News 4 February to 10 February
 Clacton: Woman jailed for murder of James Self
A London woman has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering her partner at a hotel in Clacton.
Polly Murphy assaulted 47‑year‑old James Self during a prolonged attack at the Smugglers Cove Hotel on 8 November 2023. She waited 18 hours before calling for medical help, telling paramedics he may have a broken leg, despite the severe injuries he had suffered. James later died in hospital on 21 December 2023.
Following a detailed investigation and a guilty verdict at Chelmsford Crown Court in January, Murphy was sentenced on 4 February to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years.
Detectives highlighted the sustained physical and emotional abuse James endured and praised the coordinated efforts of officers, medical experts and prosecutors.
 “Drug driving continues to be an epidemic on our roads”
Twenty-two people were arrested in Basildon during a road safety operation targeting drink and drug drivers. Most tested positive for cannabis or cocaine, and officers also recorded speeding, vehicles with no MOT, and other offences.
The arrests were part of Operation Limit, which tackles impaired driving across Essex. Police warn drugs stay in the body longer than people think and can affect judgement and reaction times. They urge the public to report anyone suspected of drink or drug driving.
 Clacton: Eight-year Sexual Risk Order secured by Domestic Abuse team
A Clacton man has been given an eight‑year Sexual Risk Order following a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 21 January.
The order allows officers to monitor his devices, messages and internet use to protect the public. He must follow a number of strict conditions, including notifying police before using any internet‑enabled device, cloud storage, social media or encryption software.
He is also prohibited from deleting call or message data and must tell police before starting any intimate relationship. Officers will carry out regular and unannounced checks to make sure these conditions are being followed.
Sergeant Sonia Mirrington‑French from our Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Team said the order reflects extensive intelligence‑gathering and partnership work, and is an example of the proactive steps we take to tackle violence against women and girls in Essex.
 Meet Detective Inspector Emma Portfleet
Detective Inspector Emma Portfleet was recognised for her outstanding commitment to protecting vulnerable people through her work in the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT).
She led wellbeing and inclusivity initiatives for her team, including wellbeing days, office plants, “welfare fish”, games and emergency toiletries, creating a supportive environment for officers who regularly deal with challenging material.
Emma joined Essex Police in 2006, starting in community and response policing before becoming a detective focusing on public protection. Her work has included child abuse investigations, adult sexual assault cases and historic abuse inquiries.
Since 2022 she has led POLIT, helping safeguard children and supporting complex online investigations. She says welfare is central to her leadership approach, and she continues to champion innovation and share best practice nationally
 Rural Engagement Officers on Patrol in Tendring
Over the weekend, our Rural Engagement Officers have been out across the district carrying out high‑visibility patrols through Thorrington, Jaywick, Clacton, Holland, Thorpe‑le‑Soken, Kirby Cross, Frinton, Walton, and Weeley.
Throughout their patrols, several vehicles were stopped to ensure they were safe and compliant.
Officers stopped a vehicle in Frinton involving a car with no rear number plate. After checks were completed, the vehicle was found to be all in order, the plate had simply fallen off and was already due to be repaired.
These regular patrols help us stay connected with our communities, offering reassurance and ensuring our roads remain safe for everyone.
Essex Police pledge to cut crime as council tax precept agreed
Plans to continue reducing crime and strengthening neighbourhood policing have been endorsed following agreement on an increase to the council tax precept for Essex Police.
We’re grateful to taxpayers across the county for their continued support, which enables us to work harder to cut crime, protect victims and bring more offenders to justice. In 2025, we solved 2,700 more crimes than the previous year and increased the number of charges by 12 per cent. Members of the Police, Fire & Crime Panel have approved a £14.94 annual increase - equivalent to 29p a week- for a Band D property.
Our Chief Constable emphasised that Essex Police continues to rely on local funding, as we receive a smaller share of national policing funds compared to our size.
Rising unavoidable costs and our commitment to moving 39 more officers into neighbourhood policing mean tough choices are still required, including ongoing consultations affecting police staff. Despite financial pressures, we remain focused on tackling crime, supporting victims, and investing in visible policing across Essex.
 Operation targeting organised crime on road network results in 27 arrests
Our officers arrested 27 people during two deployments of an operation targeting organised crime on the roads.
Officers recovered suspected cocaine, seized stolen vehicles and took 16 more off the road. They also worked with Home Office officials to check delivery riders’ licences, insurance and right to work, making six immigration‑related arrests and bailing six others.
The operation aims to disrupt organised crime groups, safeguard vulnerable people and remove unsafe drivers and vehicles from Essex roads.
 PCSO's Weekend Patrol Leads to Arrest in Clacton
A great result by local PCSOs in Clacton was achieved during the weekend when, while travelling along Old Road in Clacton, PCSOs spotted a male wanted for eight theft offences.
After the male briefly disappeared from view, officers searched the area and located him hiding behind a car on a driveway, along with a quantity of suspected stolen goods. He was detained and arrested at the scene, and the property was seized.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the origin of the items. A strong, proactive piece of work from our local PCSOs helping to keep the community safe.
 Sergeant uses her experience to help others find their voice
A police sergeant has shared her personal story of surviving childhood sexual abuse in the hope of encouraging others to seek help.
She did not feel able to report the abuse until ten years later, when working for Essex Police, after a similar case helped her recognise she was a victim and that the blame lay solely with her abuser.
The support she received from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, colleagues and counselling services, including CARA, helped her through the process.
She later became a police officer to protect vulnerable people and now uses her lived experience to support victims with empathy and compassion.
She hopes that by speaking out during Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, others will feel strong enough to come forward. She says she is proud to serve the community and wants victims to know police will support them if they choose to report abuse.
 Call to surrender blank firing guns during month-long amnesty
We are supporting a four‑week amnesty from 2 to 27 February for five Bruni‑made blank‑firing guns that tests show can be converted into viable firearms, making them illegal to own. Anyone handing one in at police front counters in Grays, Southend, Chelmsford or Colchester will not be prosecuted and doesn’t need to give personal details. Officers say removing these guns helps prevent them falling into the wrong hands and urge anyone who has one—whether knowingly or forgotten at home—to surrender it before the amnesty ends.
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