News 27 April to 3 May
 Chief Constable announces retirement
Chief Constable BJ Harrington has announced that he will be retiring from Essex Police.
The announcement brings to end a proud 36-year career in policing, which began in 1990 in the Metropolitan Police.
In 2017, Chief Constable Harrington joined Essex Police on secondment as Deputy Chief Constable. He remained in our vibrant county and proud force since then, becoming Chief Constable in 2018.
Reflecting on his time at the helm of the 186-year-old constabulary, he said:
“Being Chief Constable of Essex Police has been so much more than a job, for the last eight years this force has been my life and my family.
“The role of Chief Constable is an honour and privilege: leading the most committed, and brave officers who, every day, run towards danger, without second thought; leading the most dedicated police staff who go above and beyond every day without question; leading the volunteers who give up their own time for the greater good of our communities.
“In the last eight years we have achieved so much: preventing, reducing crime and solving more crime; helping victims; using technology and innovation; relentlessly pursuing the bad guys and locking them up; growing and reshaping our force to ensure we are fit for the challenges of now and the future; and, the single most important part of our oath, protecting and serving the people of Essex.
“I am so proud of all we have achieved and I’m so grateful to all in Essex Police, our fire and ambulance colleagues, our partners in local government and voluntary and community sectors and our PFCC Roger Hirst.
“But most of all I am grateful to you – the people of Essex. I came to this county having grown up in North London, but over the years Essex has secured the most special place in my heart.
“It’s a county that is vibrant, diverse and full of brilliant people – people who make it so unique. My thanks to all of the people of Essex for your support and I know you will continue to get behind Essex Police, thank you.”
Urban exploring can feel exciting but getting on to rooftops or into abandoned buildings is far more dangerous than it looks, say police in Colchester.
“We’re hearing of incidents where self-styled ‘roof-runners’ or ‘urban explorers’ have been spotted on roofs but they have not been reported to police.
“If someone is seen on a roof, it’s treated as an emergency and a safeguarding issue because of the risks involved.
“In such instances, our priority is protecting life and preventing harm. A small slip or an unstable surface can lead to serious injury or death.
“We urge anyone who sees someone on a roof or in a dangerous place to call 999 immediately. Please don’t delay and don’t assume someone else has called.”
Inspector Martin Willsher, Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Team
 Loughton: Man charged after armed arrest
A man has been charged with a series of offences after being arrested by armed officers in Loughton.
It comes as part of an ongoing investigation by our serious and organised crime unit into the supply of Class A drugs in Essex.
The arrest was carried out on Wednesday 29 April as part of a strike co-ordinated by our armed officers in Alderton Hill.
Searches were then carried out in a vehicle in which the man was travelling and his home address.
Among the items seized were a handgun, ammunition, four blades, significant quantities of Class A drugs, cash as well as a number of electronic devices.
Rocco Coakley, 22, of Clays Lane, Loughton, has been charged with:
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of ammunition
- Being concerned in supply of cocaine
- Being concerned in supply of ketamine
- Possession of a bladed article; and
- Possession of criminal property
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30 April and was remanded into custody until a next hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 25 May.
Three other people who were also arrested have been released on conditional bail whilst the investigation continues.
 Brentwood: Driver jailed for serious collision caused by fly-tipping
A cyclist in his 60s suffered life‑threatening head injuries after colliding with fly‑tipped rubbish in Lincolns Lane, Brentwood, on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 September 2024. A delivery driver discovered the scene, with debris covering much of the road and the cyclist lying injured beside his bike, and immediately called 999. Investigations found the cyclist had struck dumped waste containing a piece of asbestos with a protruding nail, which punctured and split his front tyre, causing him to fall and hit his head. He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.
Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit traced the fly‑tipping to a hired tipper lorry using CCTV and dashcam footage, identifying the driver as Craig Frewin, 36, of Good Easter. Vehicle data showed he had dumped the waste just hours before the collision. Frewin was arrested in December 2024 and later pleaded guilty to causing danger to road users. He was jailed for 16 months at Southend Crown Court on Thursday 30 April.
 Southend: Banned drug driver jailed for 20 years over fatal collision
A drug dealer who drove while high on heroin and crack cocaine has been jailed for more than 20 years after causing a fatal crash in Southend. Lee Rance, 44, was driving a Mini Cooper along the A1159 late on Tuesday 20 May last year when he sped away after a police officer attempted to stop him. Moments later, the car collided with a tree, leaving his passenger, 37‑year‑old Carly Hicks, with catastrophic injuries. She later died in hospital.
An investigation found Rance was disqualified from driving and had taken a combination of drugs, including cocaine, morphine and methadone, before getting behind the wheel. Officers also recovered Class A drugs, a prohibited firearm and evidence of drug supply from the car. Following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, Rance was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, firearm offences and drug supply, and on Thursday 30 April was sentenced to 20 years and three months in prison, with a further 10‑year driving ban on release.
 Overloaded vehicle stopped after leaving car boot sale
Officers have issued a road safety reminder after stopping a heavily overloaded car leaving a car boot sale, complete with an unsecured roof load stacked high and topped with a large pink unicorn. While eye‑catching, the load raised serious safety concerns, as overloaded vehicles can take longer to stop, be harder to steer, increase the risk of items falling into the road, and put extra strain on tyres and suspension. Roof loads also raise a vehicle’s centre of gravity, increasing the risk of losing control.
Further checks revealed multiple defects, including an expired MOT, unsecured roof items, a taped headlight, a bumper held by a bungee cord, a missing front number plate, only one working brake light, and the driver not wearing a seatbelt. Officers are urging drivers to always check weight limits, secure loads properly, avoid stacking items too high, and make multiple trips if needed. While the stop raised a few smiles, the message is clear: if it looks like too much, it probably is, and road safety enforcement is about preventing harm and keeping everyone safe.
 Kelvedon: Man jailed for fatal A12 crash while using social media
A man who caused the death of a father while watching social media videos as he drove on the A12 has been jailed for eight years. Ismaeel Malik, 22, was driving a black Mercedes on Tuesday 22 October 2024 when he collided at speed with a stationary VW Polo near Kelvedon, killing 58-year-old Norman Case. Phone analysis showed Malik had been using TikTok repeatedly during his journey, with videos playing continuously at the time of the crash while he was travelling at 70mph.
Emergency services attended the scene but Mr Case tragically died there. Malik was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving and pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court. On Wednesday 29 April, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, will serve two‑thirds of the term in custody, and was disqualified from driving for ten years and four months.
Residents in Wickford can expect to see an increased police presence on the High Street and in the town’s green spaces following a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour.
The Neighbourhood Policing Team initially received reports of catapults being used to damage property and cars. This was followed by incidents of wildlife being intentionally killed or injured.
Alongside this, the NPT have been dealing with illegal quad and e-bike use on the roads and in parks, which has led to multiple seizures.
The additional patrols have been financed through the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Streets fund and will focus on the town’s main shopping area as well as Cranfield Park, the recreation ground on Nevondon Road, Wickford Memorial Park, and Runwell Park.
 Hare coursing: Tell us what you know
Our officers are working closely with farmers, landowners and partner agencies after a rise in hare coursing and related crime across the Uttlesford district during 2025.
While the long‑term trend since 2018 has been a drop in reported hare coursing incidents in both Uttlesford and across Essex as a whole, last year saw an increase.
This reflected a national rise and was largely linked to the hot, dry summer and early harvest, which left fields flat and bare for longer – ideal conditions for hare coursing.
Inspector Phil Jackson, of Uttlesford Neighbourhood Policing Team, says his officers and our Rural Engagement Team are already engaging with local farmers, residents and landowners ahead of the new hare coursing season.
 Colchester: Firearms officers recover stolen vehicle and arrest teenage boy
Specialist Essex Police firearms officers have recovered a stolen car and arrested a teenage boy in Colchester.
Officers from our Force Support Unit were alerted to a Ford Puma in the Maldon Road area at around 11.20pm on Saturday 25 April which was believed to have been stolen.
The vehicle failed to stop for them and a short pursuit entailed.
The car stopped, and the people inside got out and ran off into nearby woodland.
The firearms officers carried out a search of the area which led to a 17 year-old boy from Colchester being arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop when directed, possession of a knife, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without insurance.
He has since been released on bail until 20 July.
 Shoplifter banned from all Essex Co-op stores for 18 months
A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering any Co-op store in Essex for 18 months.
The ban is part of an 18-month community order Colchester magistrates imposed on 35-year-old Kane Lewis after he admitted a string of shoplifting offences committed across Essex.
The court heard on 27 April how Lewis, of no fixed address, targeted Co-op stores in Colchester, Ingatestone, Manningtree, West Bergholt and Witham, plus a BP garage in Colchester and Poplar Nurseries in Marks Tey.
He admitted 27 counts of shop theft, totalling £4,026.54 of goods, including chocolate, laundry products and perfume, between 2 December 2025 and 14 March 2026.
He was arrested by a roads policing officer who spotted him driving in Cymbeline Way, Colchester, three days after his last theft, and knew he was wanted for a number of shop thefts.
Lewis was also ordered to undertake six months of drug rehabilitation, to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity and to pay £300 compensation.
Two men have admitted to dealing drugs in the Braintree area after an investigation by neighbourhood policing officers.
Enver Jroui, 21, was spotted in Albert Road, Braintree, on 23 April by sharp-eyed plain-clothes officers on patrol who recognised him as matching the description of someone who had been seen supplying drugs.
During a search, they found bags of cocaine in his jacket pocket, and messages on his phone consistent with drug supply.
Further inquiries led them to a property in nearby Wickham Crescent, where more drugs, £1,420 in cash and another phone, again containing messages consistent with drug supply, were seized. Gejdi Najdo, also 21, was arrested there.
Both men pleaded guilty to a number of charges when they appeared before Chelmsford magistrates on 25 April.
They both admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Najdo, of no fixed address, also pleaded guilty to using or having possession of criminal property, namely £960 in cash, while Jroui, of Wickham Crescent, admitted a similar charge, involving £460 in cash.
The pair were remanded in custody by the court, pending a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court during the week beginning 25 May 2026.
 Van thief jailed within 48 hours after Maldon theft and cross‑border police work
Close work between Essex Police and Metropolitan Police led to the rapid arrest and conviction of van thief Anthony Lee within 48 hours of the offence. Lee, 29, stole the vehicle from outside a shop on Maldon High Street on Tuesday 14 April after the owner briefly stepped away. Thanks to the victim’s prompt 999 call, officers quickly identified the vehicle and began pursuing it as Lee fled towards London.
During the pursuit, Lee drove dangerously across the M25 and M11, narrowly avoiding collisions, driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic, and endangering pedestrians before abandoning the van and attempting to escape on foot. He was tracked by a police helicopter and arrested, later being charged with aggravated vehicle taking and other driving offences. Appearing in court on Thursday 16 April, Lee was jailed for 12 months, ordered to pay £500 compensation, and disqualified from driving for a further 18 months.
 Epping: Man jailed for deliberately starting two fires
A man who set fire to rooms in two separate hotels where he was staying has been jailed for eight and-a-half years thanks to an investigation by our officers.
Fires were reported in a room at The Phoenix hotel on 28 March last year, and then at The Bell hotel on 5 April.
Working with the fire service, our officers established there were multiple seats of fire in both rooms.
Officers established similarities between the two fires and that the same person was staying in each room – Rawand Abdulrahman.
Due to these links the fires were treated as arson and the 37 year-old was arrested and he was later charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
He denied the offences and was instead convicted of two counts of arson reckless as to whether life is endangered on Friday 20 March following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
At the same court on Friday 24 April he was sentenced to a total of eight and-a-half years.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Let’s Talk events are informal drop‑in sessions where you can chat with local police officers about what matters to you. Whether it's neighbourhood concerns, local priorities or questions about policing in your area.
There’s no need to book and no pressure to stay, you can just stop by for a quick conversation.
To find a Let’s Talk event happening near you, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
 Crime prevention advice
Keep Your Shed Safe
Sheds and garages often store valuable items like bikes and tools. These can be easy targets for thieves.
- Always lock your shed or garage with a strong lock
- Mark tools and bikes with your postcode and take photos
- Anchor valuable items to a wall or floor
- Use sensor lights and keep gardens well lit
- Lock gates and store ladders and bins away
Small steps can help protect your property and reduce the risk of theft.
Be fraud smart
A Simple Way to Keep Your Online Accounts Safe
Enabling 2‑step verification (also called 2SV) helps keep criminals out of your accounts, even if they manage to guess or steal your password.
It works by asking for a second check when you sign in, such as a code sent to your phone or an approval in an app. This means that even if someone has your password, they still can’t get in without that extra step.
It only takes a few minutes to set up, but it adds a strong extra layer of protection to your email, social media and online shopping accounts.
Turning on 2‑step verification is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself online and reduce the risk of fraud.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Litigation Executive £42,612
Fraud Prevention Coordinator £33,603
Contact Centre Officers £27,204 to £29,859
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) £27,204 to £32,613
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
Herbert Bert Edward Charles Pegrum
Herbert served with Southend Borough Constabulary from 23 June 1932. He enlisted with the Royal Horse Artillery in 1924 serving in Egypt until 1931. He then worked as a labourer, married and then joined the Southend Force.
He was mobilised to the army on 1 December 1939, transferred to the Corps of Military Police and died from lymphatic leukemia, at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth on Tuesday 6 May 1941.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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