Essex Police Dispatch - issue 181
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 9 December to 15 December
'We all want more police officers on our streets... all I want is fair funding for Essex'
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington QPM has revealed a multi-million pound budget shortfall which could mean cuts of well over 200 officers in the new year.
Essex Police needs £418m in 2025-26 to ensure the force can operate at the same level.
Taking into account planned central government funding, local council tax precept from Essex residents and force efficiency savings, the force is still projecting a gap of more than £10m in 2025/26.
Essex is the eighth-largest force in England and Wales, but per head of population the force is the second-lowest funded by head of population according to official figures from HMICFRS.
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington said:
“We all want the same thing – a police force which catches criminals and supports victims: less knife crime, less violence against women and girls and more neighbourhood patrols.
“But we can only keep crime down if we’re funded fairly.
“You can only squeeze the money lemon so much. That’s why I’m speaking up for Essex and for the officers on duty day and night.”
“We know times are tough but please don’t be tempted to buy goods you know or suspect to be stolen,” says business crime officer
In November 2024, our officers made 127 arrests for shop theft and secured 283 charges against 92 people who are now at risk of getting a criminal record.
Our Business Crime Team Sergeant Christian Denning says:
“We know times are tough but please don’t be tempted to buy goods you know or suspect to be stolen.
“Buying stolen goods feeds organised crime and modern slavery. We want to reduce the opportunities for shoplifters and other thieves to sell their ill-gotten gains and you can help by not buying stolen goods, either in person or online.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and it can cause prices to rise as retailers seek to recover their costs, which in turn puts more pressure on customers’ purses.
“Remember, if the price seems too good to be true, there’s always a reason and often it’s because the item was stolen in the first place.
“You might want to make your Christmas special but you have no comeback if the goods are faulty or out of date and you may be risking your safety or that of your loved ones.”
"The support from Essex Police has been amazing"
A survivor involved in the case against David Pickthall, the former teacher and choirmaster jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing or filming 19 people without their consent over 41 year period, praises Essex Police officer for their support.
Harry – not his real name – has also encouraged other people who may be affected to come forward and report what happened to them to the police.
He said;
“It’s evident that there are other people affected but you should come forward because justice will be done. I’ve seen it happen.
“The world needs to see and it’s important to ensure these sorts of things never happen again.
“I know that it will take bravery to come forward but his entire edifice has crumbled.
“The support from the police has been great, I couldn’t fault it, it’s been amazing. The officer in the case, Chelsie, in particular has been fantastic."
2,400 arrests and 1,000 charges in November
We made nearly 2,400 arrests last month, and secured more than 1,000 charges, as we continue our commitment to tackle crime and keep you safe.
Teams from across our force work relentlessly to tackle burglary, protect women and children, dismantle drugs gangs, and keep you safe on the roads.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said:
“Our officers are committed to tackling crime where it happens, and keeping you safe.
“Our officers attended nearly 14,500 incidents last month including nearly 6,500 emergencies.
“And all this comes as crime continues to fall across Essex with nearly 9,500 fewer offences in the last year.
“But despite being the eighth biggest force in the country, only Wiltshire gets proportionately less funding."
Report rural crime, urge our rural engagement officers
Our rural engagement officers met farmers, MPs, local councillors and members of countryside organisations at the Essex Rural Crime Summit, organised by Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst.
The 55 delegates discussed how Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service can better work with partners to best serve our rural communities.
Rural Engagement Team Inspector, Terry Jacobs explained how we work closely with rural communities on issues which are unique to rural areas. However the Inspector said there is more to do and that’s why working with farmers, landowners, local councils and organisations such as the Essex Association of Local Councils, the Rural Community Council of Essex and CPRE, the countryside charity, is so important to us.
He also emphasised the importance of reporting crime to the police or, in the case of fly-tipping, to local councils.
Man jailed for 25 years for multiple sexual offences
A man has been jailed for 25 years after being found guilty of many sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape.
Stephen Gallagher, 59 of Normandy Avenue, Colchester appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday 11 December where he was sentenced, concluding a complex investigation by the Essex Police Child Abuse Investigation Team.
Gang jailed over £350k crack cocaine and heroin line
A gang which facilitated the supply of around £350,000 of Class A drugs in the Braintree area has been taken out and its members jailed for more than 13 years.
The ‘Bruce’ drug line was identified as suppling crack cocaine, heroin and Xanax throughout the district.
Teams from our Operation Raptor north and Orochi units – dedicated to taking down county lines dealers and safeguarding those they exploit – led the investigation into the line.
First week of December sees 62 drink and drug drivers arrested
62 drink and drug drivers have been arrested as a result of work to tackle drink driving. The action aims to take dangerous drivers off the road in an effort to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured collisions in Essex.
Almost half of those arrests (30) took place between Friday 6 and Sunday 8 December. The three-day period accounted for 15 drink drivers, 13 drug drivers and two motorists for failing to provide a specimen. In addition, 14 drink drivers, 15 drug drivers and three motorists who failed to provide a specimen were arrested in the preceding four days.
Read more
Police Dogs recognised for service
Seven retired police dogs (RPD) have been recognised for their loyal service to Essex Police and our communities.
Four German Shepherds, two Labradors and a German Shepherd Malinois were presented with the Paul Nicholls Service Medal at an event held at Essex Police.
RPDs Raven, Danny, Mitch, Dougie, Tex, Vin, and Ivy had served as police dogs in Essex for a combined 36 years. With Labrador Danny, working as a specialist explosives dog for almost a decade.
Over the years the dogs have helped catch lots of criminals, recover mountains of evidence, and find many missing people.
“Essex Police dealt with my case with great compassion, I would urge anyone else affected to come forward”
A survivor of David Pickthall, the former teacher and choirmaster who was jailed for 12 years earlier this month for sexually abusing or filming 19 people without their consent over 41 year period, urges victims to come forward.
Silent scars: Breaking the cycle of emotional abuse with the #Reflect campaign
If your actions make your relationships a toxic place to be, it’s time to reflect on your behaviour and get the help you need.
Working in partnership with Southend, Essex, and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB), our Reflect campaign works to confront domestic abuse in Essex.
We are encouraging perpetrators to seek help from The Change Project, to identify and change their abusive behaviour.
Whether it’s physical abuse, controlling behaviour, stalking and harassment, or uncontrolled emotions like humiliation or anger towards a loved one, we want to break the cycle of domestic abuse and prevent it from happening again.
It’s about making a real, lasting change, and driving down incidents of domestic abuse.
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 16 December
11am to 12pm
Waitrose, London Road, Leigh
11am to 12pm
Sainsburys, Cricketers Retail Park, Cricketers Wy., Basildon
11am to 1:30pm
Shalford Village Meet and Greet
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Marks & Spencer Foodhall, 12-24 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh SS6 7JQ
3pm to 3:30pm
Henham Community Shop, High Street, Henham
Tuesday 17 December
9:30am to 10:30am
Mothers Kitchen, 6 Felmores End, Basildon SS13 1PN
9:30am to 11am
Saffron Walden Building Society, 1A Market Street, Saffron Walden
10:30am to 12pm
Witham Town Hall, Heritage Suite, Witham
11am to 12pm
Castle Park sensory garden
1pm to 2pm
Rochford Market, 22-24 West Street, Rochford SS4 1AL
3pm to 4:30pm
Great Dunmow Library, Great Dunmow
Wednesday 18 December
10am to 2pm
Tesco Extra, Fullbridge, Maldon CM9 4LE
10:30am to 11:30am
Vange Riverview Centre, Vange, Basildon
10:30am to 11:30am
Manningtree Library, High Street, Manningtree.
11am to 12pm
Wakey Wakey Cafe, London Road, Leigh
Thursday 19 December
10am to 11am
CIIP surgery, outside Canvey library 2 High Street, Canvey Island
10am to 11am
Morrison's Supermarket, Centenary Way, Little Clacton.
Friday 20 December
11am to 12pm
Sible Hedingham Baptist Church
10am to 11am
Havens, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff
10am to 12pm
Co-op Food, 45 Spa Rd, Hockley SS5 4BE
10am to 11am
The Council Offices, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea.
10am to 11am
South Benfleet Library, 264 High Rd, South Benfleet, Benfleet
10am to 12pm
Walton food bank, Standley Road, Walton on Naze.
10:30am to 11:30am
Birdbrook Community House
11am to 12pm
Miracle House, Silver island Way, Wickford, SS12 9NR
Saturday 21 December
9am to 10am
Chelmsford Park Run, Central Park, Chelmsford
9:30am to 10:30am
Billericay Library, 143 High St, Billericay CM12
10am to 11am
Ford Barns, Crown Lane, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 11am
Essex county counsellor surgery, outside Canvey library 2 High Street, Canvey Island
10am to 11am
White Colne Village Hall
11am to 12pm
Starbucks Coffee Shop, Southernhay, Basildon SS14 1EB
11am to 1pm
Unit 17, The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham
12pm to 1pm
Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey EN9 3EL
Sunday 22 December
3pm to 4pm
Walton High Street.
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
Have you finished your Christmas shopping?
Keep your gifts and packages safe from porch pirates and other thieves by scheduling deliveries for times when you or someone you live with will be home, or use a secure delivery option.
Be fraud smart
Criminals have been known to target winter fuel payment schemes to try to steal bank details and other information.
The current scam is to offer to replace the winter fuel allowance with another payment.
Fraudsters are sending text messages which will direct you to a fake website where they will ask you for your bank details.
Please share to let others know to be on alert this winter and to remind them to not click on any links in a message from someone they do not know.
Join our team
Police staff jobs
Geographical Facilities Assistant £24,219
Business Services Assistants £24,219
Vehicle Technician £38,754
Leadership and Development Trainer £32,244
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
This week we remember
Gerald Norman Totterdell
Gerald joined Essex County Constabulary having previously worked as a clerk at Essex County Council in Chelmsford. He was a detective in Clacton when he was called up for service by the Royal Navy in August 1942. His brother Ronald has been in the Navy since he left Trinity Road School aged 16. He had spent three years in China but a near fatal illness forced his return to England. The two obtained a special permit to sail together.
Police Constable Gerald Norman Totterdell was killed on Thursday, 17th December 1942, along with his brother, Leading Telegraphist Ronald Gordon Totterdell, when a German U-boat torpedoed and sunk their 1,350 ton destroyer, H.M.S. Firedrake, in the north Atlantic.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.