to stay safe
Our Business Crime Team run workshops to help hospitality and retail staff deal with conflict at work.
They’ve delivered sessions all over the county, some in partnership with the Essex Chambers of Commerce.
The sessions offer practical advice on spotting signs of trouble early, staying safe and using communication to calm tense situations. They also offer businesses the opportunity to raise concerns, seek advice and access bespoke crime prevention support.
Officers also talk about signs which indicate a person might be a victim of domestic abuse. Staff are shown how to approach a potential victim, check they are ok, and talk to them about where they can get help.
 £75,000 of illegal tobacco and vapes seized in Essex high street crackdown
A major multi-agency operation targeting the illegal trade of tobacco and vape products has led to over £75,000 worth of goods seized from Essex businesses.
As part of Operation Machinize, Essex Trading Standards has been working alongside Essex Police, Border Force, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Department of Work and Pensions and the National Crime Agency to disrupt organised crime networks exploiting high street businesses.
Throughout October, officers visited 36 premises across Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Chelmsford, Basildon and Braintree.
Illegal tobacco was found at more than 30 locations, while non-compliant single use vapes were seized at 18 addresses.
 Look. Listen. Be aware.
If you know an older person who has become more withdrawn, anxious, or less confident, it could be a sign they are in an unhealthy relationship. You don’t have to solve everything, just knowing where to find information can help you respond and understand.
Find out where to get confidential advice about domestic abuse in later life.
 Supporting safer businesses across Essex
It’s Safer Business Action Week and we’re taking the opportunity to highlight the work of our dedicated Business Crime Team.
These specialist officers work year-round to support local businesses in our communities, helping them to prevent crime and protect staff and customers.
One area of focus is shop theft. Sergeant Christian Denning appeared on BBC Crimewatch Live recently to talk about how Essex Police officers are tackling shop theft across the county.
Christian told presenters Rav Wilding and Jennifer Reoch how our officers are targeting opportunists, repeat offenders and organised gangs by
- fast-tracking charges and court appearances
- mandatory drug tests in custody for suspects
- criminal behaviour orders to ban known shoplifters from stores
- advising retailers about smarter store layouts and safeguarding staff
 Operation Drive Insured
In 2022, Essex Police seized 2,957 uninsured vehicles. That number rose to 3,580 in 2023, and again to 4,365 in 2024. With 2025 not yet over, the current total has already surpassed last year’s figure – highlighting the scale of the issue and the proactive work being done to tackle it.
Our work continued during a week-long national campaign to target uninsured vehicles under Operation Drive Insured starting on Monday 10 November.
Our message is clear: driving without insurance is not only illegal, but also dangerous and we will continue to take robust action to ensure that everyone who uses the roads does so legally and responsibly.
Driving without insurance carries serious legal and financial penalties.
Consequences can include:
- Fines and penalty points
- Vehicle seizure
- Driving bans
- Court prosecution
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 17 November
10am to 11am
Lidl Supermarket, A133, Clacton on Sea
3pm to 4pm
Havens, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff
Tuesday 18 November
9:30am to 12pm
Broomfield Hospital Atrium, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton
10am to 11am
Wimpole Road Church, 49 Wimpole Road, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2DN
10:30am to 11:30am
Corringham library, St Johns Way
2pm to 3pm
Sainsbury's Supermarket, Samson's Road, Brightlingsea
2:45pm to 4pm
The Companions Cafe, Coastlands Community Centre, 13 High Street, Walton on the Naze
5pm to 6pm
Tesco, Leigh Broadway, Leigh
Wednesday 19 November
10am to 11am
Walton Community Forum, High Street, Walton on the Naze
10am to 11am
Manningtree Library, High Street, Manningtree
10am to 11am
Asda Supermarket, Bull Hill Road, Clacton on Sea
10am to 2pm
Broomfield Hospital Atrium, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
10am to 12pm
Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton
10am to 2pm
Safe to go Stow hub, 28 The Stow, Harlow
10:15am to 12:30pm
Great Parndon Community Centre, Abercrombie Way, Harlow
10am to 1pm
Outside Morrisons, London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet
2:30pm to 4pm
The Weeley WI at the Weeley Village Hall, Old Clacton Road, Weeley
Thursday 20 November
10am to 12pm
Touchpoint, Crafton Green, Stansted
10am to 11am
Purleigh Cricket Club, Pavilion, Wells, Howe Green Road, Chelmsford CM3 6PE
10am to 12pm
Touchpoint, Chapel Hill, Stansted
11am to 12pm
Woodham Walter Village Hall, Rectory Road, Woodham Walter, Maldon CM9 6RE
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee, 8 High Street, Chelmsford CM1 1BE
3pm to 4pm
Outside the Library, London Road, South Benfleet, Benfleet
3pm to 4pm
Outside Co-Op, Bush Fair, Harlow
3pm to 4pm
Outside the Library, London Road, South Benfleet
Friday 21 November
9am to 10am
Coffee Wagon, Tanton Road, Flitch Green
9am to 10am
Flitch Green Coffee Wagon, Tanton Road
10am to 12pm
Ongar Library, The Pleasance, High Street, Chipping Ongar, Ongar
10am to 11am
Tesco, Princes Road, Chelmsford CM2 9XW
10am to 11am
Oasis cafe, Orsett church centre, High Road
10:30am to 11:30am
Ashfields, Green Street, Great Canfield
10:30am to 11:30am
Morrisons Supermarket, Waterglade Retail Park, Old Road, Clacton on Sea
11am to 1pm
Outside M&S, 43-45 High Street, Brentwood
11:45am to 12:45pm
Old School Community Café, Dunmow Road, Takeley
2pm to 4pm
Shalford Village Village Hall
3pm to 4pm
Outside Knightswick centre - Furtherwick Road Canvey Island
Saturday 22 November
10:30am to 12pm
Saint Peter And St. Paul, Orsett Road, Horndon on The Hill
11am to 1pm
The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh SS6 7ED
11am to 1pm
Wickes Chelmsford, Waterhouse Business Centre, 1 Baynes Place, Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
Co-op, Flitch Green
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Check you've locked your vehicle
This may seem obvious, but a large proportion of thefts would appear to be from unlocked vehicles.
Always check the vehicle is locked and the windows are up after using a key fob. Listen for the locking noise and watch for the lights to flash, or where fitted, mirrors folding.
This can also provide reassurance that criminals have not blocked the locking signal from your fob using a jammer.
Be fraud smart
Black Friday bargains?
With Black Friday around the corner, criminals will create fake websites advertising products at rock-bottom prices that never materialise.
If in doubt don’t click on the link, instead search for the organisation and take some time to read the entries on the results page to check it is genuine.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Vehicle Technician £38,754
Crime Scene Investigators £27,204
Contact Centre Officers £27,204 to £29,859
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Colin Stockwell
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Colin Stockwell who retired as a Constable in 1989 and served as a Cadet prior to National Service then Maldon, Grays, Rayleigh, Rochford, Gt Wakering and Shoeburyness. He passed away on the 20 October 2025 aged 87 years.
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