Essex Police Weekly Update - Issue #17
11 October to 17 October 2021
Sir David Amess MP — www.essex.police.uk
On Saturday, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington and Roger Hirst, Essex Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner joined the Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker of the House plus the Chief Executive of Southend Borough Council and the Mayor of Southend on Sea, laid flowers in a moment of respect for Sir David Amess MP at Belfairs Methodist Church, Leigh on Sea.
We were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm on Friday to reports a man had been stabbed. Later we confirmed the man who died was Sir David Amess MP. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, sadly, he died at the scene. A 25-year-old man was arrested and a knife was recovered.
"We promise your family, friends and colleagues that we will work tirelessly with our policing partners to secure justice for the terrible crime committed against you. Essex is united in respect for your public service. With such sorrow for your loss, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, Essex Police."
Southend, Colchester and Saffron Walden: Meet our new recruits — www.essex.police.uk
PC Ron Law, PC Darcie Hughes and PC Chris Fredriksen are now out on the streets of our county helping to catch criminals and keep people safe. Find out why they want to protect and serve the people of Essex.
Basildon: Further appeal in Terry Leeks murder three months on — www.essex.police.uk
We believe there are still people in the community who know what happened but have not yet come forward.
It’s three months since 46 year-old Terry died. He was assaulted in Northlands Park in the early hours of 11 July.
To date, nine people have been arrested on suspicion of his murder. Six remain on bail, two have been released under investigation, and one has been told they face no further action.
If you have any information you can report it to us by calling 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/136379/21.
You can report it online at www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They don’t ask your name or any personal details, they don’t record your call and your number is never displayed. When information is passed to the police, it doesn’t contain any information which could identify you.
Grays: BBC2 documentary into deaths of 39 people — www.essex.police.uk
A primetime BBC television documentary about the Essex Police-led investigation to catch the criminals responsible for the deaths of 39 Vietnamese people will air this week.
‘Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers’ aired on BBC2 last Wednesday and recounted the biggest homicide investigation in Essex Police’s 180-year history.
The documentary begins from the moment lorry driver Maurice Robinson made a 999 call to the East of England Ambulance Service to say he had 39 people dead in the back of his lorry in Grays on October 23, 2019. You can watch the programme on the BBC iPlayer.
National Hate Crime Awareness Week
Superintendent Richard Melton, Essex Police’s hate crime lead, has a clear message for perpetrators of hate crime: it will not be tolerated.
“Hate crime is a priority and will not be tolerated”
A hate crime is defined as any incident, which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a personal characteristic – this can be disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity.
There have been more than 4,800 hate crime offences in Essex in 2021, up by 27% on this time last year.
Colchester: Two men jailed for life
Phoenix Lee and Sheldon McKay were sentenced to life imprisonment when they appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today (Monday 11 October).
Our officers gathered CCTV showing the pair forcing open the door where the victim was fatally attacked.
Lee and McKay were convicted of the murder of Alinjavwa Siwale, 22, when they appeared at the same court on 7 September, despite denying their involvement throughout the trial.
Basildon: Drugs seized in warrants and 3 drug dealers jailed — www.essex.police.uk
Joshua Mitchell and Dillon Jules were both handed five years and seven months in jail after our officers caught them running a drugs line into Basildon, organised via WhatsApp.
Tommy Aldridge was also jailed last week at Basildon Crown Court for a total of 37 months after admitting two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Shortly after 6.30am last Tuesday, officers from Op Raptor South and Essex Operational Support Group, supported by the Essex Police Dog Unit, Eastern Region Special Operations Unit and the National County Lines Coordination Centre, carried out an operation in Basildon.
As part of it, four warrants were carried out in Swanstead as well as in Timberlog Lane and Little Lullaway.
In total four have people have been arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
We have also seized 2.5kgs of suspected Class A drugs, weapons and cash.
Crime prevention advice
Darker nights - take care - keep safe — www.essex.police.uk
As the nights start to draw in, take steps to keep your home protected.
Using devices such as light timers or leaving a radio on in the rooms you use the most, will make it look like you're in and deter would-be burglars.
Before you leave to go out, remember to:
Close and lock all your doors and windows.
Double-lock the doors with a key - don't just lift the handle.
Make sure that any valuables are out of sight.
Keep your car keys well away from the letterbox as a thief could hook. them through the smallest of openings. Put key fobs in a Faraday bag.
Use timers to switch lights to come on as it gets dark.
Remember to set your burglar alarm if you have one.
Read our advice about how to keep your home and loved ones safe.
Join Essex Police - police staff vacancies
Transport Support Officer Salary £23,817 to £26,016
Business Services Assistant Salary: £19,452 to £23,040
Geographic Facilities Assistant Salary: £18,501 to £19,032
Operational Driver Training Instructor Salary: £26,865 to £31,725
Visit our website for full details, job descriptions and links to apply online
Obituary - John Smith
The Chief Constable regrets to inform you of the sad death of our former colleague John Smith who passed away on 3 October 2021 aged 90. His funeral is on 8 November. More details here.