News 6 May to 12 May
Detectives have charged two men following an investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other serious sexual offences.
Officers from Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate carried out coordinated searches at addresses in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree on Wednesday 6 May, during which two men were arrested.
We have since worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, and can now confirm that 57-year-old Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and 32-year-old Scott Drewitt-Barlow, both from Southwood Chase in Danbury, have been charged with multiple offences, including rape, sexual assault and modern slavery trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Both men are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 5 June and will remain in custody until that time.
Witham attempted murder investigation
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious incident in Witham. Police were called to Goda Close shortly before 5am on Thursday 7 May, where a woman was found with very serious injuries. She was taken to hospital for urgent treatment and remains in a serious but stable condition.
A 35-year-old man from the Witham area also suffered injuries and remains in hospital. He has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Detectives believe this was an isolated incident involving people known to each other and have reassured residents there is no wider risk to the community. Enquiries are continuing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police, quoting incident 128 of 7 May.
 (From left to right) Samet Eskisan, Oliver Alves, Billy Rowley, Finley Postill and Liam Biggs
County lines gang jailed after abuse of vulnerable victims
Five members of a county lines drugs gang operating in Braintree have been sentenced following a years‑long investigation by our Operation Raptor team.
The group ran a crack cocaine and heroin supply line known as the “Diamond” line and targeted two vulnerable men, taking over their homes, to use as bases for dealing drugs. This is also known as "Cuckooing". During the investigation, officers uncovered more than 50g of crack cocaine hidden behind a sink, worth thousands of pounds. Evidence also showed more than 3,700 drug advertising messages were sent to dozens of people, with around 1kg of crack cocaine and heroin supplied overall.
County lines offending relies on exploitation, coercion and intimidation. Victims are often isolated and wrongly seen as willing participants, when in reality they can suffer serious harm. In this case, offenders filmed and shared degrading abuse and violence, sometimes purely for their own entertainment. Those responsible received significant prison sentences, with the leading offenders jailed for the longest periods.
The victims have been safeguarded and continue to receive support, while we remain committed to pursuing those who exploit vulnerable people.
Detectives from Braintree CID have secured charges against a man in connection with a number of burglaries in Halstead.
We received a call at around 5.20pm on 9 May that an elderly resident had found a man inside their address in Chapel Street.
Officers responded, while we also received similar calls from people living in the Kings Road and Beridge Road areas.
A search was carried in the area and an hour after the initial call a man was arrested.
A 34-year-old man from Halstead has now been charged with three counts of burglary. He is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 8 June.
 Two jailed after counterfeit cash operation uncovered
Two men have been jailed after trying to print and distribute more than £2 million in fake £20 notes from a workshop in Wickford.
Officers uncovered a large-scale set-up during a warrant in April 2024, including printing machines, cutting tools and materials used to produce counterfeit money. Around £600,000 in fake notes were linked to the operation, with the ability to produce up to £2.7 million more.
Anthony Grimes and Paul Jones were arrested and later convicted of conspiracy to make counterfeit currency. On 5 May 2026, they were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court to five years and seven months, and four years and five months in prison.
We are focusing extra patrols in areas identified through data analysis as being at the highest risk of violence and anti‑social behaviour, to help people feel safer in their communities.
As part of our focus, our officers carried out more than 25,000 hours of high‑visibility patrols across Southend, Colchester, Chelmsford, Basildon, Harlow, Clacton, Braintree, Grays and Brentwood. This targeted approach has led to 353 arrests and contributed to a 13% reduction in anti‑social behaviour and an 11% fall in serious violence.
Alongside enforcement, we are working closely with local councils to improve things like lighting and CCTV in problem areas, making public spaces safer for those who live, work and visit Essex. By working closely with communities and having strong partnerships with council community safety colleagues, we can help deliver lasting solutions at a local level.
 New Marine Unit boat named in memory of Special Constable
We have welcomed a new boat, Toby Speller, into our Marine Unit to help keep our coastline and waterways safe.
The 42‑foot launch will patrol alongside our existing vessel Sentinel, covering around 350 miles of coastline from the Stour to the Thames. It is designed to operate in all weather, helping us respond to incidents at sea, on rivers and up to 12 miles offshore.
The boat is named in memory of Special Constable Toby Speller, honouring his six years of voluntary service with our Marine Unit.
It was formally named at Bradwell Marina on 9 May, with Toby’s family and colleagues in attendance.
 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
Burglars often target windows to gain entry to your home, especially during warmer days when people are more likely to leave them open.
You can add extra protection to your windows by fitting key‑operated window locks on ground‑floor and easy‑to‑reach windows, using laminated glass or security film, and installing sash stops on sash windows. Window opening restrictors can allow ventilation but should be secure so they can’t be opened from outside.
If you are replacing windows, consider security‑accredited products that meet British standards A locksmith belonging to the Master Locksmiths Association can suggest the correct standard of window lock and offer advice on upgrading window security.
Be fraud smart
Be cautious of scam emails that claim to be from TV Licensing.
These messages often say your licence hasn’t been renewed or that a Direct Debit payment has failed, and encourage you to click a link to “renew” your licence. A key warning sign is that the link may take you to a “.jp” website (a Japanese‑registered web address), which is designed to steal your personal and payment details.
Do not click the link or enter any personal or bank information. If you need to check your TV licence, always go to the official website by typing it into a search engine, not by using links in emails.
You can help protect others by reporting scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
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