Essex Police Dispatch - issue 124
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 6 November to 12 November
Remembrance Day: “We didn’t fight for Queen and country, or Maggie. We fought for each other
David Gillies, Falklands veteran and award-winning member of the Serious Crime Directorate’s anti-fraud team, makes an emotional return to the islands. Read more
Knife crime down in Essex by 12% over the last 12 months
Today, Monday 13 November, sees the beginning of a national week where forces intensify their work to tackle serious violence and knife crime.
Although this work is carried out by officers 24-hours a day, seven-days-a-week, Operation Sceptre Week will see a number of specific operations being carried out across the county, including significant work with retailers to ultimately reduce the number of knives in the hands of people who would use them to cause harm.
Operations will also be in place across the county and will see the use of the state of the art ‘Open Gate’ devices and knife arches, both of which detect weapons. They can be deployed anywhere in the county, at any time. Read more
Wickham St Paul: Appeal after serious collision
It was reported two vehicles were in collision in Broad Road, Wickham St Paul shortly before 6.20pm on Wednesday 8 November. Read more
Fourteen arrests in one night after joint op targeting cross-border crime
The Essex-led operation uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to target criminals using the road network to move between counties. Read more
Colchester: Arrest after boy bitten by dog
The 13 year-old boy had been riding his bike on Fords Lane on 5 November when it happened. Read more
Grays: CCTV released in collision investigation
Two women were running along Dock Road shortly after 8.10pm on Wednesday 8 November.
They were then in collision with a vehicle at the junction with Marshfoot Road and Old Dock Approach Road.
The car – believed to be a dark-coloured BMW – failed to stop at the scene of the collision, making off along Old Dock Approach Road towards the B149 Wood View.
We are now in a position to release an image of the car (left in the photo).
As the car left the scene at speed, it overtook another, smaller car which we believe is a Ford Fiesta.
We also want to trace the driver of this car (right in the photo) and speak to them as a witness and are also releasing an image of this car. Read more
Waltham Abbey: Two convicted of grievous bodily harm after shooting
Two men have been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent after a man was shot with a shotgun. Read more
Southend: Three jailed after violent attack
Officers responded to an incident shortly before 4.25am on 11 October 2022 following reports of a disturbance in York Road.
Three drug dealers - including two brothers - who were brought to justice by detectives from our serious crime directorate have been jailed for a combined 29 years years after a violent attack in Southend. Read more
Canvey: Tributes to 'live wire with the biggest heart' after fatal collision
The 20-year-old suffered serious injuries and, sadly, later died in hospital following a collision involving an E-scooter and a van on Friday 27 October. Read more
Grays: Renewed appeal after two injured in serious collision
Our officers were on the scene of a collision in Dock Road, at the junction with Marshfoot Road, shortly after 8.15pm on Wednesday 8 November. Read more
Clacton: Man admits murdering wife after violent attack at their home
John Berry called 999 after carrying out the attack on his wife Edna in Turpins Close shortly before 1pm on Tuesday 21 February. Read more
Woodham Mortimer: Cyclist injured in collision
A bicycle and a silver Ford Focus with a licence plate beginning with an 'L' were involved in a collision in Tom Tit Lane on 15 October at around 1.40pm.
The cyclist sustained a fractured collar bone and the car left the scene.
If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. Read more
Leigh-on-Sea: Murder investigation
Detectives have charged a 54-year-old man with murder following the death of a woman in Leigh-on-Sea.
We were called to Whitehouse Meadows, Leigh-on-Sea at around 9pm on Tuesday 7 November following a report of an assault.
When police attended, they located a woman who had sustained serious injuries in the garden of a property.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics at the scene, the woman aged 60s was declared dead.
Kevin Shepherd, 54 of Whitehouse Meadows, Leigh-on-Sea, will appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday 9 November, charged with murder. Read more
Southend: Appeal after robbery
A woman was assaulted and robbed outside Greggs on Southend High Street on Saturday 11 November at around 11:10pm when she was approached by another woman.
She was assaulted and knocked unconscious before having her purse stolen.
The suspect is described as a white woman, 5ft 7ins tall, in her late 30s, with brown hair in a bun, and wearing a purple jacket with black squares on the shoulder, and black trousers. Read more
Nitrous Oxide now a Class C drug
From 8 November 2023 nitrous oxide will be classified as a Class C drug. It will be illegal to posses for the purpose of getting high. Read more
Colchester: officers arrest 12 on suspicion of shoplifting
In the past week, Essex Police officers arrested 20 people on suspicion of shoplifting. Twelve people were arrested in the Colchester district between Monday 30 October and Sunday 5 November for shop theft* - that's 60% of the total.
And 14 were subsequently charged with theft offences and other related matters.
Four were arrested in Basildon and one in each of Chelmsford, Epping Forest, Southend and Tendring.
Sergeant Christian Denning says:
“Most shop theft investigations are carried out by officers locally to bring offenders to justice.
“But our team reviews every shoplifting case and, where we believe a CBO would be justified to help to protect retail staff from repeated abuse from offenders and stores from recurrent offending, we work with our local colleagues to apply to the courts for them.
“As well as banning offenders for an extended period of time from the stores they have been targeting, CBOs can include conditions which seek to help divert offenders from their criminal behaviour.”
Stock: Appeal after fatal collision
The parents of a boy who sadly died after being involved in a collision in Stock have paid tribute to their “beautiful boy Freddie”.
Freddie Coleman, 15, sustained fatal injuries during the incident, in Stock Road, shortly after 8.20am on Friday 3 November.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.
He has since been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue. This means, the investigation is still active and progressing.
In a statement, his parents Jason and Jo said:
“Our beautiful boy Freddie, a much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew and uncle sadly died on 3 November at 8.30am
“He was loved by everybody who knew him, our kind happy funny boy.
“Please respect our privacy during this dreadful time.”
A second teenage boy was taken to hospital as a result of the incident for treatment for serious injuries.
We continue to appeal for anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage of it to come forward to speak to us. Read more
Basildon: Two arrests after pursuit
Officers were alerted to a car near to the junction of the A130 and A1245 at 6.20pm yesterday, which was linked to a theft from a shop and threats made to staff. Read more
Basildon: Motorcyclist disqualified thanks to his own footage
A 24-year-old motorcyclist from Basildon who admitted dangerous driving has been disqualified after the camera footage he shot of himself riding his “superbike” was used to prosecute him.
Roads Policing officer Police Constable Danny Wheeler, who led the investigation, said:
“There is no doubt that the rider drove in a dangerous manner that day, using the public roads of Chelmsford as a racetrack with no consideration for himself and the safety of other road users.
“At one point, he nearly collided into a roundabout.
“The footage was horrific, so much so, that during interview, the rider admitted that even he was shocked by it and admitted he’d been foolish.”
The court ordered no separate penalty for two other charges relating to the unlawful registration plate that didn’t conform with DVLA regulations. Read more
Chelmsford: Man jailed after six assaults sparked thorough investigation
Officers with Chelmsford’s Town Centre Team acted quickly to respond to reports of women and girls being threatened and assaulted. Read more
Nine more arrests tackling domestic, sexual, and theft offences
Officers made arrests in Southend and Basildon in connection with investigations into domestic, sexual, and violent offences.
Two more arrests were made in Basildon for driving and theft offences after a vehicle failed to stop for officers.
A woman was arrested in the Braintree district in connection with a series of burglaries.
Meanwhile there were also arrests in Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers for drug driving offences. Read more
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex
Enter events here in this format for next 7 days:
Monday 13 November
11am to 12pm
Debden Village Shop, Mill Road, Debden
3pm to 4pm
Holland Library, Public Hall, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea.
Tuesday 14 November
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee, Highbridge Retail Park, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1BY
6pm to 7pm
Fingringhoe Village Hall, Chapel Road, Fingringhoe, O5 7BH
Wednesday 15 November
10am to 11am
Hullbridge Parish Council, 98 Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Hockley SS5 6EX
10am to 11am
Church House, Church Street, Newport
1pm to 2pm
1 Cage Lane, Boxted Cross, Colchester
3pm to 4pm
Co-op, Church Road, Stansted
Thursday 16 November
10am to 12pm
The Wells Pavilion, Purleigh Playing Field, Howe Green Road, Purleigh
10am to 11am
Alton Garden Centre Arterial Road, Wickford SS12 9JG
10am to 11am
Walton Library, High Street, Walton on Naze.
Friday 17 November
12pm to 1pm
The Parade, Colchester CO2 8LY
3pm to 4pm
Co-op, Church Road, Stansted
Saturday 18 November
11am to 12pm
Sainsburys, Cricketers Retail Park, Cricketers Way, Basildon SS13 1SA
11am to 1pm
Scotie's of Southend, Sutton Road, Rochford SS4 1LQ
11am to 12pm
Essex Wildlife Trust, Naze Nature Discovery Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton on Naze.
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
Catalytic converter theft
Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals & can be removed in less than a minute.
Although catalytic converter thefts are increasing, there are steps that you can take to protect your vehicle.
To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.
Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.
You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of.
Be fraud smart
Auction and online marketplaces are a great way to get a good deal. Most items are genuine, but fraudsters use these sites to offer high value items like electronics or designer goods.
Check the seller or buyer’s review history and feedback from other reviewers. Beware of accounts that may have been set up very recently with lots of favourable feedback that sounds similar.
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Contact Handlers (part time) £16,103 per annum
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This week we remember
Alex Scott
Alexander 'Alex' Simpson Scott
Alexander Scott served with Essex County Constabulary from 1 June 1934. He became a motor patrol driver at Headquarters, qualifying as a first class driver and wireless operator.
When war began, traffic officers were armed with revolvers and given the extra job of guarding HQ. Teams of three men worked a 24 hour shift, taking it in turns to watch for fires and guard the front and back of the main buildings.
During a night raid on London, one German plane turned back towards Chelmsford and dropped its shrapnel bombs on HQ: Alex Scott was one of two officers killed.
Maurice Lee
Maurice George 'Dixie' Lee
Maurice Lee served with Essex County Constabulary from November 6, 1935. He was working at HQ one evening in November 1940 when a German bomber returning from a raid on London dropped a number of shrapnel bombs. One fell under the clock tower, one in the Chief Constable's garden, and the others in nearby fields. Dixie Lee and Alex Scott were two of the officers on guard duty that night and both were fatally injured.
Dixie Lee died later in the day at Chelmsford Hospital aged 29.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
Saturday 11 November 11am - Essex Police Headquarters
Officers, staff and volunteers across Essex Police observed the two minute silence as an act of remembrance for Armistice Day.