News 21 January to 27 January
 Monthly Message from Tendring District Commander
Although we are already a few weeks into the year, I would still like to wish you and your family a happy and safe New Year. This period often brings renewed focus, and that is certainly true for our teams here in Tendring.
Road safety remains one of our core priorities. It may not always make headlines, but our continued visibility and enforcement make a real difference. If our presence encourages even one driver to slow down or make safer choices, that is a meaningful outcome.
We are also maintaining our strong approach to tackling shoplifting in our town centres. Where evidence allows, we continue to charge offenders and apply for Criminal Behaviour Orders to reduce repeat offending. This protects businesses, supports staff, and helps keep our high streets welcoming and thriving.
Looking ahead, a major focus this year is the development of the new police station in Harwich, due to open in late 2026. This will be the first new station built in Essex in seventeen years. While some residents have questioned the need for a replacement, the current building is outdated, increasingly costly, and no longer suitable for modern policing. Investing in a new, efficient facility will help us deliver a better service and reinvest resources directly into frontline policing. I look forward to its opening in summer 2026 as a clear sign of our long‑term commitment to the district.
We ended 2025 positively, December 2025 was our best month for solving volume crime in nearly five years. This achievement reflects the dedication of our Local Policing and Neighbourhood Teams, supported by information from the public. Our message remains the same: whatever crime you report, we will investigate thoroughly and work to bring offenders to justice. Crime in Tendring is falling, and our detection rates continue to rise, progress we remain determined to build on.
It continues to be a privilege to lead the teams here in Tendring. They care deeply about the communities they serve and deliver excellent policing every day.
Chief Inspector Stuart Austin
 Provisional Driver Stopped and Vehicle Seized in Harwich
On Tuesday 20 January, during mobile patrols in Harwich, an officer from the Rural Engagement Team stopped a vehicle that was being driven without any lights on.
Checks revealed that the female driver only held a provisional licence and was not being supervised by an experienced driver, nor was she displaying L plates.
She was reported for driving otherwise than in accordance with the terms of her licence, as well as driving without insurance. The vehicle was seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.
Our officers continue to actively target vehicle‑related offences across Tendring and will take action against anyone who chooses to drive illegally or dangerously on our roads.
 Hotspot patrols lead to 278 arrests in nine months
Targeted patrols in 15 hotspot areas across Essex have led to 278 arrests and 606 stop searches over the past nine months under Operation Guardian.
Officers have carried out more than 22,400 hours of patrols, seizing 13 weapons and issuing 44 community resolutions. Council teams also supported this work with thousands of hours of patrols and youth outreach.
Hotspots include locations in Southend, Colchester, Chelmsford, Basildon, Harlow, Clacton, Braintree, Grays and Brentwood. By using data to deploy officers at the right times, we are preventing crime, protecting vulnerable people and acting quickly on suspicious behaviour.
Patrols have resulted in arrests for offences including assault, drug possession, theft, robbery, burglary and sexual assault. Officers also speak with local people about issues such as lighting, CCTV and anti-social behaviour to help improve safety.
Inspector Sharon Wyatt said strong partnerships with councils are key to making these areas safer and reducing opportunities for crime.
 2026: Chief Constable outlines plans to continue driving down crime
Essex Police is focused on solving more crime and giving victims the best possible service.
In 2025 the force solved 2,700 more crimes than the previous year, made more arrests and secured over 15,000 charges. The number of rapes and vehicle thefts solved has increased, and the team tackling online child abuse remains one of the strongest in the country. The force is also using new approaches to deal with emerging issues like deepfakes.
More officers are now on the frontline than in any similar force. Expanded Neighbourhood Policing Teams have almost doubled the number of charges since April.
The force is investing in keeping young people safe, preventing anti-social behaviour, improving public contact and speeding up justice through new processes.
Financial challenges continue because Essex Police receives relatively low central government funding.
The Chief Constable says difficult decisions will need to be made, which may affect police staff, but consultations are ongoing. He thanked staff for their dedication and said the aim is to keep driving down crime, protect victims and maintain a stable and effective service.
 Crackdown on criminals using our roads sees 11 arrests
Our Road Safety Team led a three‑day operation from 13 to 15 January which resulted in 11 arrests, the discovery of a stolen vehicle “chop shop” and the recovery of five stolen vehicles. Officers from across the force worked together to target people using our roads to commit crime, including transporting stolen goods, drugs and weapons or using vehicles to evade police.
Arrests included five for drug‑driving, five for vehicle theft, two for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and one for an immigration offence.
Officers also found two stolen vehicles in a chop shop linked to thefts in Coventry and Finchley, along with stolen number plates.
Three more stolen vehicles were recovered and ten others were seized for having no insurance or no valid driving licence. This forms part of our wider work to stop criminals using vehicles to commit crime, and we continue to encourage the public to report anything that doesn’t look right via our website, 101 or 999 in emergencies.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 29 January 10am to 11am Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary way, Little Clacton, CO16 9SB.
Thursday 29 January 10am to 11am The Brooklands Community Shop, 12 Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick, CO15 2JP.
Friday 30 January 10am to 11am McDonalds, Hartley Brook Road, Clacton on Sea, CO16 9FZ.
Sunday 1 February 2pm to 3pm Costa Coffee, Waterglade Retail Park, Next, Unit 3, Old Road, Clacton on Sea, CO15 1HX.
Tuesday 3 February 10am to 11am Morrisons Supermarket, Waterglade Retail Park, Old Road, Clacton on Sea, CO15 1HX.
Wednesday 4 February 10am to 11am Manningtree Library, High Street. Manningtree, CO11 1AD.
 Crime prevention advice
Keep Your Shed or Garage Safe and Secure
Sheds and garages often store high‑value items like bikes, lawnmowers and power tools, yet they’re not always secured as well as the home. Opportunistic burglars know this and frequently target outbuildings first, sometimes using the tools they find to break into the main property.
Start with the Basics
Check whether your home insurance covers items stored in sheds or outbuildings. Many policies don’t include them automatically.
Think Like a Thief
Inspect your shed or garage as if you were trying to break in. Fit a strong padlock with no exposed screws, and ensure the hinges can’t be removed. Secure any windows with mesh or grills, and keep the building locked at all times.
Consider an Alarm
A battery-operated shed alarm is an inexpensive but effective deterrent. These alarms activate when the door is opened or when movement is detected, sounding a loud siren.
Lock It, Hide It, or Mark It
Store tools and equipment in a lockable box or secure them with a chain. Fix bikes to a ground anchor or lockable stand inside the shed or garage. Cover valuable items with a blanket or sheet to keep them out of sight, and always close and lock the door, even if you’re nearby.
Mark your property with your name or postcode, use forensic marking products, and register serial-numbered items with Immobilise. A locksmith from the Master Locksmiths Association can advise on suitable security and assist with installation.
Top Items Commonly Stolen from Sheds
- Bikes
- Mowers
- Sports equipment
- Power tools
- Garden tools
Be fraud smart
Deepfakes may be fake, but their effects are not
A deepfake is when an image, video or voice has been changed or altered in some way using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or digital technology. It takes the idea of air brushing a photo to a whole new level.
Deepfakes can be used in a fun or helpful way, like making history lessons more exciting by bringing the past to life or help you talk to people in different languages. But it could also make it look like a famous person said something they didn’t or even change their clothes to make them look like they aren’t wearing anything.
Deepfakes can trick people, spread lies, and hurt others. They can be used in scams or to bully someone online. As technology advances it’s becoming harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Sometimes we can guess something is fake because it doesn’t match how the person usually acts or looks.
That’s why it’s important to talk to your children about deepfakes. Help them stay safe online by asking questions and thinking carefully about what they see and hear.
This why we have partnered with EE. You can find out more on their dedicated page. We are working together to help protect Essex children from online dangers.
So that fake… or real, you know the deal.
Save and report
Discovering that a deepfake image of your child is being shared can be distressing, especially if that image is of a private or intimate nature.
We have specially trained officers whose job is to listen, investigate, and help. They are here to support you and your child without judgement or fear.
It's important that if you discover an image, you believe shows child sexual abuse fake or real, do not screenshot or share it. Keep the original and report it to the police.
Sharing an image of this kind even if it's to ask for help, could be illegal. Save it and report. We will investigate, help get the image removed and seek to stop those causing harm.
You can also request for images to be removed. Find out more about this on the EE Phone Smart website.
Find out more about reporting deepfakes to us.
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
 Question
The dog next door is always barking, what can I do?
Answer
In the first instance, we would advise that you approach your neighbour directly in an attempt to resolve the situation. They may not be aware that it is happening. You should always ensure that any contact does not escalate the situation. If you have already tried this, the noise could amount to noise nuisance so, you should contact your local authority who will have a specific department to deal with such issues.
Unless there is any evidence of the dog being mistreated then the RSPCA will not be able to help. If you do believe that the dog is being mistreated, you can contact the RSPCA.
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