News 29 April to 5 May
Chief Constable BJ Harrington has shared that he will be retiring from Essex Police after 36 years in policing. He joined the police in 1990 with the Metropolitan Police and came to Essex Police in 2017 as Deputy Chief Constable. He became Chief Constable in 2018 and has led the force for eight years.
He said it has been an honour to lead Essex Police and described the force as his life and family. He thanked officers, staff, volunteers, partners and the people of Essex for their support.
During his time as Chief Constable, crime in Essex has continued to fall. In the last year up to 31 March, there were 1,314 fewer crimes and 3,164 more crimes were solved, which is a rise of 15 per cent. More progress has also been made in solving serious crimes such as rape, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, burglary, vehicle theft and shoplifting.
Alongside his work in Essex, he has also held senior leadership roles in national policing. Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst will announce the process to find a new Chief Constable in due course.
 Our marine officers are working to keep the Essex coastline safe
Our marine officers have been working along the coastline to help keep people safe over the bank holiday weekend.
Officers spoke to people using personal watercraft, such as jet skis, and others visiting the coast, offering advice on water safety and local byelaws. Visits took place at several coastal locations including Clacton, Mersea Island, Southend and areas along the Rivers Colne and Blackwater.
Our focus is on education so people can enjoy the coast safely, but action will be taken if behaviour puts others at risk. These patrols are part of ongoing spring and summer work to reduce antisocial behaviour on and near the water.
Officers are reminding visitors to plan ahead, follow local rules, wear safety gear and check the weather and tides before heading out.
Detectives investigating a disturbance in which two people suffered stab wounds are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Two people have already been arrested in connection with the incident.
Officers were called to the St Osyth Hoilday Park on Beach Road, St Osyth just after midnight on Monday 4 May.
During the disturbance, two people suffered stab wounds. One person required hospital treatment but is not thought to be life changing or life threatening.
Detectives continue to investigate and would like to hear from anyone who has not yet spoken to us who may be a witness.
Anyone with information can contact us quoting incident 20 of Monday 4 May.
We joined seven other police forces in a three‑day operation to stop people using roads to carry out serious crime across county borders.
The work operation took place from 22 to 24 April and led to 85 arrests and 85 vehicles being taken off the road across eight force areas. Officers from Essex worked alongside teams from the Met, Surrey, Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Sussex and Hampshire, with help from police dogs and the police helicopter service.
In Essex, 15 people were arrested for offences including driving after taking drugs, stealing cars, and having strong illegal drugs to sell. Around a quarter of all vehicles seized were in Essex. Almost £11,000 in cash linked to crime was seized overall, with more than £5,000 taken in Essex under laws that allow police to take money linked to crime. An Essex roads policing inspector said the operation shows our commitment to stopping organised crime and keeping people safe by working with other forces.
Since the operation began, it has led to more than 2,700 arrests, over 1,200 vehicles seized, more than 300 weapons recovered and over £545,000 in cash taken.
 Tackling speeding on our roads
We’re continuing to listen to local concerns about speeding on our roads.
Speed is one of the biggest causes of serious injuries and deaths on the road. When drivers go too fast, they have less time to react and need a longer distance to stop. That makes collisions more likely and more serious.
During April, our officers carried out speed checks in areas where residents told us speeding was a worry. This included Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington.
More than 100 drivers were captured going over the speed limit. One driver in Elmstead Market was recorded doing 55mph on a 30mph road.
You tell us you feel reassured when speed checks take place near your homes, schools and places of work. These checks don’t just catch those speeding - they also encourage all road users to slow down and think about how they drive or ride.
Please keep reporting your concerns to us. It helps us know where to focus our patrols and keep roads safer for everyone.
It has been more than 60 days since Vitoria Barreto was reported missing and our focus remains on finding her.
Officers have carried out extensive searches since 4 March, using CCTV, information from the public and specialist support, covering land and coastline.
One line of enquiry is whether Vitoria took a boat from Brightlingsea, later found drifting near Bradwell. While this cannot yet be confirmed, the Bradwell area has been thoroughly searched.
We are asking residents in Bradwell and Brightlingsea to check sheds, garages and outbuildings where someone may have taken shelter.
International and digital enquiries are ongoing. Bank activity shows normal use up to 3 March, with later payments linked to pre‑planned subscriptions.
Anyone with information is asked to come forward.
Our officers stopped a dangerously overloaded car after it left a car boot sale, to highlight the risks of a vehicle carrying too much weight.
The vehicle had items stacked very high on the roof, including a large pink unicorn, which caught attention but showed a serious safety problem. Carrying too much weight can make a car harder to steer, slower to stop and more likely to lose control, with a risk of items falling into the road. We found that none of the roof items were secured.
The car’s MOT had run out months earlier, a headlight was taped on, the front bumper was held with a bungee cord, the front number plate was missing, only one brake light worked and the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
Our road policing officers are reminding drivers to check weight limits, spread and secure loads properly, avoid stacking too high and make more than one trip if needed. Stopping unsafe vehicles is about keeping everyone safe on the road.
Officers who work with rural communities carried out checks at Harwich International Port to help stop stolen farm and construction vehicles being taken out of the country.
Working with the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team, they searched lorries and containers waiting for North Sea ferries. During the operation, officers checked more than 200 lorries and containers and looked at 50 pieces of machinery. No stolen vehicles or equipment were found, but officers spoke to drivers about keeping vehicles secure and protecting their loads.
We know stolen machinery is sometimes shipped to Europe through ports, so these checks help disrupt crime and protect honest businesses. We are committed to tackling rural and organised crime, but we rely on information from the public and industry to help spot suspects, trace stolen machinery and prevent future crime.
If you have information, please report it to us.
 Supporting Health and Wellbeing in Clacton
Our Police Community Support Officers were at Clacton Town Hall on Wednesday 29 April for the Community Health and Wellbeing Fair.
The event was hosted by Tendring Primary Care Network and St James Surgery and helped local people find out about health services and support in the area, including help from local charities. We work closely with groups like these, and when we meet people who may need extra support, we can help by pointing them in the right direction.
Working together helps make sure people get the help they need and supports the wellbeing of our community.
 Clacton PCSO completes London Marathon
A huge congratulations to Clacton Police Community Support Officer, Stevie, who completed the London Marathon on 26 April, crossing the finish line in an impressive 06:17:55
This was Stevie’s first-ever marathon, all 26.2 miles and an especially remarkable achievement given that Stevie only started running in July 2025.
At the beginning of that journey, running 5k felt out of reach, making this milestone an inspiring example of determination, commitment and personal growth.
Reflecting on the day, Stevie said:
“It was an incredible experience from start to finish. The inspiration from the crowd and my fellow runners was unbelievable, everyone came together and supported one another.
"I didn’t even listen to music; it was purely the crowd and the atmosphere that carried me through. If I can do it, anyone can. It’s tough, but genuinely the best day and experience ever.”
The London Marathon is known for its incredible atmosphere, and Stevie’s achievement shows true determination, resilience and the power of community support.
A fantastic achievement - well done Stevie!
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
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
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
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.
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
|
