News 4 March to 10 March
 Keeping people travelling home safe
On Friday 6th March, officers from Essex Police’s Braintree district partnered with Licensing Officers from Braintree District Council during a proactive licensing patrol.
This operation focused on identifying and addressing any unlicensed taxi activity across both Braintree and Witham. On this occasion, no unlicensed operators were identified, but eighteen licensed vehicles were stopped and checked to ensure full compliance with licensing requirements.
Checks included:
• Basic vehicle roadworthiness – tyres, lights, seatbelts, overall cleanliness
• Driver identification – ensuring drivers were clearly identifiable as licensed
• Card payment capability – now a mandatory requirement for licensed taxis
We’re pleased to report that no major issues were found, though one minor issue was highlighted and dealt with at the time.
If you want to raise an issue about a taxi or mini cab click the button below
Essex Police and Braintree District Council remain committed to public safety, supporting lawful licensed taxi services, and ensuring that everyone travelling in our community can do so safely and with confidence.
 Supporting Our Community: Fraud Prevention Session with Braintree MENCAP
This week, our Fraud Prevention Coordinator spent a brilliant few hours with the Braintree MENCAP group, talking all things fraud and scam prevention.
We covered a wide range of practical topics, including:
How to stay safe from scams and fraud
Understanding identity theft and using address‑stamp blockers to hide personal information on letters, packaging and documents before disposing of them
Protecting wallets and purses from pickpockets – including a demonstration of how using a simple bell can act as an alert
Spotting scam calls and the importance of never giving out personal information over the phone or by email
How to block nuisance callers – with hands‑on support using several of their mobile phones
It was a wonderfully diverse group, with people of different ages and a range of disabilities. I genuinely hope the guidance and demonstrations were clear and helpful for everyone. Their enthusiasm and appreciation meant a lot — and we are delighted to say we’ve already been invited back to speak with another MENCAP group in Colchester.
A big thank you to everyone who took part. Together, we’re helping make our community safer and more confident against fraud.
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Money seized from criminals funding cameras
Money seized from criminals has bought solar-powered trail cameras which our rural engagement officers are placing in rural crime hotspots to identify and deter crimes such as hare coursing, fly tipping and the theft of plant and machinery.
PC Luke Jones says the cameras provide clear, high quality footage to identify suspects and vehicles, while also giving victims valuable reassurance.
“Trail cameras are relatively cheap and easy to put up and, of course, they can monitor the area day and night,” says Luke.
“The footage is clear and good enough to be used as evidence. The cameras also provide us with valuable intelligence which can help us with problem solving and appropriate crime prevention advice.”
For more on this story, click below.
 Keeping our roads safe
1,030 speeding offences detected in two weeks of activity as drivers clocked at over 100mph
Roads policing officers have spent the past two weeks carrying out speed enforcement across North, South and West Essex, responding directly to community concerns, school safety issues and Op Vision Zero activity in Braintree and Colchester.
In total, 1,030 speeding offences were recorded, with the highest speed exceeding 100mph in a 70mph limit.
Enforcement took place in Chelmsford, Writtle, Witham and Brentwood, as well as on major routes including the A12 at Hatfield Peverel and Terling Hall, the A130, and the A13. Officers were also active across Basildon, Wickford, Rayleigh, Southend, Benfleet, Canvey and Hadleigh, alongside
targeted checks on roads such as Golden Jubilee Way, Bread and Cheese Hill and Maplin Way.
Op Vision Zero days of action covered communities in Braintree including Rayne Road, the A1053, Cressing Road and Black Notley, and Colchester, with activity in Boxted, Dedham, Heckfordbridge, Wakes Colne, Wormingford and Fordham. In West Essex, enforcement took place across
Epping Forest, Ongar, Harlow, Chigwell, Waltham Abbey, Ingatestone and surrounding areas, where one driver was recorded at 94mph in a 40mph limit.
Officers also supported Community Speed Watch volunteers, visited two school sites in Vange and Billericay, and spoke directly with residents across all areas. Many members of the public welcomed the enforcement, saying it made them feel safer and showed that local concerns were being
acted upon.
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