News 12 October to 18 October
 Harlow house fire: 14 years on
Fourteen years after a fire in Harlow claimed the lives of a mother and her five children, detectives remain determined to establish the truth about what happened and hold the person or people responsible to account.
Dr Abdul Shakoor was the sole survivor of the fire at his family home in Barn Mead in the early hours of 15 October 2012.
His wife, 44-year-old Dr Sabah Usmani, and their five children, Hira, 12, Maheen, three, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, and Rayyan, six, all lost their lives.
The family were asleep when the fire took hold downstairs at around 1.40am. A silver Ford Focus was also set alight nearby at around the same time.
Despite Dr Shakoor’s desperate attempts to raise the alarm and save his family, the fire quickly engulfed the home.
Our murder investigation, Operation Shakespeare, remains ongoing.
Over the past 14 years, more than 70 police officers and staff have worked on the investigation, around 500 people have provided witness statements and almost 2,000 items have been examined.
We continue to assess information and pursue opportunities which could help establish exactly what happened that night and who was responsible.
 Clacton: Murder charge after caravan park incident
Detectives have secured a murder charge following an assault at a caravan park in Clacton.
Thirty-nine year-old Daniel Fox was arrested after a man was found injured at the Valley Farm Holiday Park on Wednesday 14 October.
Sadly, the victim – a man in his 40s from Frinton – was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fox, of Hampden Crescent, Warley has now been charged with one count of murder, three counts of assaulting an emergency worker, two counts of making threats to kill, and one count of burglary.
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 17 October.
Man arrested following reports of fireworks being recklessly lit in Southend
Officers attended Marine Parade at about 7.30pm on Saturday 17 October after members of the public reported the incident, ans an 18-year-old man from Westcliff was quickly arrested. A knife was also recovered from the scene.
He remains in custody on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harn and possession of a bladed article on a public place.
Anyone with further information about this incident should contact us by quoting incident 1212 of Saturday 17 October.
Patrolling officers in Basildon were immediately suspicious when a man on an illegal e-scooter turned to ride away when they approached him.
And, after promptly detaining Gift Osondu, 23, in St Martin’s Square on 5 May 2026, their suspicions were proved correct.
A search revealed a knife hidden in the waistband of his trousers, as well as cash and a mobile phone linked to drug dealing.
 Linda Evans
Hadleigh: Tributes to devoted mum after fatal collision
The family of a woman who died in a collision in Hadleigh have paid tribute to their devoted mum.
Pedestrian Linda Evans sustained fatal injuries in a collision with a motorbike in London Road, at 7.45pm on Friday 9 October.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the 73-year-old was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
A man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.
 Helen Bloomfield
Braintree: Life for pair over Helen Bloomfield murder
The family of Helen Bloomfield say she was a “ray of sunshine” who “loved helping everyone” – as the two women convicted of her murder thanks to work by our officers are sentenced to life.
Charlotte James, 29, of St Michaels Lane, Braintree and 40 year-old Amy Keely, of no fixed address, were convicted of her murder at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 8 October.
On Friday 16 October there were each sentenced to a minimum of 19 years and 175 days in prison before they can be considered for parole.
 Braintree & Witham: Illegal e-scooters and e-bikes seized
Five illegal e-scooters and an e-bike have been seized in Witham and Braintree by our neighbourhood policing officers.
Dangerous and anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes is one of the biggest concerns raised with our team by members of the public. We are listening, and our officers continue to take illegal e-scooters and e-bikes off our streets. Where appropriate, we will seize these vehicles and they'll be destroyed.
It is illegal to ride privately-owned e-scooters on public land, or e-bikes that have been modified so they no longer comply with the law. Privately-owned e-scooters also cannot currently be insured for use on public roads. We know how frustrating and concerning this behaviour can be for our communities, particularly when these vehicles are ridden dangerously or are linked to anti-social behaviour or crime.
If you know of e-scooters or illegally-modified e-bikes being used persistently for anti-social behaviour and where they are kept, please report this information to police.
 Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto
Search for missing person Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto
Our officers are continuing to search for 31-year-old Vitoria Figueiredo Barreto, who was reported missing on Wednesday 4 March. She was last being seen in the Brightlingsea area on Tuesday 3 March . Officers are following several lines of enquiry and are appealing to anyone who may have seen her or has information to call 999.
You can also share information through our dedicated portal.
Uttlesford & Braintree: Three men charged with hare coursing offences
Three men have been charged with offences relating to hare coursing, following an investigation by our Rural Engagement Team.
The trio, all from Kent, were initially arrested in the Bardfield area on 30 August by rural engagement officers and colleagues from Uttlesford Neighbourhood Policing Team following reports of hare coursing in the area.
Johnny Powell, 22, of Forstal Road, Lenham Heath, Joseph King, 22, of Teston Road, Offham and William Cook, 37, of Longfield Avenue, Longfield, have each been charged with:
- Trespass with intent to search for, or to pursue, hares with dogs
- Hunting a wild mammal with dogs
- Being equipped for searching for, or pursuing, hares with dogs
All three are due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 11 November 2026.
Our neighbourhood policing teams and the Rural Engagement Team continue to work closely with farmers, landowners and our rural communities to prevent and disrupt hare coursing and other forms of rural crime.
 Driver jailed after 115mph police pursuit
A dangerous driver who reached speeds of 115mph was caught after Essex Police worked with a police helicopter to track him as he abandoned his car and fled on foot.
Alan McDonnell, 29, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop when directed by police, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Footage from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) shows the helicopter guiding our officers to him after he ran from the Audi in Dagenham.
The helicopter’s thermal imaging camera also helped officers pinpoint a car key he had thrown into a nearby bush, allowing it to be recovered.
 New Dovercourt Police Station officially opens
The first new police building in Essex for 17 years has been officially opened.
Dovercourt Police Station has been built alongside Dovercourt Fire Station on the site formerly occupied by the station commander's house.
It replaces the outdated Harwich Police Station, which opened in 1914 and is no longer suitable for the demands of modern policing.
The joint facility will support closer partnership working between the police and fire services and improve operational effectiveness.
Chief Constable Rachel Nolan and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst both spoke at the event, which was attended by guests including Councillors Ann Oxley, Ivan Henderson and Charlie Powell, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Else, Dovercourt Fire Station Manager Karl Amos, and Tendring District Commander Chief Inspector Stuart Austin.
Chief Constable Nolan and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
The new building has been designed to RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge standards with photovoltaic cells on the roof that convert sunlight into electricity, and state-of-the-art ecologically efficient water, heat and lighting systems.
 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
Strengthen your front door
Your front door is the first place many burglars will test, so it’s important that it’s strong, well-fitted and properly maintained. Check the condition of the frame, hinges and locks, and consider upgrading to British Standard-approved hardware if you haven’t already. A solid door doesn’t just slow down an intruder - it can discourage them from attempting entry at all.
Be fraud smart
Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts
Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
Avoid reusing the same password across multiple sites to reduce risk.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Network Database Server Engineer £37,020
Witness Care Officer £30,333
EUC Senior Engineer £41,856
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.
 Obituaries
Patrick Snape
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Patrick Snape who retired as a D/Constable and served with the Specials, CID, C&PP, Harlow, Brentwood, Maldon and Chelmsford. He passed away on 28 September 2026 aged 57 years.
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