News 4 March to 10 March
Our search for missing woman Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto is continuing with a number of police specialisms involved.
The 30-year-old Brazilian was reported as missing to us on Wednesday 4 March by a friend who she had been with at Essex University on the previous day, Tuesday 3 March.
As a result of our investigative work, we know that after she met with her friend she got on the number 87 bus in Boundary Road, Wivenhoe, just after 1pm and got off 30 minutes later in Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea.
Once off the bus, she was then seen on doorbell footage in the Hurst Green area shortly after 2.30pm.
We’re now able to release CCTV footage of her boarding and exiting the bus as well as footage of her in Hurst Green.
Vitoria was wearing a dark coat, a blue turtleneck jumper, light blue jeans and black trainers.
She was carrying a white shoulder tote bag with the words “people over profit”.
We are now able to confirm a bag matching that description has been located close to Copperas Road, in Brightlingsea.
Officers have uncovered a large‑scale cannabis grow following intelligence received from the community.
Inside the property, officers found five rooms converted for cultivation, containing hundreds of cannabis plants at various stages of growth along with specialist equipment. The building had poor ventilation, heavy condensation and mould throughout, and extensive unsafe wiring with evidence of electricity abstraction—creating a significant fire risk.
The plants seized have an estimated wholesale value of £62,000 to £115,000.
PC Mitchel Cooper said:
“Large‑scale cannabis production is closely linked to the exploitation of vulnerable people and to violence associated with drug supply. We act on the information you share with us, and we will continue to relentlessly target drug activity at every level across Tendring.”
 Twenty-Nine Arrests following latest Road Crime Deployments
Our officers carried out two nights of targeted activity in Epping, Harlow, Loughton, Colchester and Tendring, stopping 170 vehicles and making 29 arrests for offences including drug supply, weapons possession, assault and drug driving.
They also issued 64 traffic offence tickets and made 29 seizures. Working alongside Home Office Immigration Enforcement, officers completed 57 immigration checks, resulting in 18 arrests.
The work is helping to disrupt organised crime, safeguard vulnerable people and keep the road network safe.
 How we are Helping to Keep our Rural Communities Safe
Officers across Essex are continuing to make rural areas safer, with crime in rural communities falling by 5% over the past year - a reduction of 992 offences.
Burglaries, vehicle thefts, public order offences, shop thefts and criminal damage have all decreased, alongside a drop in violent crime.
Our dedicated Rural Engagement Team has carried out 167 visits to schools, parish councils, village events and agricultural shows, while neighbourhood teams have conducted hundreds more. This close engagement helps residents share valuable information, which in turn supports us to identify suspects, target crime hotspots and tackle issues such as hare coursing, uninsured vehicles and the theft of agricultural machinery. Officers continue to work with our rural communities and organisations to address emerging trends and ensure offenders face justice.
We encourage anyone with information about crime or anti‑social behaviour to report it, as even small details can help build the bigger picture and lead to action
 Marine Unit conducts joint patrol with Holbrook HM Coastguard Rescue Team
On Thursday 5 March, officers from our Marine Unit were joined on patrol in Harwich by volunteers from the Holbrook HM Coastguard Rescue Team.
The Marine Unit works closely with HM Coastguard, and this patrol provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen joint working and test how both teams support one another during search and rescue (SAR) incidents.
While on board the Essex Police RIB Sentinel, the teams responded to a report concerning the welfare of a man on the banks of the River Stour near Wrabness.
Officers went ashore, located the man, and checked on his welfare. They also provided safety advice about the dangers posed by rapidly changing tides.
We remind anyone visiting coastal or tidal areas to check tide times and remain aware of changing conditions. If you see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
 Arrests for Drug and Drink Driving Offences Rise Across Essex
Our officers have recorded a significant rise in arrests for drug and drink driving in February, with 348 motorists arrested compared with 259 during the same month last year.
This includes 89 drink‑driving arrests and 196 drug‑driving arrests.
Impaired driving (under the influence of alcohol or drugs) continues to be one of the biggest risks on the county’s roads, with even small amounts of alcohol or drugs affecting judgment and reaction times, leading to potentially life‑changing or fatal consequences.
Many drivers underestimate how long substances remain in their system. Anyone who chooses to drive while impaired should expect to be stopped and arrested.
Working with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, we are continuing targeted enforcement and patrols to keep people safe.
Anyone who suspects a driver to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs should contact us.
 Rogue Trader Patrols & Drink Drive Arrest
In response to several reports of rogue traders operating in the Tendring District, the Rural Engagement Team (RET) carried out proactive patrols along the A120 corridor to Harwich.
During the patrols, officers visited farms across Horsley Cross, Ramsey, Little Oakley, Thorpe, Frinton and Kirby. Farmers welcomed the engagement and expressed appreciation for the visible police presence on their land.
Later in the day, officers received a report of a vehicle being driven erratically in the Kirby area. Although the vehicle was not located initially, a second call shortly afterwards enabled officers to respond quickly. The vehicle was identified and stopped, and the female driver provided a positive roadside breath test.
She was arrested and taken into custody, where she later provided another positive reading. She will be charged once sober and is likely to face a significant driving ban.
We would like to thank the members of the public who reported their concerns. Your information plays a vital role in helping us keep the community safe. If you witness dangerous driving or suspicious activity, please continue to report it through the appropriate channels.
 Tendring Women’s Safety Charter Launched on International Women’s Day
A major step toward improving safety for women and girls in Tendring has been taken with the launch of the Tendring Women’s Safety Charter.
Unveiled at the Princes Theatre, the charter was developed by Tendring District Council with Brand Elect and women’s safety specialist Karen Whybro, funded by the Safer Streets programme. It follows extensive consultation in which women and girls shared experiences of feeling unsafe in public spaces.
Tendring District Commander Stuart Austin attended the launch, demonstrating policing support and the importance of partnership working.
The charter encourages businesses and organisations to create safer, more supportive environments for women. Those who sign up will receive free training and guidance to help staff recognise inappropriate behaviour, respond effectively, and uphold zero‑tolerance to harassment.
The first training session takes place on Thursday 13 March at 9am at Clacton Town Hall, with further sessions scheduled throughout the year. A wider public launch is planned for later in 2026.
 Suspicious Activity Leads to Recovery of Motorbike
On Thursday 5 March, Clacton Police Community Support Officers were carrying out patrols in the Ellis Road area when they spotted two males behaving suspiciously. One was carrying a green jerry can, prompting the officers to take a closer look.
Trusting their instincts, the PCSOs returned to the area and discovered the motorbike shown in the photos. The two males had already left the scene, and the bike had no visible index or identifiable VIN number.
The motorbike was recovered and taken to Clacton Police Station for further checks.
If you recognise the bike or have any information that could help our enquiries, please contact us quoting the date and location.
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