News 31 August to 6 September
 Sixty-eight new officers take their oaths
Sixty-eight new officers have taken their oaths and are ready to keep you safe and protect Essex’s neighbourhoods.
In front of their friends and family, the Police, Fire, Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant Jennifer Tolhurst, the High Sheriff Susannah Dutton, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, the new officers passed out at a ceremony at Essex Police HQ in Chelmsford.
It was Chief Constable Rachel Nolan’s first such event since becoming Essex Police’s Chief.
 Braintree: Three charged over firearms incident
Detectives investigating last week’s shooting incident in Braintree have secured attempted murder charges against three people.
Twenty-three year-old Destiny Ema, 18 year-old Kayden Brown, and a 17 year-old boy who can’t be named due to his age were arrested following the incident in Market Place on Monday 31 August.
Two teenagers sustained serious injuries to their face and upper body while a third person was also injured.
Ema, of Meadgate Avenue, Chelmsford, Brown, of Noaks Avenue, Chelmsford, and the 17 year-old, who’s from Braintree are all due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 7 September.
Ema has also been charged with offences connected to separate investigations.
He’s been charged with:
- Attempted GBH with intent;
- Possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence;
- Possession of a firearm while committing an indictable offence;
- Possession of a firearm while prohibited for life;
- Harassment;
- Malicious communications;
- Possession of a shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence.
North Stifford: Three arrested following assault
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after three people were arrested following a assault in North Stifford.
We were called to a hotel in Stifford Clays Road shortly before midnight on Saturday 5 September to reports a number of people had received stab wounds and what we believe was an event there.
Officers attended and identified four people with injuries.Three people were arrested. Two men from Hackney – aged 24 and 25 – have been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent. A 21 year-old man from Enfield has been arrested on suspicion of GBH without intent. All three are currently in custody.
We believe there were around 100 people at the hotel at the time and we need anyone with information about what happened to get in touch.
If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
Please quote the crime reference number 42/142250/26.
 Clacton Air Show welcomed thousands from across Essex
The annual Clacton Air Show once again passed off safely with a fantastic atmosphere over the two days, with tens of thousands of people coming together to enjoy the flying displays and celebrate this landmark event.
Police officers and police community support officers from the Tendring Neighbourhood Policing Team, along with colleagues from Roads Policing and Operational Policing Command were on duty across the two days. Officers from the Essex Marine Unit patrolled the coastline to help ensure people were safe in the water and Project Servator officers, alongside colleagues from City of London Police, also kept an eye out for anything unusual on land.
Corringham: Man arrested as motorcyclist dies in collision
A man has been arrested following a fatal collision involving a car and a motorcycle in Corringham on Thursday 3 September.
The motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, sadly died as a result of the incident, and specialist officers are supporting his family. A man in his 50s from Corringham was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and drug-driving related offences and has since been released under investigation.
We continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward, quoting incident 1384 of 3 September.
 Grays: Ten arrested after chop shop uncovered
Ten people were arrested after a call from a member of the public who’d tracked down his stolen car led to the discovery of a chop shop.
The man had travelled to Essex from Oxfordshire following the theft of his vehicle and had seen it parked at a Grays industrial estate.
After calling the police, officers carried out a warrant and made six arrests after discovering dozens of suspicious vehicles and piles of parts.
Four more men then turned up at the scene and were also arrested.
So far, four vehicles at the site have been confirmed as stolen and an investigation is ongoing to track down the owners of other cars and vans found there.
Nine of the ten men arrested were subsequently released on bail. No further action will be taken against the tenth man.
Chop shops are units where stolen cars are taken to be stripped down or have their identities altered before being sold on.
Basildon: Witnesses sought following reported harassment
Officers investigating reports of girls being harassed at Basildon Bus Station on 19 August are appealing for witnesses and potential victims to come forward.
A 42-year-old Wickford man has been charged with a public order offence in connection with the incident and is due to appear at court next year. Detectives are particularly keen to identify two women and two girls seen in the area at the time and are also asking anyone with CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage to get in touch, quoting incident 822 of 19 August or crime reference 42/132746/26.
 Brentwood: Two more charged in connection with death of Bobby Bloomfield
Two more people have been charged in connection with the investigation into the death of Bobby Bloomfield in Pilgrims Hatch. Bobby, 12, sustained serious injuries after an incident in Ashwells Lane on Sunday 7 June. Despite the best efforts of those involved in his care, Bobby sadly later died in hospital.
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and William Lunnon, 43, of Ashwells Road, Pilgrims Hatch, were subsequently charged with Bobby’s murder. They are due to next appear in Basildon Crown Court on October 6.
As a result of ongoing investigative work and consistent contact with the Crown Prosecution Service, we have now charged 65-year-olds William Lunnon and Ruth Lunnon, both of Ashwells Road, Pilgrims Hatch.
William Lunnon is charged with perverting the course of justice and Ruth Lunnon is charged with assisting an offender (murder).
Both appeared on Thursday 3 September, at Basildon Magistrates’ Court and were released on bail to attend Basildon Crown Court on 1 October.
 Assistant Chief Constable Silmon Wilson
New Deputy Chief Constable announced
A new Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) has been appointed for Essex Police.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Wilson has been selected for the role of Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police following a rigorous appointment process.
It follows the promotion of former Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan who is now the force’s Chief Constable following the retirement of former Chief Ben-Julian Harrington.
Mr Wilson joined Kent Police in 1998, starting his policing career in Gravesend.
Throughout his career he has undertaken various roles including Divisional Commander for North and West Divisions in Kent as well as various detective roles.
He became an Assistant Chief Constable in February 2023, and ACC for the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate in 2025.
 Hare coursing reports – three dogs and thermal imaging scope seized
Three dogs and a thermal imaging scope have been seized by officers attending reports of hare coursing in the Bardfield area.
Officers made the seizures after detaining three men on a farm track on 30 August after responding to several reports of hare coursing in the area.
The men were searched under Section 8 of the Hunting Act 2004, which gives police powers to stop and search individuals suspected of involvement in illegal hunting offences.
Officers seized three dogs, a thermal imaging scope and a quantity of cash.
The men, aged 37, 24 & 22, from addresses in Kent and south-east London, were interviewed at the scene and released. Our inquiries continue.
Basildon: Arrest made after reported assault
Officers were called shortly after 10am on Tuesday 1 September following concerns for the welfare of a man at an address in Britten Avenue.
The man reported he had been assaulted inside the property the previous day. It was further reported that his keys and mobile phone had been taken. He suffered significant injuries which were thankfully not life-threatening or life-changing.
Following swift enquiries by Basildon CID detectives, a suspect was identified and arrested. A man in his 30s, from Basildon, has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, theft and burglary. He remains in custody for questioning.
Anyone with information which could assist our investigation is asked to contact us. Please cite incident 330 of 1 September.
 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
Record serial numbers for expensive tools
Take a few minutes to record serial numbers, makes and models for expensive tools and garden equipment. Photos are useful too. If something is stolen, these details can help police and insurers identify it more easily.
Be fraud smart
Courier fraud
Courier fraud can start with a call from someone pretending to be from the police or your bank. They may ask you to withdraw money, hand over cards or give items to a courier. Police and banks will never ask you to do this. Hang up and contact your bank using a trusted number.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Firearms Research and Development Officer £27,204
Personal Safety Training Instructor £33,603
Roads Policing #Investigation Section Head £37,020
Kennel Assistant £27,204
Contact Centre Officers £27,204 to £29,859
Police Community Support Officers £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
 Joseph Watt
Joseph Watt served with Essex County Constabulary from 2 April 1906. On 27 August 1913 Joseph was on duty in Romford High Street when he saw a runaway horse drawing a four wheeled van coming towards him. The horse had been startled by a motorbus while it was having a nosebag, and one man had already been injured in trying to stop the terrified animal. As the horse drew level, he managed to grab its mane, running beside it while he tried to bring it to a halt.
Sadly he caught his foot on the pavement and fell beneath the van wheels. He died later from his injuries on 8 September 1913.
Alexander Henry Barlow Mackay
Alexander Mackay served with Essex County Constabulary from 5 February 1935. After completing training at Headquarters, Alexander served in Chelmsford, Ongar, HQ and Romford before joining the R.A.F. on 15 September 1941. He was killed in a flying accident on Thursday 10 September 1942 whilst serving as Leading Aircraftsman 1335668 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was aged 28 and left a widow, Phyllis Mackay.
John Noel Rumsby
John Rumsby served with Essex County Constabulary from June 28, 1937 after working as a gardener for Captain Angus of Houghton. Having completed his training at Headquarters he was posted to Romford and then Upminster. John left the police on April 5,1942 and joined the R.A.F. the following day. He went missing presumed killed on Monday September 11,1944 whilst serving as Flight Sergeant 1586158 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was aged 27.
Francis William Tarry
Francis Tarry served with Essex County Constabulary from July 9, 1936. After training at Headquarters he worked at Braintree, Headquarters and Grays. Francis joined the army on September 14, 1943. Within a year, on Monday September 11, 1944, he was killed in action whilst serving as Trooper 14664847 with Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, R.A.C. He was aged 28.
Ernest William Wedlock
Ernest Wedlock served with Essex County Constabulary from December 17, 1986 as Constable 267. He was initially posted to Southend and latterly served in Colchester, Harwich, Boxted, Braintree, Coggeshall and Maldon. On May 31, 1915, Ernest enlisted with the Essex Regiment where he served in France where he was injured. He was transferred to 141st Company, Labour Corps and died on September 13, 1918.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
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