News 15 April to 21 April
We’ve welcomed four new police dogs, Alvin, Ava, Berny and Buzz, to the Essex Police Dog Section after they successfully completed their training.
Each police dog works closely with their handler as part of a dedicated team. This strong partnership allows them to respond quickly, day or night. At the pass‑out parade on the 17 April, the dogs and their handlers took part in demonstrations, giving guests a glimpse of the skills they’ve developed and the high standards they must meet before going on patrol.
While on duty, the teams support officers across Essex by helping to find missing people, search for suspects, recover evidence, and keep officers and the public safe. Police dogs are a vital part of modern policing - their speed, strength and sharp senses mean they can search large areas quickly and help prevent crime.
A big welcome to the newest members of the team as they begin their policing careers across Essex.
Stalking is a serious crime and we are taking action.
To mark National Stalking Awareness Week, 20-26 April, we’re highlighting the work underway across Essex to spot stalking early, support victims and prevent harm. This includes early police action, stronger use of Stalking Protection Orders, and close working with specialist support services.
We’re also tackling the behaviour behind stalking through the Reflect campaign, encouraging people to recognise the impact of their actions and seek help to change.
If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, support is available and you’re not alone.
Man admits 21 shop thefts following arrest
A Colchester man has admitted 21 counts of shop theft following his arrest by city neighbourhood policing officers.
Kian Hunwick, 24, was arrested in Goodey Close on 12 April and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he pleaded guilty to stealing from various Co-op and Budgens stores on 21 occasions between 8 March and 11 April 2026.
Hunwick was remanded on bail to appear before Colchester magistrates on 27 May, when he is due to be sentenced. His bail conditions are not to enter any Co-op store in Essex and not to enter Budgens in Drury Road, Colchester.
 Stanway: Man charged with attempted murder
A man will appear in court today charged with attempted murder.
An investigation was launched after a man was seriously injured in the Colchester area on Tuesday 14 April. He remains in hospital.
The 21-year-old from Colchester will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 April.
Officers are continuing to ask for the public’s help as they try to trace the movements of a car in Stanway.
We’re asking drivers who were in the Stanway area between 6.15am and 7am on the day to check their dash cam to see if they have captured footage of a black MG car, displaying registration LJ75OZY, on the morning of Tuesday 14 April.
We’d also ask residents and businesses to check CCTV and doorbell footage to see if they have captured anything.
If you have footage or information about this incident, then please get in contact with us.
 Six charges secured in drug supply investigation
Six charges have been authorised against a man following an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs in Colchester.
Officers from a number of policing teams continue to respond to recent incidents in the Greenstead area of the city.
As part of this work, and to disrupt drug supply believed to be driving wider issues such as anti social behaviour and violence, officers from our specialist Operation Raptor team entered an address on Thursday 16 April.
A 21-year-old man from Croydon was arrested and drugs, with an estimated street value of around £20,000, were seized along with £2,700 in cash.
Charges of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, have since been authorised. He is also charged with possessing criminal property.
The family of a man who died after a road collision in Manningtree have paid tribute to him, saying he lived life to the full.
Officers were called to Clacton Road at around 3.45pm on Wednesday 8 April after a crash involving a car and a motorcycle. Sadly, the rider died at the scene. He has been named as Lee Abbott, 48, from East Bergholt. His parents said he was a kind and thoughtful man who was much loved and will be deeply missed.
A second person on the motorcycle was taken to hospital with serious but stable injuries, and officers continue to appeal for witnesses or dashcam footage.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 23 April
11am to 12pm
Toast Culver Precinct
Tuesday 28 April
8am to 10am
Priory street church
10:30am to 11:30am
Toast Culver Precinct
 Crime prevention advice
If a door looks easy to force, it can attract unwanted attention. The good news is that a few simple upgrades can make a real difference in keeping your home secure.
- Door bars, such as London Bars or Birmingham Bars, help strengthen the door and frame, making it much harder to force open.
- A lock guard protects the keyhole from tampering and acts as a strong visual deterrent.
- If your door has a letterbox, a letterbox guard can stop thieves reaching in to grab keys or valuables.
- Make sure cat and dog flaps are secure too, as these can sometimes be targeted.
- If you’re replacing a door, look for security‑accredited products that meet British Standards and are recognised by insurers.
Small changes can have a big impact. If a door looks secure, burglars are far more likely to move on.
Be fraud smart
You can report scam text messages by simply forwarding the message to 7726 (it spells SPAM on your keypad).
The service is free, and reporting the message helps your mobile phone provider investigate where it came from and take action to block and stop the scam.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t click links or reply – forward it to 7726 and delete the message.
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
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