Essex Police Dispatch - issue 185
Essex Police Weekly Update
News 6 January to 12 January
Chelmsford: Murder investigation - Body found
Officers investigating the disappearance of a man from Chelmsford have found a body.
Detectives launched an investigation following reports that Cumali Turhan, 46, was missing from Chelmsford on Monday 18 November 2024.
As a result of our initial enquiries, we quickly established serious concerns for his welfare.
Now, we can confirm that the body of a man has been found at a landfill site in Essex, on Saturday 11 January.
Essex Police are now able to identify the body as that of Cumali Turhan.
The search for the missing man has now concluded and his family have been informed of the development.
Colchester: Detectives put new zombie knife legislation to use
Officers investigating the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Colchester seized multiple zombie knives and a sword while executing warrants at two addresses.
The seizures have allowed our detectives to put new legislation around the possession and ownership of such weapons to good use.
One of our teams dedicated to investigating county lines activity, has been carrying out enquiries into a drug line operating in the Colchester area.
The line has been linked to the supply of Class A drugs to the estimated value of more than £30,000.
As part of their enquiries, officers enlisted the help of our Operational Support Group to execute a warrant at two addresses.
Inside, numerous items of interest were seized.
From one address, police seized a mobile phone, cannabis, cocaine, cutting agents, three zombie knives and a curved-edge sword.
At the second address officers seized mobile phones, a zombie knife, cannabis and cocaine.
Two arrests were made.
'Our work is removing weapons from the streets of Essex'
The recovery of a stun gun from a drug dealer’s home exemplifies the valuable work undertaken by our teams focused on county lines gangs.
Richie Nkundo, 34, ran the ‘CJ’ drug line as a one-man crack cocaine and heroin supply business.
Operation Raptor – our team dedicated to tracing and dismantling such operations – quickly became aware of his illicit activity.
The ‘CJ’ line operated in Harlow between September and December 2024.
Officers were soon on Nkundo’s tail and worked steadily to build a case against him.
Harwich: Trio jailed for 12 years after forklift ram raid
Three men have been jailed for a combined 12 years for their roles in a burglary spree which involved using a hulking JCB forklift to ram a shop.
The sentence follows an investigation into a burglary conspiracy which also saw multiple homes in Essex and Hertfordshire targeted.
Shane Hadderton, 36, of Glenway Close in Maldon, Marvin Usher, 33, of London Way, Royston, and Deividas Fiodorovas, 36, of Howard Road, Royston, were all arrested in May 2024 following a string of burglaries and theft.
The offences took place in April 2024.
Buckhurst Hill: Family pay tribute to 'vibrant and wonderful' woman following collision
A woman who died following a collision in Buckhurst Hill on Christmas Eve has been described as “vibrant” and “wonderful” and “deeply cherished by her family, friends, and colleagues”.
Sixty-five year-old Ruth Marina Campos Silva Myers died when she was in collision with a car in Palmerston Road shortly after 7.30am on Tuesday 24 December.
Sadly, she died at the scene.
Paying tribute to her, her family said:
"Ruth was a vibrant, wonderful and elegant person, deeply cherished by her family, friends, and colleagues.
"No words can truly capture what a special person she was, her dedication to her work at Liberty of London reflected her hardworking nature, but above all, she was the cornerstone of our family.
"She was taken from us far too soon, and her sudden passing is a heartbreaking loss.
"She leaves behind a cherished husband, loving siblings, and adoring nieces and nephews who will forever hold her in their hearts and will live with the pain of not having her here with us forever."
Harlow: 19-year-old arrested for kidnap and attempted murder
A teenager has been arrested and officers have launched an attempted murder investigation after a serious assault in Harlow.
It was reported to us that, at about 2.15pm on Tuesday 7 January, a 17-year-old boy was forced into a blue vehicle in Terminus Street.
Then, at about 4.20pm, we were called by the ambulance service to reports of a man in his 30s with life-threatening injuries in Staple Tye Shopping Centre.
Officers closed the centre and paramedics carried out vital treatment at the scene before the victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition. Thankfully, his injuries are not longer believed to be life-threatening.
We have carried out several enquiries since launching our investigation and arrested a 19-year-old man from Harlow in Chatham, Kent, in the early hours of Wednesday 8 January.
He was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and attempted murder, and remains in custody.
Officers believe the reported kidnapping and assault are linked.
Marine Unit assists stricken vessel run aground at Brightlingsea
Despite the current cold snap, the Essex Police Marine Unit have been out on the water patrolling the coastline.
Over the last week they have been in Harwich on the River’s Stour and Orwell, West Mersea and Maldon on the River Blackwater and Brightlingsea and Alresford on the River Colne, as well as patrolling the coast at Clacton, Frinton and Walton.
While over at Brightlingsea, the team were able to assist a stricken vessel that had run aground on the mud banks. Meanwhile, at Southend, they assisted the local Coastguard Rescue Team with recovering a capsized vessel.
Our Special Constable has also been helping us to keep the marine community safe, both out on the water and during the evenings by visiting marinas and boatyards around Essex.
Work by our specialist officers safeguards nearly 250 children in 2024
Work by our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) safeguarded nearly 250 children last year from dangerous online offenders.
POLIT form part of Essex Police’s Crime and Public Protection strand and in 2024 were confirmed to be top in the country for securing charges in relation to online child abuse investigations.
Since the beginning of 2024, the team have carried out 210 warrants. As a result of these warrants and other investigative tactics, 146 arrests were made, and 247 children were successfully safeguarded.
Roads Policing Unit head hails 2024 a year of road safety successes
As 2024 ends, Head of Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) looks back at some of the policing activities carried out by his officers to identify and target those involved in the criminal use of our roads and to reduce killed and seriously injured collisions.
Mr Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing Unit, said:
Throughout the year, my officers have been dedicated to keeping roads in Essex safe for everyone, keeping traffic moving and carrying out enforcement activities to target dangerous drivers who put other drivers and vulnerable road users at risk.
We patrol all the county’s roads, whether they are the strategic road networks or the lesser used, more rural roads, because no matter what the location or the speed limit, each one has an important role to play within our communities and their daily lives. It’s our job to ensure that each one is safe to be used and they’re not used by those offenders who think that they can move about Essex undetected, because they can’t.
We work closely with partners and other teams from across the force to tackle a variety of unlawful road-related offences, including the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, local councils, Highways England and Motor Insurers Bureau, because they share our ambition to make roads safe for everyone and have an important stake in this vital work.
Canvey: Arrest made after rat poison left in park
Officers working alongside partners to investigate the leaving of rat poison in a park in Canvey have made an arrest.
We have been working alongside Castle Point Borough Council and the RSPCA to investigate reports of rat poison being left in Kismet Park.
It was reported food contaminated with the substance had been left in the park on a regular basis last year.
A number of dogs are reported to have eaten food laced with poison, falling seriously unwell.
Enquiries have been ongoing with the help of the public, the council and the RSPCA.
As a result of this work, an arrest was made on Friday 3 January.
A 73-year-old man, from Canvey, was questioned on suspicion of damaging/destroying property with intent to endanger life.
He has been released on bail with strict monitoring conditions attached while our investigation continues.
Let's talk
Upcoming community police events across Essex this week
Monday 13 January
9:30am to 11am
CVST Harwich Hub, 276 High Street, Dovercourt.
10am to 11am
Vange Library, Southview Road, Basildon SS16 4ET
10am to 11am
Dainteas Tea Room, Dunmow Road, High Roding
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Marks & Spencer Foodhall, 12-24 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh SS6 7JQ
3pm to 4pm
Morrison's Supermarket, Waterglade Retail Park, Old Road, Clacton on Sea.
3pm to 4pm
Co-op, Flitch Green
Tuesday 14 January
10:30am to 12pm
Witham Town Hall, Heritage Suite, Witham
12pm to 2pm
The Megacentre Rayleigh, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh SS6 7UT
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Asda, Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh SS6 9RN
3pm to 4pm
East Tilbury Hub, Princess Avenue, East Tilbury
Wednesday 15 January
9am to 10am
Cafe, Harlow Town Park, Harlow
10am to 2pm
Safe to go Stow Hub, 28 The Stow, Harlow, Essex
10am to 11am
Canvey library 2 High Street, Canvey Island
10am to 12pm
Walton Community Forum, 61 High Street, Walton on Naze.
10am to 11am
Baby & Toddler Group, Holland Library, Public Hall, Frinton Road, Holland on Sea.
11am to 12pm
Stanford Le Hope Library, High Street
2:45pm to 3:15pm
Milton Hall Primary School, Salisbury Avenue,
Thursday 16 January
10am to 12pm
Woodham Walter Village Hall, Rectory Road, Woodham Walter, Maldon
11am to 12pm
Jaywick Community & Resource Centre, Brooklands Gardens, Jaywick.
2pm to 3pm
Hadleigh library, 180 London Road Hadleigh, Benfleet
Friday 17 January
10am to 12pm
Walton Foodbank, Standley Road, Walton on Naze.
Saturday 18 January
9am to 10am
Chelmsford Park Run, Central Park, Chelmsford
10am to 11:30am
Woody's Restaurant, Thurrock Garden Centre, South Road, South Ockendon
4pm to 5pm
Morrisons - 175 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet
4pm to 5pm
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff
Sunday 19 January
9am to 9:30am
Butchers Pasture, Little Easton
10am to 11am
The Martello Lounge, The Promenade, Clacton on Sea.
10am to 10:30am
Village Hall, The Endway, Great Easton
11am to 11:30am
One Stop, Ambrose Corner, Elsenham
1pm to 2pm
Home Bargains Airport Retail Park, Rochford Road, Rochford, SS2 6FW
2pm to 2:30pm
Henham Community Shop, High Street
3pm to 3:30pm
Co-op, Lower Street, Stansted
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Potters House, 9 Coleman Street, Southend
For full details of upcoming events, please visit the Essex Police website and enter your postcode.
Crime prevention
Stay safe this winter
Winter running can be refreshing, but it's important to stay safe.
Wear bright, reflective clothing so you are visible to others, especially in low light conditions.
Be fraud smart
Scammers are experts in what they do, help stop them by learning about the different tactics they use.
Friends Against Scams is a quick online learning programme that can help you understand the different types of scams there are, how to spot them and how to support anyone you know who may have been a victim.
Join our team
Police staff jobs
Crime Scene Investigator £26,106
Digital Forensic Specialist £38,349
Senior Digital Forensic Technician £30,870
Digital Forensic Technician £30,783
7 Forces Commercial Services Category Specialist £46,881
Visit our website for full advert, job descriptions and application form.
This week we remember
Gary John Veal
Gary joined Essex Police in 1990 and subsequently worked at Colchester, Mersea and Tiptree. In 1999 he transferred to the Road Policing Unit, serving at both Chelmsford and Stanway.
During the evening of January 12, 2002 Police Constable Gary John Veal was struck by a car while assisting at the scene of a broken-down vehicle on the A12 Colchester by-pass. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital, suffering from head and internal injuries, and subsequently died the following day.
William Martin
William enlisted with the Scots Guards after leaving school and on completion of his military service he joined Essex Constabulary on April 1, 1914. He barely completed four months’ service as a police officer when he was recalled to the Colours on August 4, 1914, and rejoined his colleagues in 1st Battalion Scots Guards as Lance Corporal 7894.
On January 10, 1917, whilst billeted at Maurepas, they took over the line just beyond the Peronne -Bapaume road. Whilst there was little action in terms of advances by either side, the artillery continued with harassing fire and it is probable that William Martin, who died on January 14, 1917, was fatally wounded during such an attack.
Lawrence Charles Hartman
Lawrence served in the army from 12th October 1932 to 18th July 1938, and joined Essex County Constabulary on 26th September 1938. After Headquarters’ training Lawrence was posted to Clacton from 3rd December 1938. He saw just under a year’s service before being recalled to the army on 1st December 1939.
He is believed to have subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, where he served as Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner) 657578 with 7 Squadron.
On Friday, 14th January 1944 he was the rear gunner in the seven man crew of a Lancaster Mk. III aircraft, number JA935, which departed from R.A.F. Oakington at 4.59 p.m. The Lancaster, which is thought to have been participating on an air raid, came down in Germany with the loss of all seven crew.
Read more about other Essex officers on the Essex Police Memorial Trust website.
Obituaries
David Michael James
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague David Michael James who retired as a Constable 1974 and served at Southend and Rayleigh Traffic. He passed away on Friday 18 December 2024 aged 80 years.