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.
 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 investigating a report of a serious sexual assault in the Greenstead area of Colchester. The incident happened on a path between The Chase and Stanley Wooster Way at about 11pm on Monday 4 May. A woman reported being approached by a man and assaulted, before he left the area.
Officers have carried out extensive enquiries, including house-to-house checks, CCTV review and forensic work. The woman is being supported by specialist officers.
The suspect is described as a black man wearing a red-chequered shirt. We are asking residents and businesses to check CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage.
We are also appealing to a taxi driver who may have relevant information to come forward.
 Anthony Sexton
A Class A drug dealer has been jailed after we responded to concerns raised by residents in the New Town area of Colchester.
Following reports of frequent drug dealing and anti‑social behaviour linked to a property in Albion Grove, our Op Raptor drug enforcement team worked with Colchester’s Neighbourhood Policing Team to take action. Warrants were carried out on Tuesday 3 February, leading to the recovery of drugs, a mobile phone and the arrest of 36‑year‑old Anthony Sexton.
Sexton later admitted being involved in the supply of crack cocaine and cocaine and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on 29 April to two years and ten months in prison. We continue to work closely with communities and partners to tackle drug‑related harm and keep neighbourhoods safe.
 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.
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.
 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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