Essex Police Dispatch - issue 174
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 21 October to 27 October
Safeguarding vulnerable children & young people on public transport
Our officers work to raise awareness at Essex bus and rail stations of the vulnerability of children and young people to exploitation and abuse.
Essex Safeguarding Children Board says research shows children and young people can be exploited when using transport networks.
They may use trains, buses or taxis in an attempt to disappear, while offenders may use rail and bus networks to traffic young people for sexual and criminal exploitation. And rail stations are anonymous places which provide shelter and access to food and drink.
Chief officer issues warning to burglars
“We will pursue those criminals who think they can commit burglary in Essex and bring them before the courts to face justice.”
This is the stern warning this week from Superintendent Tim Tubbs - the force’s strategic lead for burglary.
'When You Are Ready’ campaign: support for child abuse survivors
Essex Police is supporting a new national campaign that focuses on encouraging victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation to reach out for support.
‘When You Are Ready’, launched by the national Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce, has been fully informed by those with lived experience from start to finish, hopes to make victims and survivors feel seen and heard, to know they’re not alone and encourage them to tell a friend, contact a support organisation and feel empowered to take that step, whenever they’re ready to do so.
Chelmsford: Two arrested after warrant executed at farm
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of animal welfare offences after a warrant was executed at a farm on the outskirts of Chelmsford.
Officers from our Operational Support Group, the Force Support Unit, Chelmsford Community Policing Team (CPT) and Rural Engagement Team entered the grounds following concerns raised by members of the public about the condition of horses being kept on the land.
They were joined by teams from the RSPCA, member charities from the National Equine Welfare Council, Essex Fire and Rescue, and officials from Chelmsford City Council.
A significant number of horses and dogs in need of care were found on the farm.
The pair arrested at the scene were taken to Harlow Police Station for questioning.
Meet DC Paul Wood
Meet fourth generation Detective Constable, Paul Wood. Paul recently joined our cybercrime team who tackle this fast-evolving crime. He brings with him 20 years of policing experience. Find out why Paul wanted to become a police officer, the most rewarding thing about his job, and what advice he'd give someone to help prevent them becoming a victim of cybercrime.
'39 Vietnamese families trusted us to deliver justice - and we did'
Five years ago, we began an investigation which no police force would ever want to undertake.
In the early hours of Wednesday 23 October 2019, we were alerted to 39 Vietnamese men, women and children who were unresponsive in the trailer of a lorry by its driver Maurice Robinson, in Eastern Avenue, Grays, Essex.
The lorry had travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium to the Port of Purfleet, in Essex.
Each of the 39 victims, and their families, had paid significant sums of money to an organised crime group whose members promised them safe passage to the UK and a life here.
Our investigation, which was carried out alongside a spectrum of public, private and international partners, has been far-reaching and has uncovered an intercontinental human trafficking conspiracy, which has ultimately led to the conviction of 11 people here in the UK, and jail sentenced of almost 120 years, as well as 18 people being convicted in France last year.
We remember each of the 39 victims and their families and we reflect on the most complex and far-reaching investigation ever undertaken in Essex.
Working to help stop criminals from defrauding our communities
The Essex Multi-Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) continues to work to stop criminals from defrauding our communities.
Earlier this year our Economic Crime Unit worked with Havering Trading Standards to convict two men for four counts of fraud by false representation. Following these proceedings, our Financial Investigators began investigating how much the pair made from their criminal actions and confiscate this money. £54,171.45 will be paid back as direct compensation to their victims.
The MAAF is represented by partners from across the county. They work together to tackle and reduce fraud in Essex. The partnership looks at ways to be more effective against fraudsters, sharing best practice, and delivering the best support for victims. Online fraud, also referred to as cybercrime, affects both individuals and businesses. According to Action Fraud (September 2023 to September 2024), last year residents in Essex lost £31,700 to cybercrime. These crimes can have a devastating effect on victims. From emotional distress to financial loss. It can leave people feeling isolated and vulnerable.
Disqualified driver in a stolen car and his passenger arrested by solo officer
Thanks to the quick work of our Roads Policing officer, a disqualified driver in a stolen car and his passenger have been arrested.
A Roads Policing Unit officer was on routine patrol on the afternoon of Monday 21 October when he spotted a car believed to cloned, in Crown Lane, Clacton. As he activated the blue lights to request the vehicle stop, the driver sped off with his passenger and a short pursuit followed.
The vehicle only came to a stop after the car left the road and entered a field in in Crown Lane, Weeley. The car rolled over before the two men tried to run off across the field.
Undeterred, the officer gave chase and successfully detained the pair in the field before colleagues arrived.
Both men were arrested and remain in custody for questioning.
From coffee filtering to crime fighting: A journey of dedication
Meet Andrew Smith, an individual at the heart of Essex Police in our Contact Management Centre who transitioned from managing a bustling Costa Coffee shop to serving the community as a dedicated member of Essex Police. Andrew works extremely hard as one of our Police Dispatchers, helping to send the right resources and officers to incidents.
Sean Lawrence, Raymond Cooper and Kenneth Stone
Trio jailed after £1 million ecstasy pill production lab dismantled
Almost 30 years in prison sentences have been passed down on three men involved in the production and supply of vast quantities of MDMA, cocaine and ketamine.
That’s thanks to a years-long investigation by our Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
This investigation culminated in the dismantling of a ecstasy pill manufacturing lab, located inside a lock-up in South Ockendon.
Sean Lawrence, 35, Raymond Cooper, 63, and Kenneth Stone, 34, were arrested in 2021 part of an investigation which we developed as a result of Operation Venetic.
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 28 October
10am to 11am
Billericay Community Hub, High St, Billericay CM12 9BQ
11am to 12pm
Canvey library 2 High Street, Canvey Island
11am to 12pm
Towngate Theatre, St. Martins Square, Basildon SS14 1DL
12pm to 1pm
Havens, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff
Tuesday 29 October
9am to 12pm
Rochford WI Hall, West Street, Rochford SS4 1BE
3pm to 4pm
Costa Coffee, Clacton Common Factory Shopping Village, Stephenson Road W, Clacton on Sea.
4pm to 5pm
Sainsburys Rayleigh Weir - 21 Stadium Way, Benfleet
4pm to 5pm
Co-Op, Sutton Road, Southend,
Wednesday 30 October
10am to 12pm
Farnham Coffee Morning, Farnham
10:30am to 11:30am
Chelmsford Library Chelmsford County Hall, Market Rd, Chelmsford
11am to 12pm
Tilbury Hub, Civic Square
3pm to 3:30pm
Outside Sacred Heart Primary School, Windermere Road, Southend
4pm to 5pm
Victoria Shopping Centre, Chartwell Square, Southend
5pm to 6pm
Lidl, Woodgrange Drive, Southend,
Thursday 31 October
5pm to 6pm
Sainsburys Local, 535 Southchurch Road, Southend
Friday 1 November
10am to 11am
Clements Hall Leisure Centre, Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell SS5 4LN
10:30am to 12pm
Gt Bentley Coffee Morning, Methodist Church, The Green, Gt Bentley.
11:30am to 12:30pm
Community Centre, Tanton Road, Flitch Green
12pm to 1pm
Stebbing Community Shop, High Street, Stebbing
3pm to 4pm
Eversley Leisure Centre, Crest Ave, Basildon
3pm to 4pm
Co-op, Hallett Road, Flitch Green
Sunday 3 November
11am to 12pm
The Range, Northlands Pavement, Pitsea, Basildon
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
Crime prevention
Halloween should be spooky fun, but some people can find it unsettling.
You can find posters to download and print on our website to display in your window or on your front door to let those out trick or treating know whether you're taking part.
If you have concerns around antisocial behaviour or believe a criminal offence is being committed during Halloween or Bonfire Night, you can report it to us online via our Live Chat service or by calling 101.
Please only call 999 if someone’s life or property is in immediate danger or if there’s a crime in action taking place.
Be fraud smart
Boost your online security with these top tips
- Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts.
- Turn on 2-step verification
- Install the latest software and app updates
Join our team
Police staff jobs
Intelligence Researcher £27,789
Fingerprint Examiner £26,106
IT - Senior Network Engineer £40,170
Leadership and Development Trainer £32,244
Practice Nurse £38,754
Telephonist £22,230
Polygraph Officer £33,915
IT - Supplier Relationship Manager - ICT and Corporate £46,881
Commercial Services Category Specialist £48,339
Business Services Assistant £24,219
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
This week we remember
William George Burnett
William Burnett preferred to be known as George and following his discharge from the Coldstream Guards, he joined Essex County Constabulary on July 1, 1911. He served at Brentwood and then Wickford and rejoined the colours as Lance Corporal in August 1914.
On 1 March 1916, the Chief Constable reported to the Police Authority;
‘Pc Burnett, on active service, has been missing since 29 October 1914 and the Army Council have accordingly informed his family that they have concluded he was killed on or after that date.’
Herbert James Button
Herbert served with the Grenadier Guards before joining Essex Constabulary on 7 January 1913. He was stationed at Dovercourt where, just before the outbreak of war, he managed to halt a runaway horse that had bolted along the High Street, but only after he had been dragged some considerable distance.
With the declaration of war on August 4, 1914, Herbert was recalled to the colours and rejoined his colleagues with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards at Chelsea Barracks. Two other Essex policemen, Percy Battle and Stapleton Hollett, were also reservists with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and were recalled at the same time.
Herbert Button was killed in the action close to Shrewsbury Forest. He died on November 1, 1914.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.