News 10 August to 16 August
 Police gain new powers to seize vehicles used in anti-social driving
Drivers who use their vehicles in an anti-social manner could now have them seized immediately under strengthened police powers.
Changes to Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act, which came into force on 30 June, mean officers no longer need to issue a warning before taking enforcement action against anti-social driving.
The new legislation allows police to seize a vehicle at the first incident where it is being driven carelessly, inconsiderately, at excessive speed, or in a way that causes annoyance to other road users.
 Harlow: Detectives secure lengthy sentence for dangerous burglar
A dangerous offender who threatened a 78-year-old woman with a knife during a burglary at her Harlow home has been handed an extended prison sentence following a swift investigation by Essex Police.
Danny Mitchell, 20, broke into the victim's property in the early hours of 14 December last year, waking her in her bedroom and holding a knife to her while demanding money. He stole a number of bank cards before fleeing the scene.
Detectives quickly identified Mitchell through evidence left behind at the address, including a knife and mobile phone, while DNA recovered from the property and the victim's account further strengthened the case.
Just two days later, officers located Mitchell hiding in a shed at his home in Harlow. He resisted arrest and assaulted two officers, leaving one with bite injuries and another with head injuries.
Mitchell, who committed the offences while on prison licence, later admitted aggravated burglary and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. At Chelmsford Crown Court on 13 August, he was deemed a dangerous offender and sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by four years on extended licence.
 Philip Curson
Philip Curson, now 54, of Brookmans Park Drive in Upminster, was found guilty of violent disorder at Chelmsford Crown Court on 10 April 2026 following a two-week trial.
Bodyworn footage showed Curson kick a police officer to the leg while they separated protestors and counter-protestors, as well as Curson at the front of a crowd of protesters on multiple occasions in the afternoon of 17 July 2025.
At the same court on 14 August, he was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
Rayleigh: Retail thefts disrupted and drugs seized during town centre operation
Officers carried out a plain clothes and uniform operation in Rayleigh town centre at the weekend, targeting anti-social behaviour and retail crime.
The operation ran between 10am and 6pm on Saturday 8 August, with officers out and about chatting to local people, identifying offenders, gathering intelligence and providing a visible presence in the town centre.
As part of the day’s activities, officers carried out:
- 17 stop and searches
- Three community resolutions for cannabis possession.
- Two persons under investigation for possession of Class B drugs.
- Seven intelligence reports submitted.
- Two shop thefts disrupted at Greggs and Tesco, preventing financial loss to both businesses.
- Three vehicles stopped, with intelligence submitted as a result.
 Gareth Keane
Basildon: 'I felt believed and understood from the start'
A survivor has spoken after the man who raped her was jailed following the brutal attack in Basildon in 2023.
"He destroyed most of my 40s by his actions – it’s only right that he loses his.
"The rape had such a profound effect on me and I’m still processing it now.
"It’s taken three years to get to this stage. And I could not have done it without the incredible support of the officers and my independent sexual assault adviser Hannah.
"They went above and beyond during the worst time in my life."
Gareth Keane, 39, of Pynnacles Close, Stanmore, denied four counts of rape and one count of voyeurism.
Following a trial at Basildon Crown Court he was found guilty of one count of rape and voyeurism.
At the same court on Thursday 23 July, he was jailed for a total of five years.
 Stuart Ross
Basildon: Sex offender jailed after attempting to arrange child abuse
Our Police Online Investigation Team and colleagues have ensured a Basildon man is jailed after he was caught trying to arrange to rape children.
Stuart Ross, 50, of Orlando Drive in Basildon, first spoke to a woman called Louise on social media on 15 November 2020.
Ross quickly turned the conversation to describing the sexual acts and abuse he wanted to act out on Louise and her two young daughters, aged four years old and four months old, and how soon he would be able to visit them.
Over the course of 11 days he exchanged dozens of messages with Louise and had phone calls confirming times and dates he would travel to her address in Yorkshire.
The two daughters were not real, and ‘Louise’ was an undercover police officer based in the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Crime Unit.
 Dylan Patel and Vamshi Mandala
Ongar: Identities of two men who died confirmed
We can now confirm they are pilot 26 year-old Dylan Patel from Harlow and his 24 year-old passenger Vamshi Mandala from India.
Dylan and Vamshi died when the two-seater Cessna aircraft came down in a field off Mill Lane at around 12.30pm on 30 June.
They had taken off from North Weald Airfield a short time before on what was meant to be a short flying experience flight.
 Oliver Smith
Saffron Walden: Family tribute to man who brought 'endless light and laughter'
A family has paid tribute to a father-of-three who died in a collision in Saffron Walden last month and said: ‘he brought endless light and laughter to our lives’.
Officers were called to reports of a single vehicle collision in Cambridge Road, Littlebury, in the early hours of Wednesday 29 July.
Sadly, the driver of the car, 40-year-old Oliver Smith, died at the scene.
Paying tribute his family said:
"We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of Oliver Smith following a road traffic collision on July 29th.
"Oliver brought endless light and laughter to our lives."
 Officers seize and recover 28 vehicles
Seizing uninsured vehicles and those believed to have been used in crime is a vital part of our Rural Engagement Team’s work to keep our rural communities safe.
In the past six weeks, officers have seized three vehicles believed to have been used to commit crime, including one involving hare coursing.
Since 1 July, they also seized a further 13 for being driven without insurance or without a valid licence. And they have tracked down and recovered 12 stolen vehicles, quadbikes, trailers and even an asbestos decontamination unit, returning them to their owners.
 Witham: Neighbourhood officers seize drugs and £100,000 of cigarettes
A 34-year-old man has been arrested in Witham on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs in the area.
Officers from Braintree Neighbourhood Policing Team and our Operational Support Group executed a warrant in the Allectus Way area of the town this morning, 11 August.
They recovered a quantity of suspected Class A drugs and 444 cartons of cigarettes, with an estimated street value of between £75,000 and £100,000.
The man has now been bailed while our inquiries continue.
 PD Kaiser helps catch teenage burglars after dozens of vehicle thefts and break-ins across six counties
Two prolific offenders who carried out dozens of burglaries and vehicle thefts across six counties have been jailed following Essex Police investigations.
Six-year-old child dies in A12 collision
All emergency services were called to the northbound road, close to junction 28, shortly after 10.30am on Monday 10 August.
The incident involved a lorry and a car.
The road was closed in both directions to allow for emergency services to work quickly at the scene.
Tragically, a six-year-old girl died at the scene. A second child sustained a leg injury and is being treated in hospital.
 Anthony Canty
Tiptree: Wife pays tribute to ‘amazing husband and best dad’ after fatal collision
Officers were first called to Maldon Road at 6.30am on Thursday 21 May following a collision involving a vehicle and a bicycle.
The cyclist, Anthony Canty, was taken to hospital by ambulance in a serious condition. Despite the best efforts of all involved in his care, he sadly died on Monday 25 May. He was 39-years-old.
Today, his family have spoken of their devastating loss and the huge void his death has left behind.
Paying tribute, his wife Kate said:
"Anthony was an amazing husband and the best dad. He was one of a kind and we were so lucky to have him in our lives.
"The pain of losing him is the worst pain imaginable. Every day feels overwhelming and we are completely lost without him.
Southend: Two in court charged with preventing lawful burial
Following reports from social services raising concerns for the welfare of a child, officers attended an address in Kenway, Southend, on Thursday 7 August where, sadly, the body of a child was found.
A man and woman were subsequently arrested and, as a result of the extensive work carried out by a dedicated investigative team into their death, we have been authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Sophie Dean, 31, of Coates House, Kenway, Southend and 32-year-old James Thorpe of Frobisher Way, Shoeburyness, with preventing a lawful and decent burial of a dead body between 3 July 2025 to 6 August 2026.
Thorpe has also been charged with obstruction of a constable in the execution of their duty.
 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
Lock windows and doors
Warm weather makes it tempting to leave windows open, even when popping out. But a window left slightly ajar can be all someone needs to gain access. Before leaving your home - even for a short time - close and lock all windows and doors. Window restrictors can help you get fresh air while still keeping things secure.
Be fraud smart
Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to act quickly
Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to act quickly or keep things secret.
Fraudsters rely on urgency and isolation. Genuine organisations will always support you taking time to think or seek advice.
 Join our team
Police staff jobs
Senior Network Engineer £41,856
Senior Management Accountant £63,879
Digital Forensic Technician £33,603
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
George Cook
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague George Cook.
George recently passed away at the age of 81. George retired from Essex Police in 2010 as the longest voluntary serving Police Officer, Special Constabulary, in the UK, having completed 47 years service and reached the rank of Chief Officer. He was also the founder and first Chair of the Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers (ASSCO).
George received his MBE for Services to Policing and his Charity Work in 2003.
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