News 8 December to 14 December
 Innovative use of technology to detect tyre faults
Before setting off on a journey, most people don’t give their tyres a second thought. But the correct tyre temperature is crucial for overall vehicle safety, providing grip, handling, and correct performance.
A cold tyre can cause understeer (front wheels) or oversteer (rear tyres) while too hot means rapid wear and loss of traction as if the tyre is bald.
Our Commercial Vehicle Unit officers are road safety experts in the commercial world and routinely check the roadworthiness of lorries, including their tyres.
Previously done by eye, they are now using a handheld thermal imaging camera which detects temperature measurements, making it easier to detect tyre faults.
 Festive fun with our four-legged friends
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and fun - but for dogs, especially those in a new home, the festive season can bring hidden dangers.
From tempting treats to twinkling decorations, here’s how our dog handlers make sure their furry friends enjoy the holidays safely.
Create a calm retreat
The hustle and bustle of Christmas can overwhelm dogs. Set up a quiet space with a comfy bed and fresh water where they can escape the noise and excitement. This is especially important for puppies adjusting to new surroundings.
Deck the Halls - safely
Tinsel, ribbons, and baubles may look like toys but can cause choking or blockages if swallowed. Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias are festive favourites—but they’re poisonous to dogs. Secure your tree, avoid edible decorations, and keep electrical cords out of reach to prevent accidents.
Fire and candle precautions
Curious noses and wagging tails can easily knock over candles or get too close to open flames. Use flameless LED candles and guard fireplaces to avoid burns.
Foods to keep off the menu
Many Christmas treats are dangerous for dogs: they should avoid chocolate, fruit in mince pies and alcohol. If you want to share a festive nibble, stick to plain, lean turkey (no skin or bones) and simple vegetables like carrots or green beans—unseasoned and in moderation.
Wrapping hazards
Ribbons, string, and wrapping paper can cause digestive blockages if chewed. Clean up promptly after gift opening.
 'I will not let what happened define me': Woman speaks out after man jailed for sex assault
I will not let what happened to me define who I am. It is a part of my story, but not the end of it. I choose to keep fighting, to love more, and to rebuild the parts of myself that were broken.
A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison in his absence for sexually assaulting a woman in Colchester thanks to the work of detectives who tracked him down just hours after the incident.
Arjun Rajan, of Affleck Road in Colchester, was seen on city centre CCTV from about 12.30am on 24 July 2022 having driven there alone and parked in High Street, then walking to Head Street.
After 30 minutes, the 33-year-old saw the victim as she walked to get a taxi home. He continued to watch and follow her as she walked to the High Street before offering her a lift.
Believing he was a taxi driver the woman got into the car and Rajan drove away towards her home address, but he sexually assaulted her in the car before they arrived.
The woman told him to stop the car, and she walked the remaining journey home where she then disclosed what had happened and the police were alerted.
Our officers quickly identified Rajan and arrested him the same day.
He was later charged with sexual assault and first appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 14 July 2023, but subsequently left the country. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.
On Tuesday 7 October 2025 a jury found him guilty of the sexual assault in his absence and on 4 December he was sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as being added to the sex offenders’ register for life and being given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
 Basildon: Man sentenced to life in prison after 2024 attack
A Basildon man has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years after being convicted of murdering another man he attacked in a block of flats in 2024.
Codey Nolan 33, attacked 42-year-old Hassan Bousanguar in an address in the Riverview Centre in Vange on 4 May 2024, before Hassan was found injured in the communal hallway shortly afterwards.
Officers at the scene located the address from the trail of blood in the hallway, and found further evidence of the assault and struggle inside.
Despite fleeing the scene we located Nolan, formerly of Riverview in Vange, in Brighton on 9 May, brought him back to Essex and he was convicted and jailed for causing Hassan grievous bodily harm with intent in November 2024.
Sadly, as a result of his injuries, Hassan passed away in December 2024.
Officers worked tirelessly with medical experts to charge Nolan with his murder, and after a seven-day trial at Basildon Crown Court, a jury unanimously convicted him of that murder on Tuesday 9 December 2025 after deliberating for less than two-and-a-half hours.
On Wednesday 10 December, Her Honour Judge Samantha Leigh sentenced Nolan to life in prison with a minimum of 23 years.
 Basildon: Man jailed for voyeurism
A Basildon man was jailed for voyeurism after being arrested for the offence the previous day.
Police were told that a phone belonging to Adam O’Keeffe had been set to video record and was found hidden by the victim on Monday 1 December.
O’Keeffe realised his criminal behaviour had been spotted and at 3.30am on Tuesday 2 December he was arrested after attending Basildon police station. He provided a statement in which he refuted setting up the phone to secretly record and refused to answer any other questions.
Clear forensic evidence on electronic devices was found and O’Keeffe, of Berry Lane, Langdon Hills, was charged with one count of voyeurism.
The 38-year-old appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 3 December and admitted the offence.
Magistrates immediately jailed him for one year and put him on the sexual offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed down a two-year restraining order and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
 Essex road safety campaign makes significant impact in first week
Between 1 to 7 December, officers from teams across the force have been conducting targeted patrols and roadside checks across the county, focusing on deterring and detecting those who risk lives by driving under the influence.
During this initial phase, a total of 97 arrests were made with 61 of these linked directly to drug driving offences and 17 for drink driving offences.
The breakdown of figures shows an additional 9 drivers were found to be in charge of vehicles whilst unfit through drink or drugs and 5 drivers failed to provide a breath test.
 Five sentenced over Chelmsford Prison escape plot
Five individuals have been sentenced following a conspiracy to unlawfully release three prisoners from HMP Chelmsford. The scheme began when Junead Ahmed, awaiting sentencing for fraud, was mistakenly freed after the prison received a forged email appearing to be from the Royal Courts of Justice. The email contained convincing details, prompting staff to process Ahmed’s release. Subsequent emails attempted to secure the release of Adam Mohamed and Charlie Whittaker, but suspicions led to checks confirming the orders were fake.
An Essex Police investigation uncovered that Ahmed had been hiding at his wife Nazash Akhtar’s home, where he was arrested. Evidence linked Akhtar and Charlotte Whittaker, Charlie’s mother, to the plot, alongside communications arranging further escapes. The inquiry revealed that Aaryan Noor Ali, under Ahmed and Akhtar’s direction, created the fraudulent court orders and email address. All six individuals were charged with conspiracy to escape lawful custody.
 Not just ‘part of the job’: Man sentenced for knife attack on officers
That’s the message from one of our senior officers after an attacker armed with a knife seriously injured a policewoman in the line of duty.
Declan Diedrick left one officer with an injury to her face which required urgent hospital treatment in an attack in Harlow on 29 December 2023.
We received calls with concerns for the safety of Diedrick, 25, of no fixed abode, in Hull Grove on the evening of the incident, before the first two officers at the scene were made aware he was also in possession of the seven-inch serrated kitchen knife.
When they tried to get him to put it down, an altercation with the officers began and Diedrick stabbed one of them before being handcuffed on the floor as more officers arrived and a member of the public intervened.
Diedrick admitted wounding without intent and possession of bladed article in a public place at an earlier court hearing, however prosecution proceeded with trial where he denied further charges against him – he was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on 30 October 2025.
On 8 December at the same court, he was sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional three years on licence.
 Harwich: Shoplifter admits 21 shop thefts after neighbourhood policing team investigation
A Harwich shoplifter has admitted a series of shop thefts in the town after he was arrested by Tendring neighbourhood policing officers.
Perry Stearn, 33, of All Saints Close, had just stolen £115 of popular children’s toys from the B& M and Home Bargains stores in Parkeston when officers caught up with him in Williamsburg Avenue on 4 December, thanks to a call from a member of the public.
He was already wanted for a series of shop thefts dating back to 29 July 2025.
Following a swift but thorough investigation, Stearn was charged with 21 counts of shop theft involving more than £1,331.61 of meat, chocolate, washing liquid and toys, plus a selection of Advent calendars.
Thanks to CCTV footage and witness statements provided by the stores, Stearn pleaded guilty to all charges when he appeared before Chelmsford magistrates the following day.
He’s been remanded on conditional bail not to enter Argos, Asda, B&M Bargains, the Co-op, Home Bargains and Tesco shops in Harwich, until his next court appearance, due at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 7 January 2026.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 15 December
10am to 11am
McDonalds, Hartley Brook Road, Clacton on Sea
10am to 12pm
Walton Community Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on the Naze
11am to 12pm
Writtle Library, 45 The Green, Writtle, Chelmsford
11am to 11:30am
Kelvedon Sandwich Bar, High Street Kelvedon
Tuesday 16 December
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton
10am to 2pm
Broomfield Hospital Atrium, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
10am to 11am
Mcdonalds, Staple Tye, Harlow
10am to 12pm
Unity Hub, Eastgate Centre, Basildon,
10am to 12pm
Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton
10am to 10:30am
Owls Hill Tea Rooms, Terling
11am to 12pm
Waitrose, Fossetts Way, Southend
11am to 1pm
Outside Morrisons - Northwick Road, Canvey Island
11am to 12pm
Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT
12pm to 1pm
Everyone Active, The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims Hatch
3pm to 4pm
East Tilbury Hub, Princess Avenue, East Tilbury
Wednesday 17 December
10am to 11am, Church House, Newport
10am to 2pm
Safe to go Stow hub, 28 The Stow, Harlow
10:30am to 11:30am
Chelmsford Library, Chelmsford County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford CM1 1QH
11am to 12pm
Hardie Park Cafe, Hardie Road, Stanford-Le-Hope
3pm to 4pm
Outside Knightswick Centre, Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island
Thursday 18 December
10am to 12pm
Dementia Cafe, St Claire Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood
10am to 12pm
Touchpoint, Chapel Hill, Stansted
10am to 12pm
Touch Point, Crafton Green, Stansted
11am to 12pm
Fyfield Village Hall, Houchin Drive, Ongar
11am to 1pm
Chelmsford Indoor Market, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1LE
11am to 12pm
Wood Cottage Tea Room, Felsted
12pm to 2pm
Touch Point. Crafton Green, Stansted
1pm to 2pm
Takeley Park, Takeley
3pm to 4pm
Poundland, 43-45 Pier Avenue, Clacton on Sea
4pm to 5pm
Aldi, London Road, Westcliff
5pm to 6pm
McDonalds, 124 High Street, Hadleigh, Benfleet SS7 2PB
5pm to 6pm
124 High Street, Hadleigh, Benfleet
Friday 19 December
7am to 9am
Hockley Train Station, Station Road, Hockley Essex SS5 4BG
9am to 10am
Coffee Wagon, Tanton Road, Flitch Green
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Road, Hockley SS5 4BE
10am to 12pm
CVST Winter Warmer, YMCA, 55 High Street, Brightlingsea
10:30am to 11:30am
Ashfields, Green Street, Great Canfield
11am to 1pm
John Lewis & Partners, 50 Bond Street, Chelmsford CM1 1GD
11:45am to 12:45pm
Old School Community Café, Dunmow Road, Takeley
1pm to 3:30pm
High Street, Brentwood
Saturday 20 December
10am to 3pm
Braintree Market
10am to 3pm
Braintree town centre
10am to 11am
Manningtree Market, Marketplace, Manningtree
11:30am to 1:30pm
B&M, Airport Retail Park, Rochford Road, Rochford SS2 6FW
6pm to 7pm
Co-op, Flitch Green
Sunday 21 December
4pm to 5pm
Costa Coffee, Water Glade Retail Park, NEXT, Unit 3, Old Road, Clacton on Sea
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Help others feel safe
It might seem obvious, but there are some simple things we can do to help other people feel safer when they're out in public.
When walking behind someone, particularly at night, try to leave a good amount of distance between yourself and the person ahead of you.
Remember that the closer you are, the more threatening you might seem.
Be fraud smart
Delivery scam reminder
Have you received a text saying your delivery is delayed and asking you to click a link to rearrange? With so many of us snapping up bargains last week, fraudsters know this is a busy time for deliveries, and they’re ready to take advantage.
That link could ask for your personal details or even request payment to release your parcel.
Instead, go directly to the retailer’s official website or app to check your order status. Never share login details or payment information via an unknown link.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Information Security Officer £49,716
Intelligence Support Officer £27,492
Contact Centre Officers £27,204 to £29,859
Senior Digital Forensic Specialist £49,716
Detention Officers £32,644 to £35,830
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Gerald Norman Totterdell
Gerald joined Essex County Constabulary having previously worked as a clerk at Essex County Council in Chelmsford. He was a detective in Clacton when he was called up for service by the Royal Navy in August 1942. His brother Ronald has been in the Navy since he left Trinity Road School aged 16. He had spent three years in China but a near fatal illness forced his return to England. The two obtained a special permit to sail together.
Police Constable Gerald Norman Totterdell was killed on Thursday, 17th December 1942, along with his brother, Leading Telegraphist Ronald Gordon Totterdell, when a German U-boat torpedoed and sunk their 1,350 ton destroyer, H.M.S. Firedrake, in the north Atlantic.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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