New Essex Police Rural Independent Advisory Group gives farmers and rural communities a stronger voice in policing
Fourteen people from various rural backgrounds, including farmers, business organisations, landowners and the National Farmers’ Union, agreed terms of reference for the new IAG at their first meeting on 30 September.
It is thought to be the first IAG in the country to focus on crimes which specifically affect farmers and rural communities, such as theft of agricultural vehicles and machinery, hare coursing and poaching, livestock worrying, offences targeting stables and large-scale fly-tipping.
Braintree: Two guilty of murder of Helen Bloomfield
Work by specialist detectives has ensured two women have been convicted of the murder of Helen Bloomfield.
Fifty-two year-old Helen had been found dead at her home address in Aetheric Road on 19 April 2024.
When she had been discovered, it was clear she had, sadly, been dead for some time and initial enquiries led officers to believe her death was not suspicious although it was not clear what Helen’s cause of death was. As a result, further tests were requested.
Following Helen’s death, we received information that indicated two women – Charlotte James and Amy Keeley – had been responsible for her death.
Both women knew Helen well and had regularly been to her home.
Through our investigation a number of witnesses told officers that James and Keeley had told them they had killed Helen.
While the results of a forensic postmortem failed to identify a cause of death, it did confirm injuries which matched those described to officers but those witnesses.
Forensic tests also identified Keely’s DNA on pillow cases, a broken mirror, and a pair of scissors, including some items with blood on. DNA and fingerprints belonging to James were also found within the flat.
During interview the pair both denied they had killed Helen.
Keely, 40, of no fixed address, and James, 29, of St Michaels Lane, Braintree were both charged with murder.
They again denied the charges but following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, they were found guilty on Thursday 8 October.
They’re due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday 16 October.
Tendring: Adapted e-scooters spark safety warning as officers seize 88 illegal e-scooters and e-bikes in two months
The team’s most recent crackdown, on 2 October, saw neighbourhood policing officers, assisted by roads policing colleagues, seizing 16 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters across the district. This takes the total to 88 since Operation Rifle was launched on 30 July.
Two e-scooters modified so riders could carry a child have been seized by officers during our ongoing work to tackle the illegal and anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes across Tendring.
One of the modified e-scooters was being ridden with a child passenger at the time it was seized last month, while the second was not.
Throughout the campaign, cycle patrols have played a key role through high-visibility patrols, proactive enforcement and community engagement.
And, alongside the seizures, officers have dealt with various traffic offences, gathered intelligence, disrupted criminality and provided reassurance to local communities.
Great Notley: Patrols to deter nuisance vehicles around the A131
Officers deployed to the A131 and the Great Notley area on Sunday 4 October in response to increased reports of anti-social use of vehicles in the area.
Using mobile automatic number plate recognition they targeted vehicles seen to be causing significant noise disruption and danger to other road users.
During Sunday’s operation, officers issued four traffic offence reports for various motoring violations and a cannabis warning.
Other drivers stopped were advised of the active Nuisance Vehicles public space protection order in place across the entire district, which prohibits motoring activity likely to cause harassment, alarm, distress or nuisance.
This includes car cruising and meets, excessive noise from engines or music, producing large amounts of exhaust fumes, driving in disruptive convoys and performing stunts such as wheel spins and handbrake turns.
Chelmsford: Criminal behaviour orders help to keep city centre safe - 20 in force
Criminal behaviour orders are playing a key role in helping Chelmsford neighbourhood policing officers tackle repeat offending, reduce anti-social behaviour and keep the city centre safe for all.
Since Essex Police launched its town centre teams in July 2019, Chelmsford's officers have made extensive use of the court orders to address shop theft, street-based anti-social behaviour, and alcohol and drug-related offending.
With 20 criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) currently in place, they are using a combination of enforcement and intervention to challenge harmful behaviour, support positive change and improve the experience of everyone who lives, works and spends time in the city centre.
Southend: Man jailed for 13 years after targeting young girl
A 35-year-old man from Leigh has been jailed for 13 years and six months after following an 11-year-old girl from a play area and forcing her into an alleyway before throwing her to the ground.
Kieran Mansfield was identified through a swift police investigation and arrested the following morning. He later admitted kidnapping, assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and providing false information in relation to an SHPO.
The victim was not physically injured and was able to get help from a nearby friend’s house. Mansfield was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court and will serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison, followed by a four-year extended licence period. A further Sexual Harm Prevention Order will be considered at a future hearing.
Harlow & Hatfield Heath: Shoplifter hands himself in to police – admits 21 thefts
Damian Clinton, 33, of Wooding Grove, was arrested at the town’s police station on 30 September.
The following day he appeared before Chelmsford magistrates and pleaded guilty to 21 offences.
The court heard he had stolen at least £2,193.08 of goods from BP in Potter Street and Edinburgh Way, Next Retail in the Water Gardens, Next Home in Edinburgh Way and Queensgate Centre, and Poundland in Staple Tye shopping centre, all in Harlow, plus the Co-op in Hatfield Heath.
Amongst his haul were duvet covers, cushions, a lamp, laundry and cleaning products, and food.
Clinton was bailed until his next appearance, on 2 November at Chelmsford Crown Court, with conditions not to go to any BP garage, Co-op, Next store or Poundland in Essex or Hertfordshire.
Driver jailed after speeding into oncoming A13 traffic
A disqualified driver who repeatedly drove at high speeds into oncoming traffic while trying to evade police has been jailed thanks to an Essex Police investigation.
Jack Dinnadge, 30, made off from officers during two incidents in August, on both occasions driving against the flow of traffic.
Officers disengaged when continuing to pursue him would have increased the danger to innocent motorists.
But while the pursuits on the road ended, the hunt for Dinnadge did not.
An investigation led by our Roads Policing Unit secured crucial CCTV evidence identifying Dinnadge as the driver and tracked him to a hotel in Thurrock, where he was arrested.
He was jailed for 18 months at Basildon Crown Court on Monday 5 October.
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.
Start your journey safely - make tyre checks part of your routine
This October, as part of Tyre Safety Month, Essex Police is encouraging motorists to make regular tyre checks part of their driving routine and be prepared for the unexpected.
No matter how experienced or confident a driver may be, tyres remain the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road. When tyres are worn, damaged or incorrectly inflated, vehicle handling, braking performance and grip can all be significantly affected, increasing the risk of losing control.
A – Air Pressure
Check tyre pressures at least once a month and before long journeys, using the manufacturer's recommended pressures.
C – Condition
Inspect tyres for cuts, cracks, bulges or any objects embedded in the tread. Any lump or bulge should be checked by a qualified tyre professional as soon as possible.
T – Tread
Ensure tyres have sufficient tread depth to maintain grip and performance, particularly in wet conditions. The legal minimum for passenger vehicles is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference.
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This week we remember
Hubert James Edwards
Hubert Edwards served with Essex County Constabulary from May 1, 1912. After three years patrolling the streets, he volunteered to enlist with the 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards on May 18, 1915. Hubert was killed on 12 October 1917 along with 744 others during the first two weeks in October in heavy rain, trying to move forward a few hundred yards to improve their tactical position.
Christopher ‘Wiggy’ Wiggins
Chris Wiggins served with Essex Police from 8 March 1982. On 13 October 1992, Chris was on duty patrolling the M25 with PC Richard Raker. They responded to a report of a car on fire and arrived to find it well alight on the hard shoulder. They implemented a lane closure and after cones had been placed and the matrix signs switched on, their police car was struck by a heavy goods vehicle causing it to burst into flames. Chris was alone in the police car at the time and he was killed instantly.
Edward Jack Gillingham
Edward Gillingham served with Southend Borough Constabulary. He and his wife were killed as a result of enemy action on 14 October 1940. A German raider released two heavy bombs whilst being pursued by a British fighter in the Thames Estuary. One of the bombs fell at the rear of Edward’s house where he and his wife were talking a walk together in their garden before he was due to go on duty.
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Roy Smith who retired as a Sergeant and served at Chelmsford, Harlow, Laindon Traffic and Canvey Island. He passed away on 25 September 2026 aged 86 years.
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