Essex Police Dispatch - issue 138
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 12 February to 18 February
Photo: Simon Dawson/10 Downing Street
Prime Minister hails success of Essex ASB hotspot pilot on visit to Harlow
Anti-social behaviour in Essex has fallen by 38.5% in the last 12 months with 9,416 fewer offences recorded. Read more
Colchester: Two officers attacked
The officers were responding to reports of an incident involving three people in North Station Road, shortly after 10.30pm on Saturday 17 February. Read more
Grays: Two arrested and items seized after burglary
We were alerted to an aggravated burglary in Boxton Road, Grays, at about 9.30am on Thursday 15 February. Read more
Chelmsford: Serial domestic abuser jailed
Liam Middle, of Welland Avenue, made his victim fear for their life over a period of ten years. Read more
Harlow: Ten charges in vehicle interference investigation
Ten reports of vehicle interference in the Gilden Park area were reported us in late January and early February. Read more
25 burglary arrests in one week in Essex
These 25 people were arrested in connection to 148 offences – with some questioned in connection with the same offence, and many questioned about several offences.
Among those charged in this week is 18-year-old Kian O’Connor, of Romford Road in Aveley. Read more
Harlow: Man charged after £14,000 of drugs located
Officers with Op Raptor Harlow executed a warrant at an address in London on Thursday February 15. Read more
Witham: Man charged with robbery and burglary
We were alerted to the incidents shortly after 6.30pm on 3 January after a man in Pelly Avenue. Read more
Chelmsford: Dealer jailed for operating as 'unlicensed chemist'
In excess of 50,000 pills and tablets of varying types, stashed in tool boxes, were discovered at the Chelmsford address. Read more
Harlow: Prolific shoplifter convicted
Meat and washing products were taken from the Co-op store in the High Street on multiple occasions between 18 December and 11 February. Read more
Chelmsford: Ex-police officer convicted of sexual assault
A former Essex Police officer has been convicted of sexual assault following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Read more
Man who ignored Essex BP service station banning order is jailed
Jon Lee several times from BP service stations despite being banned from entering any in Essex. Read more
Brentwood: Man dies following collision
A black Volkswagen Golf and a blue BMW 320i in Doddinghurst Road, near the Brentwood Leisure Centre, at 7.35pm on Friday 2 February. Read more
Harlow: Three charged with attempted murder
Officers have enforced a Section 60 order, increasing powers to stop and search individuals within a specific area. Read more
Essex Police secure first 'Cyber-flashing' conviction in the country
An Essex Police team, who manage sexual offenders and violent offenders, have secured a conviction for the first ‘cyber-flashing’ offence in the country. Read more
Birchanger: Four arrests of service station theft
Four men have been arrested and stolen goods worth more than £100,000 has been recovered in connection with an investigation into a large scale theft last year. Read more
Colchester: Investigation launched into man's death
We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at St Johns Car Park shortly after 8.30am on Wednesday 14 February. Read more
Westcliff: Man charged after £50k of drugs found
Officers executed a warrant in Hamlet Court Road on Tuesday morning (13 February) as part of an investigation into the sale of cannabis. Read more
Grays: Four arrests and stolen vehicle parts recovered
Reacting quickly following information received, local officers, supported by the Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit (SVIU), attended an address in Askews Farm Lane on Monday 12 February. Read more
Another 30 arrested for shoplifting across Essex
Twenty people have been charged with 40 shop theft offences, with three also charged with related assaults. Read more
Six arrests made by Operational Support Group
Six more arrests have been made by specialist officers working to keep you safe in our communities across the county. Read more
Shoebury: Man found guilty of attempted murder
A man has been found guilty of attempting to murder his friend in Shoeburyness last May. Read more
Colchester: Three arrested in stolen vehicles investigation
Speedy enquiries led us to believe the vehicles had been stolen and may be being driven using false registration plates. Read more
Helping to keep Essex public transport passengers safe
Our officers are working with transport safety officers specially-trained to deal with anti-social behaviour and promote passenger safety. Read more
High Beech: Appeal following serious sexual assault
Officers investigating a serious sexual assault, which took place in High Beech on New Years Eve are appealing for the public’s help. Read more
Southend: Drug dealer jailed for five years after causing collision
Southend Local Policing Team officers made an arrest after a collision in Royston Avenue, Southend, on 7 January. Read more
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 19 February
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
10am to 11am
Starbucks, Greyhound Way, Southend
10am to 12pm
Nationwide, High Street, Great Dunmow
10am to 11am
Laklands Centre Western Approach, Stanway, Colchester
10am to 11am
Billericay Community Hub, High Street, Billericay CM12 9BQ
12pm to 1pm
Cafe@ The Square, Cluny Square, Southend
2pm to 3pm
Orleto Lounge, 2 East Square, Basildon SS14 1HS
4pm to 5pm
Eastwood Community Centre, Western Approaches, Eastwood
Tuesday 20 February
10am to 11am
Oasis Cafe, Frinton Free Church, Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea.
10:45am to 11:45am
Rochford Banking Hub, West Street, Rochford SS4 1AJ
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee, 2 Victoria Road, Buckhurst Hill
11am to 12pm
Havens, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff
11am to 12pm
Cold Norton Village Hall, Cherry Blossom Lane Cold Norton, Chelmsford CM3 6JQ
1:30pm to 2:30pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
2pm to 3pm
Esquires, Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend
7:30pm to 8:30pm
Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend
Wednesday 21 February
10am to 11am
Gossip, 14 High Street, Great Wakering SS3 0EQ
10am to 11am
Henham Community Shop, High Street, Henham
7pm to 8pm
Residents meeting, The Brambles, Eastern Avenue, Southend
Thursday 22 February
9:30am to 10:30am
Mothers Kitchen, 6 Felmores End, Basildon SS13 1PN
10am to 1pm
Outside Primark in the High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford
10am to 11am
Hullbridge Parish Council, 98 Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Hockley SS5 6EX
10:30am to 12pm
Cafe, Quadrant Department Store, Braintree
2pm to 3pm
Outside Earls Hall Parade Shops, Earls Hall Parade, Southend
3pm to 4pm
Stansted Library, The Exchange, Stansted, CM24 8 AQ
6pm to 7pm
Mcdonalds, 266 Eastern Avenue, Southchurch,
Friday 23 February
10am to 11am
Harwich Market, High Street, Dovercourt.
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Road, Hockley SS5 4BE
10am to 12pm
Walton food bank, Standley Road, Walton on Naze.
1pm to 2pm
Meals matter, Oasis Cafe, Frinton Free Church, Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea.
5pm to 6pm
Co-op, Church Road, Stansted
Saturday 24 February
10am to 12pm
Co-op, White Street, Great Dunmow
10am to 12pm
The Council Offices, The Watershed, Chapel Road, Burnham-On-Crouch CM0 8JA
10:30am to 11:30am
Manningtree Market, Market Place, Manningtree.
11am to 12pm
Alton Garden Centre Arterial Road, Wickford SS12 9JG
Sunday 25 February
10:30am 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.
Don't give burglars the tools they need
Help stop burglars from finding the tools they need to break into your home.
Consider a battery-operated shed alarm.
They look low key, but they respond to movement or door contact with an extremely loud siren.
Be fraud smart
Do you know the signs of romance fraud?
Last year in Essex, victims of romance fraud were defrauded of more than £1.7m - that’s an average of almost £8,000 for every victim.
Scammers will make conversation more personal to get information out of you.
They’ll steer you to private channels like email and texting to isolate you from other people
They will target your emotions with emotional stories to get you to give them money.
Never send money to someone you’ve never met or don’t actually know and trust.
Stay alert to the signs and stay safe when dating online
Join our team
Police staff jobs
Head of Strategic Analysis £58,521
Investigation Support Officer £27,789
People Development Partner £45,546
Roads Policing Prosecutions Support Officer £24,921
Geographical Facilities Assistant £30,783
Detention Officers £28,409 to £32,335
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
This week we remember
Sidney Leslie Dodd
Sidney Dodd joined Essex County Constabulary on September 1, 1949 and became a detached beat officer at Horndon-on-the-Hill. One of Sidney's particular concerns was road safety, and he often visited the local schools in his own time where the children affectionately called him 'Uncle Sid'. One Sunday evening on 24 February 1957, Sidney Dodd was cycling along the Stanford-le-Hope bypass when he was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
Obituaries
Roger Culham
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Roger Culham who retired as a Constable in 1992 and served with the Southend Borough, Westcliff on Sea, Benfleet and Canvey Island. After retirement he worked a further 23 years as a Warrant Officer. He passed away on the 3rd January 2024 aged 81 years.
Jack Mealing
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague Jack Mealing who retired as a constable in 1989 and served at Parsons Heath, Colchester & Stanway Traffic. He passed away on 10 February 2024 aged 91 years.
The funeral service will take place on Thursday 7 March 2024 at 12.15pm, at Colchester Crematorium.