News 1 June to 7 June
 Linford: Investigation after fire at bus yard
We’re investigating an incident in Linford which led to damage being caused to a number of buses.
Alongside colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue, we attended a fire at a vehicle storage area in Muckingford Road shortly before 7pm on Friday 5 June.
At this stage it is being treated as a suspected arson. We are working closely with fire service colleagues to establish the cause of the fire.
Road closures were put in place whilst firefighters worked to control the incident.
Work at the scene concluded just after 9pm and road closures were lifted.
No arrests have been made and we’re working through a number of lines of enquiry.
 Chelmsford: Attempted murder investigation
A man has been arrested as part our response to a serious incident in Chelmsford.
We received numerous reports of a disturbance taking place in an area off Regina Road shortly after 4.30pm on Saturday 6 June.
Officers arrived and found a woman had sustained a number of serious injuries which required immediate medical attention.
She was taken to hospital in a serious condition, where she remains. Her loved ones are being supported.
During an immediate search of the area, officers arrested a 54-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. He was initially taken to hospital for medical treatment and was subsequently discharged. He is now in police custody.
There was a significant policing presence in the area throughout the evening as our investigation continued to be carried out.
 Shoebury: Investigation into fire
We’re working alongside fire service colleagues to investigate an incident in Shoebury.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire in a disused building in Maplin Way shortly after 7pm on Sunday 7 June.
Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries, but the building has sustained significant damage.
At this stage, it is being treated as a suspected arson and our investigation is progressing, through a number of targeted lines of enquiry.
 Detective's tussle with thief... days after 11th marathon of 2025
A marathon-mad detective was relieved to see backup arrive after a 12-minute tussle with a prolific shoplifter – just days after completing his eleventh marathon of the year.
DS Dan Thrale, who has served with Essex Police for 20 years, works as a detective with Southend CID.
Back in December last year, Dan stopped off at a shop in Southend to grab a meal deal before starting a night shift.
Like all officers, he knows he is never truly off duty.
As he entered the store, Dan noticed a man acting suspiciously outside.
Moments later, as he headed towards the till to pay, he saw the same man make a beeline for the exit carrying boxes of beer.
Dan intervened immediately.
 Holidaymaker delighted to hear his stolen van was recovered by rural officers
Our rural engagement officers made one holidaymaker very happy when they rang him in Mallorca to give him the news that they had recovered his stolen van.
The Mercedes Sprinter van was recovered intact, tools still inside, in Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, on 1 June, not long after it had been stolen from St Osyth.
 Loughton: “Oakley filled every room with light, laughter and love.”
The family of 14-month-old Oakley Barnett paid tribute to the much-loved little boy and described how “their hearts ache with the loss of him”.
Oakley’s mother Emma Barnett, 36, from Chester Road, Debden, was convicted of his murder following an 18-day trial at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday 28 May.
Oakley’s family said:
"Oakley filled every room with light, laughter, and love. With his beautiful curly hair and huge blue eyes, he captured the hearts of everyone who met him.
"His smile could brighten even the darkest day, and his gentle spirit brought so much happiness to our family.
"Oakley loved watching Trolls, and there was something magical about seeing his face light up with excitement whenever his favourite characters appeared on the screen.
"Those simple moments, full of wonder and joy, are memories we will treasure forever.
"Though he was only with us for a short time, Oakley filled our hearts.
Last week, Essex Police shone a light on the people who give their time to help others. Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, working side by side with officers, supporting communities and quietly making a difference every single day.
They help build trust, reach people who might otherwise feel unheard, and play a vital role in keeping Essex safe. Whether they’re offering advice, supporting local teams or stepping into more specialist roles, their impact runs deep and often goes unseen.
Their time, care and commitment matter more than words can say. Quite simply, Essex wouldn’t be the same without them and this week is a chance to say a heartfelt thank you for everything they do.
Two men have been given three‑year football banning orders after being involved in disorder at a Colchester United away match in Bromley.
The pair were arrested following clashes involving supporters and stewards during the game on 21 March 2026.
They later admitted public order offences, with one also admitting drug possession.
The banning orders mean they cannot attend football matches in the UK or abroad and must hand over their passports during major international tournaments.
These orders are about keeping matches safe so fans can enjoy football without violence or disorder.
 Essex Police support National Day of Action on illegal and unsafe e-scooters and e-bikes
Essex Police is supporting a National Day of Action to tackle the illegal use of e-scooters and unsafe e-bikes.
We will join 24 other police forces across the UK as part of a coordinated initiative led by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
The day will focus on raising awareness around the law, education and enforcement, with officers targeting illegal vehicles and promoting safe use of legal electric-powered transport.
The operation will be led by Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU), working alongside Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the county.
E-scooters have become increasingly visible on roads and pavements, but there is still significant confusion about the law.
Privately-owned e-scooters cannot legally be used on public roads, pavements or cycle paths. They are only permitted on private land with the landowner’s consent.
The only e-scooters that can be used legally in public are part of government-approved rental trials, which operate in specific areas.
Therefore, using a privately owned e-scooter in public areas is illegal and will be seized.
Similarly, electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are becoming more common on our roads.
 Community comes together at Clacton Police Open Day
Hundreds of families joined officers at Clacton Police Station for this year’s open day, with around 2,000 people coming along to meet their local policing team. Visitors had the chance to chat with officers, explore equipment and see first-hand how we work to keep people safe. Emergency services and local partners were also there, showing the wide range of support available across the community. Days like this are all about building trust, listening to what matters to residents and helping people feel confident that we’re here for them.
 Free training helping riders stay safer on Essex roads
Motorcyclists are some of the most at-risk people on our roads, which is why we’re working with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to offer free FireBike training to help riders stay safe.
The courses give practical advice on things like spotting hazards early, road positioning and making safe overtaking decisions, as well as how to handle changing road and weather conditions. Since 2023, we’ve supported nearly 100 courses across Essex, helping riders build confidence and reduce their risk of being involved in a collision.
The half-day sessions include an observed ride with police motorcyclists, who provide tailored feedback to help riders improve. The training is free, open to all experience levels, and runs at weekends between March and November, with riders receiving a certificate at the end.
 Live Facial Recognition camera technology success
Essex Police made 38 arrests in May using live facial recognition technology, including for serious offences such as rape, bringing the total number of arrests to more than 160 since it was introduced in August 2024.
The arrests involved people wanted for a range of offences including sexual offences, violent attacks, stalking, harassment, and drug and weapon offences, with some also detained for breaching court orders.
The technology uses cameras in public spaces to compare faces against a watchlist of people who are wanted or at risk, and if there is a match, officers are alerted to take action. Images of anyone not on the watchlist are deleted almost instantly and not stored, and that the system helps our officers find wanted people more quickly and spend more time on visible patrols to keep communities safe.
 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
It only takes a few seconds for someone to take advantage of an unlocked door or open window
Whether you’re filling up with fuel, paying for parking or unloading shopping, always lock your car and wind the windows up fully.
Making this a habit helps prevent opportunistic thieves and keeps your belongings safe.
Be fraud smart
When booking a holiday or buying tickets, take a moment to check who you’re buying from
Scammers often advertise deals that look much cheaper than normal, use fake photos, or ask you to pay by bank transfer instead of through a secure website.
Always do a quick check online, read reviews, and try to contact the company to make sure it’s real. For tickets, only buy from official sellers or trusted sites, and use a credit card if you can for extra protection.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and stop. It’s better to pause and check than risk losing your money.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Disclosure Officer £37,020
Internal Communications Delivery Officer £33,603
Campaigns and Events Delivery Officer £33,603
Senior Software Developer £41,856
Business Services Assistant £25,242
Contact Centre Officers £27,204 to £29,859
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) £27,204 to £32,613
Detention Officers £36,399 to £39,135
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
 This week we remember
William Henry Heap
William Henry Heap served with Essex County Constabulary from December 21, 1937. Prior to that he served in the Welsh Guards from 11 January 1934 to 4 December 1937. He was commended by the Chief Constable for 'the diligent manner in which he pursued his enquiries in connection with a series of cases of breaking and entering'. On 1 December 1939 William was recalled to his former regiment. He was killed in action on Saturday 10 June 1944.
Harold Greenhaigh
Harold Greenhaigh served with Essex County Constabulary from April 26 1937. Prior to this he joined the Territorial Army on 4 January 1932, and progressed to the regulars on 4 April 1933 where he remained for exactly four years. Harold married on 25 November 1939, prior to his recall to the army six days later. He contracted a rare blood disease and as a result was discharged from the army having attained the rank of Sergeant in the Grenadier Guards. He succumbed to the disease at Black Notley Hospital on 12 June 1943.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
 Obituaries
David Dawes
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague David Dawes who retired as a Constable and served with the Met, transferred to Essex where he served at Brentwood, Basildon and Headquarters. He passed away on 15 May 2026 aged 80 years.
Michael (Mick) Chapman
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Michael (Mick) Chapman who retired as a Constable and served at Grays, Corringham, Rayleigh, Southend, Canvey Island and Basildon. He passed away on 12 May 2026 aged 67 years.
Carol Brock
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Carol Brock who retired as a Constable and served with the Southend Borough, Laindon Traffic and Rayleigh. She passed away on 15 May aged 78 years.
|
