News 20 April to 26 April
 Response officers reunited with 95-year-old after head injury
When 95-year-old Roy Knights fell into the road in Chelmsford and hit his head, our response officers were quickly on the scene to give him first aid.
Roy was hospitalised with his injuries but, after treatment, he’s now back at home and doing well.
This week, Sergeant Vicki Glover, PC Chloe Winfield and PC Abbie Fox visited Roy and his family to check on his progress.
Roy had been involved in a minor bump when driving but as he got out of his car to exchange details with the other driver, he fell to the ground.
He was bleeding heavily but the team from Chelmsford Local Policing Team’s B Shift and members of the public came to his rescue and looked after him while they waited for an ambulance to take him to Broomfield Hospital.
Despite having 15 stitches in his head wound and suffering a nasty cut on his hand, Roy has made a great recovery and is in good spirits.
“It was so lovely to see Roy and his family again,” said Sgt Glover. “Roy is such an inspiration. I hope I’m as lively as him when I’m 95.
 HGV driver disqualified after drug driving collision in Grays
A lorry driver has had his licence revoked after admitting drug driving following a collision in Grays.
Shortly before 5pm on 2 September 2025, we received reports of a single‑vehicle collision on the A1089 Dock Approach Road, where a heavy goods vehicle had rolled over.
Officers attended the scene and spoke with the driver, who was being treated by ambulance colleagues at the time.
The driver passed a roadside breath test but failed a drug wipe, which returned a positive reading for cocaine. As a result, the driver was taken to hospital where a blood sample was obtained for further analysis.
Subsequent examination of the driver’s tachograph card showed that the vehicle was being driven at approximately 49mph at the time of the collision.
Analysis of the blood sample later confirmed the driver was almost five times over the legal limit for drugs.
Shane Houghton, 32, of Thames Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire, appeared at Southend‑on‑Sea Magistrates’ Court on 13 April, where he admitted drug driving.
He was sentenced to:
- 100 hours of unpaid work
- A two‑year driving disqualification
- Court costs
 Steven Savva and Naheem Hussein
Following an investigation by the Serious and Organised Crime Team, two men connected to the illegal supply of a firearm have been jailed for a total of 12 years.
Steven Savva, 61, was found to have supplied a loaded 9mm Luger pistol and over 50 rounds of ammunition to co-conspirator Naheem Hussain, 50. Although Savva denied his involvement, he was convicted after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
The investigation began after the suspected handover of the firearm in Duck Lane, Thornwood, in July 2023. Hussain was later stopped by armed officers while travelling in a taxi in High Road, Epping. A search revealed the pistol in a holster, loaded with three rounds, along with an additional 51 rounds of live ammunition. Hussain admitted possession of the firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to five years and eight months in June 2024.
Further evidence gathered after Hussain’s arrest linked the firearm directly back to Savva, leading to his arrest during a coordinated warrant execution in October 2023. Despite denying the charges, Savva was convicted and sentenced on 17 April.
 Officers recover £210,000 of stolen rural equipment using tracker data
Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team has recovered around £210,000 worth of stolen rural machinery after the effective use of tracker activation data and close coordination with supporting colleagues.
The team is investigating the theft of 5 John Deere Gators and one telehandler, which were tracked to the Maldon area following a high value rural business burglary in North Essex.
The stolen equipment was located and recovered on the morning of Tuesday 21 April, less than 12 hours after the theft was reported, after tracker data was activated and acted upon swiftly.
The utility vehicles, commonly used in farm and rural business settings, were all recovered with only minor damage, significantly reducing financial loss and disruption to the victims.
 Shoplifter jailed and banned from the town centre
A man arrested after handing himself in at Grays Police Station has been jailed for 16 weeks and banned from Grays town centre for three years.
Cameron Day, 37, knew Thurrock officers were looking for him at the time in connection with four shop thefts committed between November 2025 and March 2026.
On 10 April at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, Day, of Gorleston Road, Tottenham, admitted stealing £500 of meat from Tesco Express in Crammavill Street, Grays, £100 of boxes of chocolates from the Co-op in Stanford Le Hope High Street and £8 of hot food from Greggs in Grays High Street.
Magistrates jailed him for 16 weeks and also imposed a three-year criminal behaviour order.
 Silver End: A special celebration as garden village commemorates its centenary
Silver End is commemorating the centenary of its founding as a garden village this year and one Essex police officer has been a huge part of village life for more than half that time.
Derek Hopkins is Deputy Chief Officer of Essex Police Special Constabulary and a familiar and respected figure in the local community.
It was in this capacity he was invited by the parish council to attend Silver End’s 100th anniversary celebration on 17 April. He was accompanied by the force’s Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin, who grew up in the village and was inspired by Derek to join the Specials himself.
 Thurrock: Meet the District Commander, Chief Inspector Danny Barnes
Thurrock’s District Commander, Chief Inspector Danny Barnes, has revealed his top priorities as he begins his new role.
Ch Insp Barnes has spent his entire police career on the frontline, most recently serving as a local policing team Inspector in Basildon.
He says those experiences have shaped both his leadership and his approach to community policing and victim care.
“I’ve been with Essex Police for 27 years, all of which have been spent in response, specialist or community policing roles,” he said. “For 15 of those years, I worked as a sergeant, which is where I developed my leadership skills. That experience is something I’ll bring with me into this role as District Commander. I want to make a difference with the younger officers.”
Ch Insp Barnes said supporting officers and understanding the realities of frontline policing is central to his approach.
“Policing is incredibly varied,” he said. “Officers genuinely do run towards danger. One moment, they may be breaking the most awful news to someone about a loved one. At the next job, they could be faced with hostility or violence. Those are the things the public don’t always see, and I’m incredibly proud to supervise and lead officers who deal with that every day.”
 Loughton: Harlow burglar arrested 15 minutes after prison recall notice issued
A sharp-eyed police officer arrested a man in Loughton wanted for a recall to prison just 15 minutes after the recall notice was issued.
The 33-year-old Harlow man was arrested in Sandford Avenue on 15 April by an officer from our Raptor pro-active drugs team. He had been released from prison and failed to attend a probation appointment.
He was originally jailed last year, following an investigation by Epping Forest Neighbourhood Policing Team, for burgling the BP garage in The Broadway ten times and stealing meat valued at hundreds of pounds.
At the time, the neighbourhood policing team also obtained a criminal behaviour order banning the man from entering the BP garage and Boots in Langston Road, Loughton.
The court order, which runs until 31 October 2027, also requires him to be in possession of a form of payment – such as cash, credit or debit card – when entering any shop.
 Ready, set, sniff: four new police dogs join the team
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.
 Keeping Essex rivers and coastline safe this summer
Our Marine Unit has started spring and summer patrols along the Essex coastline to help reduce anti-social behaviour linked to personal watercraft.
Working with partners like harbour authorities, officers have been out on the River Blackwater and River Colne, speaking with people on the water, sharing safety advice, and enforcing local rules where needed.
As more people head out, our message is simple: enjoy Essex rivers and coastline responsibly and take safety seriously.
Please remember to:
- Check the weather and tides before setting off
- Wear safety equipment, including a life jacket
- Make sure your vessel is safe and follows the rules
- Call 999 in an emergency
 Tackling stalking by protecting victims and challenging harmful behaviour
Essex Police marked last week's National Stalking Awareness Week by raising awareness of stalking, highlighting the impact it has on victims, and reinforcing the range of support and preventative work taking place across the county.
Stalking demand in Essex continues to rise, with technology‑enabled and online behaviours now present in more than half of reported cases. Essex Police has strengthened early identification, enhanced digital investigation capability and increased the use of Stalking Protection Orders to intervene earlier and reduce the risk of escalation.
Victim safeguarding remains a priority, supported through close partnership working via the Southend and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership, specialist services and promotion of Clare’s Law to enable informed decision‑making and early help. Alongside enforcement, prevention is central to the response, including the Reflect campaign, which encourages individuals displaying harmful or controlling behaviours to recognise their impact and seek support to change. High‑risk cases are overseen through the Essex Stalking Intervention Panel, ensuring coordinated multi‑agency risk management across the county.
 Manningtree: Family pay tribute to man fatally injured in collision
The family of a man who was fatally injured in a collision pay tribute to him, saying he “lived life to the full”.
We were called to the scene of a collision involving a motorcycle and car in Clacton Road, Manningtree, at about 3.45pm on Wednesday 8 April.
The road was closed for several hours while emergency services worked at the scene.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics at the scene, the motorcyclist died.
Essex Police can now name him as Ipswich-born Lee Abbott, 48, from East Bergholt.
Lee was a keen motorcyclist since his young years when he first bought a track bike to ride off-road.
Lee’s parents, Jeff and Carol, explained
"He was a much-loved son, partner, brother, uncle and cousin and he lived life to the full.
"Lee always bought the present you didn't know you needed. He was always thoughtful and kind to everyone
"He will be truly missed by all that knew him."
A second person, the pillion passenger on the motorcycle, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
 Rochford: Stalker who sent threatening emails to women is jailed
A stalker who repeatedly breached restraining and stalking protection orders by sending threatening messages to two women has been jailed for nearly six years.
Jack Bolton‑Poole, 24, from Rochford, sent emails with death threats including messages titled “WE WILL KILL YOU” and “a life for a life”, as well as contacting one victim’s workplace and sharing personal details, causing both women to fear for their lives. He had previously received a suspended sentence in 2024 for stalking the same victims.
Police linked the emails to Bolton‑Poole’s home and arrested him in February 2025, uncovering further evidence on his laptop. Despite denying the offences initially, he admitted multiple stalking and harassment charges at Basildon Crown Court and later breached bail conditions by contacting a victim on Instagram.
After further charges and guilty pleas, Bolton‑Poole was sentenced on 17 April to five years and ten months in custody.
Witham: Man charged with assault
A man has appeared in court in connection with an assault in Witham.
On Sunday 12 April, shortly after 4.30pm, we were notified of a serious assault that occurred in the car park of Witham Town Football Club in Spa Road, Witham.
A teenage man was subjected to an assault involving a hammer whilst he was inside his vehicle. Two others were also injured.
Following an investigation, Levi Williams of no fixed address in Braintree was arrested and has been charged with multiple offences
- Attempted GBH
- 2 counts of common assault by beating
- Possession of an offensive weapon
- Criminal damage
- Possession of cannabis
- Driving whilst disqualified and no insurance.
The 19-year-old was remanded into police custody to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 14 April.
He will now appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 12 May.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted GBH and assisting an offender in connection with the investigation. He has been released on bail until the end of June whilst our enquiries continue.
 (From left to right): Raymond Nafrah, Jake Sultana and Emmanuel Nafrah
A Brentwood drug dealer has been jailed for more than five years following a long-running investigation by Essex Police’s Operation Raptor team. Raymond Nafrah, 34, ran a drugs line supplying heroin and crack cocaine with help from his brother Emmanuel, 31, and deputy Jake Sultana, 32, exploiting a vulnerable drug user by using his home to store and prepare drugs. Nafrah was arrested on 1 March 2023 after officers found him asleep in bed lying on the drugs phone, along with drug equipment and a knuckleduster.
Further evidence showed Nafrah left Sultana in charge while travelling abroad, with messages revealing threats of violence and exploitation. All three were convicted at Basildon Crown Court, with additional offences for Emmanuel Nafrah and Sultana. On 13 April, Raymond Nafrah was sentenced to five years and one month in prison, Emmanuel to three years, and Sultana to four years and five months.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 27 April
2pm to 4pm
Coffee Morning, McGrigor Hall, 85 Fourth Avenue, Frinton on Sea
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Broomfield Library, 180 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7AH
Tuesday 28 April
8am to 10am
Priory street church
10am to 11am
Kingscliff Shelter, opposite the Kingscliff Hotel, Kings Parade, Holland on Sea,
10:30am to 11:30am
Toast Culver Precinct
11am to 12pm
TESCO Southend Road, Wickford
4pm to 5pm
Springfield Library, St Augustine's Way, Springfield, Chelmsford CM1 6GX
Wednesday 29 April
10am to 2pm
Safe to go Stow hub, 28 The Stow, Harlow
10am to 11am
Brightlingsea Community Centre coffee morning, Lower Park Road,
10:30am to 12pm
Cheerful Chai, Angel Meadow, Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
Tilbury Hub, Civic Square
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silva Island Way, The Wick
3pm to 4pm
Outside Knightswick centre - Furtherwick Road Canvey Island
4pm to 5:30pm
Danbury Library, Main Road, Danbury, Chelmsford CM3 4NQ
Thursday 30 April
10am to 11am
Lidl Supermarket, A133, Clacton on Sea,
10am to 11am
The Brooklands Community Shop, 12 Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick,
10am to 11am
Purfleet Community Pantry & Cafe, 32 River Court, Centurion Way
10am to 11am
Walton Community forum, High Street, Walton on Naze,
10:30am to 11:30am
Greggs , Culver Square
1pm to 2pm
Impulse Leisure Cafe, Blackshots Lane, Grays
2pm to 3pm
St Andrews Church, Church Street, Colne Engaine
Friday 1 May
10am to 11am
Tesco Stores, Princes Road, Chelmsford CM2 9XW
Saturday 2 May
9am to 10am
Chelmsford Park Run, Central Park, CM2 0FQ
11am to 1pm
Chelmsford Indoor Market, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1LE
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Rayleigh High Street (Outside Boots), High Street, Rayleigh SS6 7EJ
4pm to 5pm
Outside Knightswick centre - Furtherwick Road Canvey Island
Sunday 3 May
10am to 11am
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Road, Hockley SS5 4BE
12pm to 1pm
Outside Nisa, London Road, South Benfleet, Benfleet
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Stay safe while you're out shopping
When you’re out shopping, a few simple steps can help keep you and your belongings safe.
Try to stay aware of what’s happening around you, especially in busy shops where it’s easy to get distracted. Keep bags zipped up and close to your body, avoid using outer pockets for valuables, and don’t leave phones, wallets or handbags unattended on chairs or in trolleys. If possible, only take what you need with you and keep valuables out of sight.
Small changes like these can make you far less appealing to opportunistic thieves.
Be fraud smart
Why do criminals use gift cards in scams?
Once they have the gift card number and PIN, the money can be spent instantly. There’s no buyer protection, no refund and it’s extremely difficult to trace.
Protect yourself:
- Only buy gift cards for people you genuinely know
- Never share gift card numbers or PINs with anyone
- If something feels off, stop, pause and double‑check
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Director of External Affairs and Corporate Communications
Police Community Support Officers £27,204 to £32,613
Contact Centre Officers £27,204 to £29,859
Detention Officers £36,399 to £39,135
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
William A Mann
William A Mann served with Essex County Constabulary from 6 June 1914. His police service lasted just 2 months before being recalled to the army at the outbreak of war. Gunner Willian Mann was deployed with 24th Headquarters Brigade, Royal Field Artillery when he met is death on 26 April, 1915.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
Nicky Smith
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Nicholas (Nicky) Smith who retired as a Constable and served with Suffolk Police for 9 years, transferred to Essex Police where he served at Halstead Gt Yeldham & Braintree for a further 18 years.
He passed away on April 12 2026 aged 57 years.
Christopher Jacob
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Christopher Jacob who retired as a Constable and served at Leigh on Sea, East Hanningfield, Colchester, H/Q’s Sports Club & Hockley.
He passed away on April 12 2026 aged 77 years.
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