Essex Police Dispatch - issue 149
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 29 April to 5 May
Class of 2024: Congratulations to our new police dogs
We welcomed three newly qualified police dogs into the Essex Police family this week after PD Cooper, PD Quando and PD Obi became our Dog Unit’s newest licensed dogs.
Family and friends joined the German Shepherd trio and their handlers at a special ceremony on Wednesday 1 May, where the dogs took part in a passing out parade and treated everyone to a display of their new policing skills.
Southend: Arrests following stabbing
Detectives investigating a serious assault in Southend have made two further arrests.
A 19 year-old woman was found with multiple, potentially life-changing injuries, at St Marys Court, Victoria Avenue shortly before 4am on Monday 29 April.
On Friday 3 May, detectives arrested a 26 year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and a 39 year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Both remain in custody for questioning.
The arrests follow five other arrests in connection with the investigation.
Previously, three men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent and a 16 year-old boy from Southend was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. All five have been bailed until mid-July.
Enquiries remain ongoing within Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate and detectives are continuing to appeal for the public’s support with the investigation.
High Ongar: Tributes to motorcyclist
Tributes have been paid to a motorcyclist who died following a collision in High Ongar last month.
Officers were called to Chelmsford Road, close to the junction with The Street at around 5:35pm on Saturday, 13 April following a collision involving a car and a motorcycle.
Sadly, the motorcyclist, 42-year-old Kristof Van Assche died at the scene.
His family have today paid tribute to him saying:
“Our family is devastated by the sudden loss of Kristof.
“He was a loving father to two children, a husband, son and brother.
“We would appreciate privacy during this time whilst we grieve.”
Enquiries into the circumstances of the collision remain ongoing within our Serious Collision investigation Unit.
Chelmsford: Two charged following stabbing
Two teenagers have been charged with GBH with intent following work by detectives into a stabbing in Chelmsford.
We were called to Avon Road at about 8.25pm on Tuesday 30 April to reports of an assault where an 18-year-old was left with life-threatening injuries.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics before he was taken to hospital. Thankfully, his condition is no longer believed to be life-threatening.
Two 16 year-old boys from Chelmsford were arrested the following day and have now been charged with GBH with intent.
They both attended Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 3 May.
Harlow: The Stow chosen as Essex's first Clear, Hold, Build project site
The Stow in Harlow will be the first area in the county to benefit from a national scheme to reduce crime and regenerate impacted neighbourhoods.
Clear, Hold, Build is a Home Office initiative that brings police and public services together to tackle offending and address underlying issues affecting communities.
The aim is to produce sustained, long-term change in places that have been blighted by serious and organised crime by pursuing offenders, breaking up and dispersing gangs, and creating strong, resilient neighbourhoods.
Chelmsford: Judge praises officers’ ‘skill and commitment’ as drug dealers are sentenced
A member of an organised crime group involved in the supply of illicit drugs in Chelmsford has been jailed after officers were able to unequivocally prove he was directing the operation.
Jordan Sweeney was jailed for three years today, Thursday 2 May, after admitting two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.
And because of the strength of evidence against him, he also accepted he was playing a significant role in the operation, which raised the judge’s starting point for sentencing.
Victim Andy Wood
Chelmsford: Man found guilty of manslaughter following death of 16-year-old boy
A 20-year-old man has been found guilty of manslaughter, following the death of a boy in Chelmsford in February 2023.
Elijah Clark, 20 of Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 2 May, where following a four-week-trial he was found guilty of manslaughter and actual bodily harm.
An investigation was launched by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 12 February 2023 after a boy was seriously assaulted close to a park in Waterson Vale in Chelmsford. The victim, 16-year-old Andy Wood was taken to hospital where he sadly died.
Elijah Clark was quickly identified as being at the scene around the time of the assault. He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later arrested and charged with murder.
Following a four-week trial, Clark was found guilty of manslaughter and actual bodily harm. The jury found him not guilty of murder. A sentencing date is yet to be set.
Southend: Appeal following serious assault
We are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Southend.
Officers were called to North Avenue in Southend at around on Wednesday 1 May following reports of a boy sustaining serious injuries to his arm and head.
The 16-year-old victim has been taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
No arrests have been made but detectives within our Criminal Investigation Department are carrying out extensive enquiries.
Chelmsford: Man jailed after probe into keyless car thefts
An investigation into a series of car thefts across Chelmsford has seen a prolific offender brought to justice and sentenced.
Jay Hennessey, 19, of Chelmsford, was jailed on Tuesday 1 May after he admitted to his role stealing numerous cars across the area.
We launched an investigation after a series of vehicle thefts carried out between 30 September and 31 December last year in Chelmsford.
These thefts were all keyless and included the targeting of Ford Fiesta and EcoSport models and Range Rovers.
Evidence gathered showed Hennessy responsible for theft of five of these vehicles, and the further attempted theft of another.
Breaking down borders: joint operation to tackle vehicle crime
In a three-day operation, Essex Police joined nine other forces in a co-ordinated response to tackling cross-border vehicle crime. 23-25 April 2024
Read more
Rochford: Charges follow investigation into theft from vehicles
The charges relate to reports of entry being made into vehicles between March and April this year in Rochford.
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 6 May
10:30am to 11:30am
The Orchards Cafe, Mascalls Way, Great Baddow, Chelmsford
Tuesday 7 May
10am to 12pm
St Andrews Parish Church, Chignal Road, Chelmsford
10am to 12pm
Good Easter St Andrews Church, Souther, Cross Road, Chelmsford
10am to 12pm
Jubilee Hub, 3 Hill Street, Saffron Walden
10:30am to 12pm
Witham Town Hall, Heritage Suite
11am to 12:30pm
ASDA, North Shoebury Road, Shoeburyness
12pm to 2pm
The village Hall, Latchingdon, Chelmsford CM3 6EU
12pm to 2pm
The Megacentre Rayleigh, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7UT
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Tiptree Tea Rooms, Wilkin And Sons Ltd, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester
1pm to 2pm
Longacres Homelands Retail Park, Cuton Hall Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Asda, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh SS6 9RN
Wednesday 8 May
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
10:30am to 11:30am
Jaywick Community & Resource Centre, Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick.
11am to 12pm
Ashfields, Green street, Great Canfield
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Tesco Great Dunmow, Stortford Road, Great Dunmow
2:45pm to 3:15pm
Westborough School, MacDonald Avenue, Westcliff,
Thursday 9 May
10am to 11am
Dainteas Tea Room, Dunmow Road, High Roding
10am to 12pm
St Andrews Parish Church, Chignal Road, Chelmsford
10:45am to 11:45am
Grays Library, Thameside Complex Orsett Road, Grays
11am to 1pm
The Harvey Centre, Harlow, CM20 1XR
11am to 12pm
The Council Offices, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea.
11:30am to 12:30pm
Wood Cottage Tea Room, Felstead, Dunmow
2pm to 3pm
Takeley Park, Station Road, Takeley
6pm to 8pm
Youth Club, Chelmsford Community Church, Trent Road, Chelmsford
Friday 10 May
10am to 11am
M&S Food, Brook Park West, T Grove, Clacton on sea.
11am to 12pm
Old School Cafe, Takeley
3pm to 3:30pm
West Leigh Junior School, 59 Ronald Hill Grove, Leigh on sea
6pm to 6:30pm
Eastwood Park, 30 Mansell Close, Leigh on sea
Saturday 11 May
9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
10am to 2pm
St John's Church, St John's Road, Epping
10:30am to 11:30am
Quadrant Department Store, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
Manor House Tea Rooms, Southminster Road, Southminster, Chelmsford CM3 6YH
11am to 1pm
Unit 17, The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham
11am to 12pm
Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey EN9 3EL
6pm to 7pm
Co-op, White Street, Great Dunmow
Sunday 12 May
10am to 12pm
Pier to pier walk, Walton on Naze.
10:30am to 11:30am
The Martello Lounge, The Promenade, Clacton on Sea.
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
Crime prevention
Burglars sometimes target windows as they can offer easier access than doors.
Check how your windows look from the outside, removing potential access points where you can.
Are there walls, bins or garden furniture that could be used to reach windows?
Be fraud smart
Email and social media account hacking is the most commonly reported cyber-dependent crime in the UK.
Want to keep the hackers out?
Email and social media account passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords.
Enable 2-step verification (2SV)
Join our team
Police staff jobs
Business Advisor £33,915
Financial Investigator £39,036
Scrutiny Officer £33,915
Practice Nurse Team Leader £41,928
Evidence Recovery Technician £24,921
Business Service Assistant £23,121
Criminal Justice Administrator £24,921
Detention Officers £28,409 to £32,335
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
Meet DC Paula Doyle
Meet DC Paula Doyle who works within the Essex Police Major Investigations Team.
This week we remember
Herbert Bert Edward Charles Pegrum
Herbert served with Southend Borough Constabulary from 23 June 1932. He enlisted with the Royal Horse Artillery in 1924 serving in Egypt until 1931. He then worked as a labourer, married and then joined the Southend Force.
He was mobilised to the army on 1 December 1939, transferred to the Corps of Military Police and died from lymphatic leukemia, at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth on Tuesday 6 May 1941.
Thomas George Joyce
Thomas Joyce was a gardener before he joined Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary as a Constable. He transferred to Southend-On-Sea Constabulary on October 1, 1914 and resigned on March 30, 1915 having joined the Coldstream Guards. He was killed in battle on May 11, 1916.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
Obituaries
John Green
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague John Green who retired as a Constable in 1993 and served at Grays & Harlow. He leaves a widow Mary.
He passed away on 27 April 2024 aged 87 years.