News 11 May to 17 May
 Van goes “topless” after driver misjudges height
A van driver in Lawford got an unexpected reminder that knowing your vehicle’s height is just as important as knowing where you’re going.
Shortly before 7.30am on Friday 8 May, a concerned member of the public reported they were following a Luton van which had struck Manningtree railway bridge in The Causeway, Lawford. The caller said parts of the van were falling off as it continued its journey, and despite their best efforts to alert the driver, the van carried on for several more miles.
Local Police Team officers located the vehicle within 15 minutes of the 999 call and were joined by Roads Policing officers.
When spoken to by police, the driver admitted that he was not from the area and had not realised the bridge was too low for his vehicle to pass under safely. He was uninjured and has since been recommended to undertake a driving awareness course.
Thankfully, while the van came off significantly worse, no damage was caused to the bridge, and the railway line was not affected.
While this incident may raise eyebrows, it highlights a serious road safety issue.
 Witham: Closure order for shop which sold illegal tobacco and vapes to children
A shop that sold illegal tobacco and vapes to children in Witham has been closed down for three months.
Braintree Neighbourhood Policing Team and Witham Town Council supported a joint investigation by Braintree District Council and Essex County Council’s Trading Standards, prompted by ongoing concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes from Yellow Express in Newland Street.
And on 22 April, Braintree District Council secured a closure order from the courts.
In the lead up to the closure, Trading Standards officers from Essex County Council carried out multiple seizures of illicit tobacco and non-compliant vapes in significant quantities. Investigations also uncovered several instances where the vapes had been sold to underage children.
 New England: Sharp-eyed neighbourhood officers seize 420 cannabis plants
Sharp-eyed Braintree neighbourhood officers have seized a large cannabis grow in New England, near Sturmer.
The cannabis plants – 180 mature plants and 240 younger plants – were located in an abandoned former pub on the A1017, at its junction with the B1054.
Officers from Braintree Neighbourhood Policing Team entered the building on 15 May to remove the plants, which will be safely destroyed. No arrests have yet been made but our inquiries are continuing.
 Loughton: Tackling crime on our roads
Specialist roads policing officers joined partners in Loughton on Tuesday 12 May to tackle unsafe driving, uphold the law and protect everyone who uses our roads.
The operation focused on identifying dangerous driving behaviours and every offence dealt with prevented a potential collision and reduced harm.
Officers identified a range of offences linked to the Fatal Five, the main factors behind serious and fatal collisions. Sadly, five arrests were made for drink or drug driving offences.
In addition, officers detected 46 seatbelt offences, 39 mobile phone offences, three careless driving offences, and 30 speeding offences detected by a mobile safety camera across the Loughton district show how everyday decisions behind the wheel continue to put people at risk.
 Harrison Ackland
An Essex woman has spoken about the impact of abuse after her former partner was jailed for a series of offences, including rape, assault and harassment. Ebony Boatwright waived her right to anonymity to share her experience and encourage others to come forward.
She described the abuse as having a profound effect on every part of her life and said there were times she did not think she would survive. Ebony said she felt isolated and tried to make herself “invisible”, but wants others to know there is a way out and that support is available.
Her former partner, Harrison Ackland, of Morris Avenue, Billericay, was found guilty of multiple offences and, on 11 May, was sentenced to 24 years in prison, with 18 years to be served in custody and a further six years on extended licence.
Read Ebony's brave and empowering story on our website.
Two men have been arrested after neighbourhood policing officers carried out drugs warrants in Heybridge as part of an investigation into the supply of drugs in the area.
Officers from Maldon Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Operational Support Group executed three warrants early on Thursday 14 May. A 33-year-old man was arrested at a house in Hillary Road on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs. He has since been bailed until 13 August. Officers seized a phone linked to drug supply, £2,500 in cash and drug deal bags.
A 60-year-old man was also arrested at an address in Oak Road on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and has been released under investigation. Suspected cocaine and prescription drugs were recovered.
Enquiries continue.
 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.
Twenty-one people have been arrested following a proactive day of action targeting drink and drug driving in Chelmsford.
Officers carried out enforcement activity across the Chelmsford district on Saturday 9 May as part of Operation Limit, a road safety campaign focused on tackling impaired driving. Of the 21 arrests made, 18 were linked to drink or drug driving, including one driver who tested positive for both.
Roadside testing indicated many drivers had used drugs including cannabis and cocaine. Some of those arrested were also suspected of offences including driving without a licence or insurance, possession of drugs, and one was wanted in connection with an assault.
During the operation, officers issued 108 traffic offence reports, detected 183 speeding offences and seized eight vehicles.
A Benfleet man has been charged in connection with an investigation by our Rural Engagement Team into the theft and illegal trade of wild birds’ eggs.
The-64-year-old man is accused of having in his possession or control 114 wild birds’ eggs listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, having in his possession or control 970 wild birds’ eggs contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and possession of a large egg collection of approximately 2,707 birds’ eggs with the intention of using it to commit a wildlife crime.
He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 22 June.
Essex Police has announced new measures to improve its response to hare coursing and better support rural communities.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said more needs to be done to tackle the issue, which has increased despite an overall drop in rural crime. Since August 2025, officers have seized vehicles, issued Community Protection Notices and taken action against offenders.
The new approach will see reports of hare coursing in progress treated as a priority emergency response. The most appropriate teams will attend incidents, with increased training for officers to improve understanding of the offence and available powers.
The force will also expand the use of specialist equipment, including off-road vehicles and drones, and ensure dogs found at hare coursing incidents are seized.
Two people have been jailed after officers investigated drug dealing linked to an address in Canvey.
Officers built evidence over several months, following reports from the public, before identifying George Sellick, 31, and Kate Murphy, 31. Officers carried out a warrant at the property in July 2025, where they found drugs, cash and items linked to drug supply.
While officers were inside, Sellick returned to the address carrying more drugs, cash and a knife and was detained. In total, drugs and cash worth more than £17,000 were seized. Sellick and Murphy admitted a range of offences and were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on 7 May 2026 to a combined total of 13 years in prison.
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.
A Class A drug dealer has been jailed following action taken in response to concerns raised by residents in Colchester.
Officers from Operation Raptor worked with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team to target reports of drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour linked to a property in the New Town area. A warrant was carried out, during which drugs and a mobile phone were seized and a man was arrested.
Anthony Sexton, 36, admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and cocaine. He appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on 29 April, where he was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison.
Officers say community information was key in helping build the case.
 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.
 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
Easy wins to protect your bike from thieves
Bike thieves look for easy targets, so a few simple steps can make a big difference.
Always lock your bike with two good‑quality locks, securing the frame and both wheels to a solid stand. Park in busy, well‑lit areas, take removable parts like lights or seats with you, and register your bike’s frame number so it can be traced if stolen.
The harder you make it, the more likely thieves are to move on.
Be fraud smart
How to spot a scam
Scammers often try to rush or pressure you.
They may send unexpected messages, ask you to act quickly, or request money or personal details.
Take a moment before you respond.
Pausing can help you spot the warning signs and avoid falling victim.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Kennel Assistant £27,204
Speed Enforcement Officer £27,204
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
Reginald Thomas Hunt
After training, police constable Reginald Thomas Hunt was posted to Clacton and then to Grays. He left the police on 7 September 1941 and joined the R.A.F. the following day. He was the wireless operator of 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve when, in the early hours of 20 May 1944 the aircraft was hit by light flak and crashed. All the crew, presumably including Reginald, were killed on 20 May 1944.
Albert Ronald Oxenham
Police constable Albert Ronald Oxenham joined Essex County Constabulary on 27 September 1937, having previously worked as a waiter at The Queens Hotel in Hastings. After training at Headquarters, Albert was posted to Brentwood, Rochford and Canvey Island. Albert joined the R.A.F. on 6 October 1941. He was killed in the early hours of Monday, 22 May 1944.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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