News 3 May to 9 June
 Off-duty detective tackles shop thief days after marathon challenge
An off-duty detective stepped in to stop a shoplifter in Southend after spotting suspicious behaviour outside a shop before starting a night shift.
Detective Sergeant Dan Thrale saw the man trying to leave the store carrying the stolen items and immediately intervened. A struggle followed, lasting around 12 minutes, before uniformed officers arrived to help. Jake Brookes, 35, of Oakleigh Avenue, Southend, was arrested and later charged with theft from a shop obstructing a police officer. What makes this even more remarkable is that just two days earlier, the detective had completed his 11th marathon of the year, leaving him exhausted but still ready to act when it mattered most.
Shoplifting has a real impact on businesses, staff and the wider community. It’s not a victimless crime and we will continue doing everything we can to protect businesses and keep our communities safe.
Appeal after fatal collision in Tiptree
We are investigating a serious collision in Tiptree where a cyclist has sadly died.
It happened on Maldon Road at around 6.30am on Thursday 21 May. The man, in his 30s, was taken to hospital but died a few days later.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and failing to stop. He remains under investigation while our enquiries continue.
We’re keen to hear from anyone who saw a black Ford KA in the area at the time, or who has dash cam or CCTV footage.
If you have any information, please contact us quoting incident 174 of 21 May.
Community Speed Watch in Essex is marking 20 years of helping keep roads safer, thanks to dedicated local volunteers. Since launching in 2006, the scheme has grown into a county-wide effort with around 1,100 volunteers supporting more than 100 groups.
Run by residents, the scheme sees trained volunteers monitor traffic and share information with police, helping highlight speeding concerns and encourage safer driving. While police lead enforcement, Community Speed Watch plays an important role in education and awareness.
Over the past two decades, volunteers have made a real difference in their communities and continue to support the wider aim of reducing serious injuries and deaths on Essex roads.
Two men have been arrested after an incident in Colchester in the early hours of Saturday 6 June.
Police were called to reports of a disturbance involving a group of people in Queen Street shortly after 3am. Officers attended and arrested two men, aged 23 and 25.
The 23-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of affray, and the 25-year-old on suspicion of assault. Both remain in custody for questioning.
We know a number of people witnessed what happened, and some were filming on their phones. If you have any footage or information, we need to hear from you as soon as possible.
At this stage, no one has come forward to identify themselves as a victim.
 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
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.
 Visit the Essex Police website for last week's crime data. Especially useful to Essex Watch and Neighbourhood Watch groups.
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