Essex Police Dispatch - issue 166
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 26 August to 1 September
Grays: Man dies following collision
A man has died following a collision in Grays.
We were called to reports a grey Volkswagen Golf had been in collision with parked cars in Bridge Road at around 8.45am on Saturday 31 August.
Sadly, the man, who is in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The road had been closed while we investigated and recovered the vehicle but it has now re-opened.
If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
Please quote incident 316 of 31 August.
Bocking: Family of missing Martyn Richardson plea for him to come home
“Please get in touch, we love you and just want you home safe” – that’s from the family of Martyn Richardson who was reported missing a week ago.
Martyn was last seen in the Bocking area at around 8.30pm on Saturday 24 August and reported missing when he hadn’t returned home the following day.
He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a long-sleeved top underneath with a stripe down the arms, black fleece shorts, and black shoes.
He also had a blue bike with him.
Since then officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries, studied CCTV to identify his last known movements, and carried out search activity on land and in water.
Martyn’s bike was found on Tuesday (27 August) in fields near to the river Blackwater to the east of Church Lane.
Studying CCTV, we know Martyn had been in Church Street at 8.25pm on the 24th and we have been carrying out enquiries to establish his movements after this point.
We need anyone who has CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell cameras in this area at around that time to check them and contact us if they have any information.
Car crime has fallen in Essex
As part of a dedicated response to vehicle thefts and to target those involved in organised crime, we have seen a reduction in the number of vehicles stolen.
In the last three months to end of July, there has been an 8.8% reduction in reported vehicle thefts compared to the same period last year: that’s 135 less victims of crime.
Harlow: Two men charged with drug offences
Two men have been charged with drug offences following a series of warrants in Harlow.
Ricky Brinkly, 24, of Mallows Green, Harlow, and Charlie Adcock, 19, of Spinning Wheel Mead, Harlow, have both been charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.
They appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday 29 August and were remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 26 September.
Four warrants were executed at locations in Harlow on Wednesday 28 August as part of our Clear, Hold, Build initiative.
Southend: Two teens sought in connection with disorder
Can you help us identify these two teenagers in connection with an incident of violent disorder in Southend?
Braintree: Man charged with drugs offences
Officers investigating the supply of drugs in Braintree have charged a man.
As part of this investigation officers attended an address in Witham on Wednesday 28 August and arrested a 25 year-old man.
Jamie Jaggers, of Ness Walk, Witham, has now been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and being concerned in the supply of heroin.
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 29 August and is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 23 September.
South Woodham Ferrers: Family pay tribute to Janet Susan Finch, 66
A family paid tribute to a “selfless” and “inspirational mother” who died following a fatal collision in South Woodham Ferrers.
Detectives continue to investigate the death of Janet Susan Finch following a collision on the A132, Burnham Road, South Woodham Ferrers.
The collision, involving a lorry and a car, occurred shortly before 4pm on Tuesday 13 August.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Janet died at the scene.
Janet was a kind person who lived her life selflessly, putting the needs of others before her own.
A truly remarkable, strong, independent soul, who was sadly taken from her friends and family on 13 August.
She was a loving caring partner, a solid, inspirational mother and gentle nurturing grandmother.
Janet loved all her family including her brother, nieces and nephews and she leaves behind a vast community of friends who she loved and who loved her.
You were taken from us all far too early, yet your memory will live on in us all for years to come.
Rest in peace, Mum.
"Paula still inspires": charity walk in memory of colleague
Paula continues to inspire, Southend Specials raised £700 for Havens Hospices, fund-raising walk, memory, colleague, Special Constable Paula Butteriss, recently lost her battle with cancer, August 2024.
Southend: Two arrests in Live Facial Recognition deployment
Officers made two more arrests – including one for sexual assault - as a result of our new Live Facial Recognition technology when it deployed in Southend this weekend.
The deployment on the seafront and in the high street on Sunday (25 August) and Bank Holiday Monday (26 August) was the second since we purchased the technology.
During the first deployment at the Clacton Airshow on Thursday and Friday last week (22 and 23 August), there were five positive alerts leading to three arrests.
In Southend, there were also five positive alerts which resulted in two arrests – one for harassment and one for sexual assault.
In the other instance, a voluntary interview was arranged.
Colchester: More than two years in jail for suffocating woman
A Mersea man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to suffocating a woman.
Nicholas Dimopoulos, 31, of Empress Avenue in Mersea Island, pleaded guilty to non-fatal suffocation and causing actual bodily harm during a nine-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
The charges were in relation to an assault police were called to in the Blackheath area of Colchester on 4 February 2024.
At the scene officers found the victim had sustained several injuries to her face, including two swollen black eyes.
Officers tracked down Dimopoulos, and he was charged by police on 1 March 2024 and remanded in custody.
Marine Unit helps yacht in distress
A yachtsman rescued in heavy seas off Clacton by our Marine Unit has praised the officers’ bravery.
Roy Harris and his partner Caroline Wilson were sailing back to the River Crouch from Kent on Sunday 25 August when a storm whipped up unexpectedly.
With his yacht, the Samphire, taking on water and its jib sheet (sail rope) torn, Mr Harris radioed a PAN-PAN message to alert nearby boats and emergency services that their vessel had an urgent problem.
Sergeant Alex Southgate, PC John Perry and special constable Scott Mccabe were on Operation Wave-Breaker patrols in the force rib Sentinel when they picked up the distress call. Working with the Dover Coastguard Operations Centre, they located the 40ft-yacht near Gunfleet Sands off-shore windfarm, four miles off Clacton.
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 2 September
10am to 11am
Kingsland Church 86 London Road, CO3 9DW
10am to 11am
Morrisons Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
11am to 12pm
Morrisons - 175 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet
Tuesday 3 September
10am to 11am
M&S Food, Unit 1, Brook Park West, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 11am
The Council Offices, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea.
10am to 11am
Dainteas Tea Room, Dunmow Road, High Roding
10am to 12pm
St Peters Church, Claughton Way, Hutton,
11am to 12pm
Great Tarpots library, 127 London Road, South Benfleet, Benfleet
Wednesday 4 September
10am to 2pm
Broomfield Hospital Atrium, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
10am to 11am
Jaywick Community & Resource Centre, Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick.
10am to 11am
Costa Coffee 76/78 High Street, Billericay CM12 9BT
11am to 12pm
Tea on the Heath, Pond Lane, Hatfield Heath
11am to 12pm
Knightswick centre, Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island
11am to 12pm
Ashfields, Green Street, Great Canfield
2pm to 3pm
Ockendon centre, Derry Avenue
Thursday 5 September
10am to 1pm
St Peters Church, Claughton Way, Hutton,
11am to 12pm
Costa Coffee, Highbridge Retail Park, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1BY
11am to 12pm
Fyfield Village Hall, Houchin Drive, Ongar
11am to 12pm
Outside Marks& Spencer 62 High Street, Chelmsford
1pm to 2pm
Miracle House, Silver Island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
3pm to 4pm
Hadleigh library, 180 London Road Hadleigh, Benfleet
3:00pm to 4:00pm
Hadleigh Library, 180 London Road Hadleigh, Benfleet
Friday 6 September
9am to 10:30am
Touchpoint, 72 Chapel Hill, Stansted
10am to 11:30am
Pams Place, Vicarage Mead, Thaxted
Saturday 7 September
9am to 11am
Gunpowder Park Run, Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey
9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
10am to 3pm
Outside Southend Police Station, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea
10am to 11am
Quadrant Department Store, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
Crime prevention advice
A thorny problem
Small changes to your garden could help make your home more secure.
Trellis, thorny plants, or a suitable anti-climb topping such as plastic spikes make it difficult for anyone climbing over a fence or gate whilst minimising injury.
Keep your bike safe and secure
If you’ve ever had your bicycle stolen, you’ll know how upsetting it can be. But there are measures you can take to help keep your bike safe and out of the hands of thieves.
Our top tips are:
Double lock it - Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target
Lock the lot - Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand
Mark it - Get your bike security marked. It’s a highly effective, visible deterrent to thieves
Be fraud smart
Criminals use fake emails pretending to be from online retailers to gain access to your details.
Informing you your account has been locked and asking you to follow an 'identification process' by clicking on a link.
Which will take you to a phishing website that has been made to look authentic with the logos and other images but has been designed to steal your login credentials.
You can always check a message like this is genuine by visiting the site directly and not clicking on any links provided.
Join our team
Police staff jobs
Intelligence Researcher £27,789
Intelligence Clerk £22,140
Contact Centre Officers £24,921 to 27,351
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
From murders and serious organised crime to kidnappings, sexual offences, fatal collisions, drug dealing, and violent crime, Essex Police detectives face it all.
Every day brings new challenges and no two days are the same. With a variety of investigative roles to choose from, our detectives enjoy a dynamic and fulfilling career, with extensive opportunities, whilst working in their community.
Our detectives’ outstanding achievements often make headlines, highlighting their amazing work, and proving that Essex is the place to be for a rewarding career.
If you know an officer who works in a different force and might be interested - forward them Dispatch.
This week we remember
Brian Arthur Rippingale
Brian Rippingale was a police cadet who joined Essex County Constabulary on 17 September, 1959. He was based at Clacton and Harlow, becoming a first class advanced driver and moved to HQ Traffic in March 1964.
On 2 September 1968, Brian Rippingale and a colleague were patrolling in heavy traffic on the A12 at Feering. They saw a motor cycle with no lights in the outside lane going towards London. He and his colleague followed the rider, and challenged him to stop over the public address system. It was soon seen that the tax on the motor cycle did not relate to that vehicle, and while details were being checked over the radio the motor cyclist ran off. Brian chased the rider across the A12, and was killed by an estate car as he ran over the fast lane. The motor cyclist was arrested two days later.
Percy Unsworth Battle
Percy Battle served with Essex County Constabulary from December 1, 1910 in Brentwood and Chelmsford before being recalled to his comrades at Chelsea Barracks. He died in action on September 4, 1914 and is buried at ‘The Guards’ Grave’ in Villers Cotterets Forest. He is also commemorated at St Andrew’s church in Marks Tey.
Joseph Watt
Joseph Watt served with Essex County Constabulary from 2 April 1906. On 27 August 1913 Joseph was on duty in Romford High Street when he saw a runaway horse drawing a four wheeled van coming towards him. The horse had been startled by a motorbus while it was having a nosebag, and one man had already been injured in trying to stop the terrified animal. As the horse drew level, he managed to grab its mane, running beside it while he tried to bring it to a halt.
Sadly he caught his foot on the pavement and fell beneath the van wheels. He died later from his injuries on 8 September 1913.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.