POLICE are appealing for information about an armed robbery in North Weald.

A man walked into Coverdale Racing, in High Road, at around 8.40pm on January 17, and pulled out what is believed to be a black handgun.

He threatened a member of staff and then left with cash.

The suspect has been described as being white, around 6ft tall and of a medium build. He had a scarf covering his face and wore a black coat, trousers and gloves.

Investigating officer Dc Sarah Barker, of Loughton CID, said: “An innocent member of staff was subjected to a terrifying ordeal, with an armed robber threatening him at gun point and demanding cash.

“We have been making extensive enquiries at the scene and have reviewed CCTV at the business and surrounding area.

“We are now appealing for information and would urged people to call Loughton CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/8210/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

ESSEX Police would like to talk to these men in connection with a knife-point robbery in Harlow at around 2pm on Friday, February 2.

A man approached the victim in The High and asked him if he was interested in buying a new phone.

The victim showed an interest and the suspect claimed that the phone was in his car.

He walked through Broadwalk and across the town centre to a car park before telling the victim to get in the car.

However, once he was inside the vehicle, the victim was threatened with a knife and driven to a cash machine where he withdrew a three-figure sum of cash.

The money was then handed to another suspect driving a vehicle described as a green Volkswagen. The victim was unhurt and called police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Harlow CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/15800/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

1430 hrs

Statement from Essex Police

“We were called to reports of a man’s body in a pond in the Church End area of Harlow at around 10.30am on Saturday, February 10.

“We attended and, sadly, a man was found deceased.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious”.

1300 hrs

POLICE are in attendance at a number of locations in the Katherines area of Harlow.

Police cars are in a cul de sac in Church End.

A forensics tent has also been set up in the wooded area between Church End and the main road.

More follows

OFFICERS investigating a fire at an address in Harlow are releasing a CCTV image of two cars whose drivers we want to identify.

A police spokeserson said: “We were called to reports of a fire at an address in The Chantry at around 11.45am on Wednesday, February 7.

A 28 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail.

We now want to identify the drivers of two white cars which were driving in the area at the time who may have seen something and we’d like to speak to as witnesses.

“If you recognise these cars or think you may be the owner or driver of either of them, please call Harlow Police Station on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/18098/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111″.

TEAMS from across the force are carrying out activity across Essex this week under the nationwide Operation Sceptre (Monday, February 12 to Friday, February 16).

Every day of the year, our officers deal with knife related crime, and Op Sceptre’s February week of action is a chance to highlight our ongoing work targeting and disrupting offenders.

Operation Sceptre – which is led by the Metropolitan Police – is aimed at those who carry and use knives, with the added objective of cracking down on the supply, access and importation of weapons.

It is part of our ongoing work with partners to tackle gang crime and associated gang activity, as well as other violent crime, including domestic abuse.

Throughout the county, officers and Special Constables from local policing teams, the Operational Support Group and Operation Raptor teams, will be executing warrants, carrying out roadside checks and high-visibility patrols.

Where appropriate, they will be using intelligence-led stop and search powers.

They will also be working with Trading Standards teams to raise awareness among shop owners about the importance of challenging underage customers and selling knives and bladed objects within the law.

Knife crime increased by 21% nationally in 2017, and Essex as a county saw a 26% rise in knife crime between June 2016 and June 2017.

Assistant Chief Constable, Andy Prophet, said:

“Carrying a knife or bladed item means you could receive a prison sentence of up to 4 years.

“We know how concerned our communities are about knife crime.

“In Essex, as in the rest of the country, knife-related crime has gone up.

“Enforcement alone will not prevent more young people becoming involved in this type of crime. For those involved in drugs or gangs the threat of violence is something that hangs over them every day: an arrest does not necessarily act as a deterrent.

“Education is often the most effective way of changing the behaviour of those caught up in gang life or knife carrying.

“We are committed to steering people away from the knife-carrying culture, and making clear that there is help available to move away from a path that all too often results in prison or a coffin.”

“During last July’s Operation Sceptre, we seized a broad range of weapons spanning from a machete to an iron bar. A total of 40 people were arrested, 74 retail premises were visited, and officers also visited 50 schools throughout the county.

“Make no mistake, the fight against knife crime is a significant one. It is both a daily battle and a long term challenge. An important part of this is about the public reporting concerns and incidents to us, and actively getting behind preventative measures, such as education in schools.

“We would also encourage young people worried about knife crime to find out about Fearless.org.

“Crucially, if you know someone who carries a weapon, please tell us – keeping quiet helps no one and even worse, puts people in danger.”

For more information about knife crime in Essex, visit: www.essex.police.uk/knifecrime

A MAN who tried to evade justice for an attempted robbery has been jailed for nearly seven years.

Derek Lawless was arrested in September 2014 after a 63-year-old man was assaulted in Harlow.

The victim had gone to a shop in Partridge Road at about 2.30pm on July 28, 2014 when he was approached outside by a driver who asked for a cigarette.

He said he was about to buy some from the shop and would let him have one on his way out.

But when he gave him the cigarette, the man demanded money, rifled through his trouser pockets and pushed him to the ground.

The suspect drove off, leaving the victim injured in the street. The man was taken to hospital and required treatment for a fractured hip and arm.

Following an investigation and witness accounts, Lawless was identified in connection with the incident and arrested. He was subsequently charged that December with attempted robbery and GBH.

He denied the offences and after failing to attend court on six occasions, he eventually stood trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on December 19, 2017 .

However, he failed to turn up part way through and the court issued a warrant for his arrest.

Lawless, now 37, of Primrose Field, Harlow, was arrested on December 22 following a public appeal for information on his whereabouts.

A re-trial took place on February 5, 2018 and a jury found him guilty of both counts and failing to surrender to custody at appointed time on February 9, 2018

He was jailed the same day for a total of six years and nine months.

Investigating officer Dc Laura Cuthbert said: “This was a vicious attack on a man going about his daily business, all for the sake of a few pence and some cigarettes.

“The victim is still recovering from his serious injuries and has had to wait three-and-a-half years for justice to be served.

“Derek Lawless sought to thwart the trial process failing to appear at court and then absconding while the trial was ongoing.

“I am glad the victim has finally seen justice done and I hope he now has the closure he desperately needed.

“I thank him and the witnesses who have provided evidence to the court for their support throughout this prolonged ordeal.”

THE TRIAL for two fairground workers accused of the manslaughter of Summer Grant in Harlow Town Park in March 2016 is set for Apri.

A trial date of February 5th, 2018 was initially tabled but this has now been moved to April 16h.

Two fairground workers have pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of a girl who was fatally injured when the bouncy castle she was playing on blew away.

Summer Grant, seven, from Norwich, was visiting the funfair in Harlow Town Park, on 26 March 2016 and died later in hospital.

Shelby Thurston, 25 and William Thurston, 28, from Whitecross Road, Wilburton, Cambridgeshire appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday morning (Aug 16th).

The pair, who are on bail, also deny charges of failing to discharge a general health and safety duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A THREE-month long operation to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in Harlow has finished with success.

The Harlow Community Policing Team led operation called Op Latte, which was due to last 12 weeks but was extended to 16 weeks, finished at the end of last month.

Their operations have included implementing and overseeing three dispersal orders in the town centre and our officers have carried out an additional 250 hours of foot patrols.

There have been nine arrests for various offences with knives and drugs being seized, three cannabis warnings issued, two vehicles seized and dozens of fixed penalty notices issued.

The team also took part in a joint operation to seize 17,000 counterfeit cigarettes from shops in the town centre back in November.

Inspector Tony Walker, of Harlow CPT, said: “We were determined to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in the town centre, with extra officers patrolling on foot over the busy weekends and into the early hours of the morning.

“There has been a significant reduction in violent crime, nuisance related calls and anti-social behaviour and the extra patrols have been warmly received by local residents and business owners.

“It hasn’t all been about enforcement, by working with partners we have been able to make improvements to the Harvey Centre CCTV system and made sure repairs were carried out to broken fencing and street lighting.

“Further work still needs to be done and we are continuing to work hard to ensure Harlow is a safe and welcoming place for people to visit and work. I would like to thank the community for their support throughout our operations.”

Kelly Gentry stabbed the victim multiple times after demanding he give her money so she could leave the area.

She had gone to the victim’s home in Wellesley Road on June 23 where the pair began drinking together.

Gentry became aggressive, demanding money and threatening the victim with a knife.

She stabbed the victim in his stomach before taking money and cards from his wallet.

Gentry then stabbed him again in his shoulder and chest before cutting him across his throat after he tried to flee the room.

A woman has been jailed for life with a minimum of six years for stabbing a man in Clacton.

The victim passed out but came to at around 5.30am when he alerted a neighbour who called the emergency services.

Gentry, 47, of no fixed address, was arrested in Harlow on July 1 and was charged with attempted murder the following day.

She denied the charge but was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, December 11 of causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent.

At the same court today (Friday, February 16) she was jailed.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Phil Terry from Clacton CID, said: “This was a horrific attack which left the victim seriously hurt.

“Fortunately his injuries weren’t life-threatening but the reality is that Gentry had tried to kill him and the attack could’ve been a lot worse.

“Gentry is a dangerous woman who was willing to kill someone in order to steal from him and prevent him telling the police.

“I am pleased she is off the streets and is no longer able to pose a threat to the victim or anyone else.

“I want to praise the victim’s bravery throughout the investigation and court process. I hope this sentence provides some solace to him.”

THE number of child sex offences recorded by Essex Police rose to 1,531 last year the NSPCC reveals today.

The number of offences recorded in 2016/17 increased from 1,449 offences recorded the previous year.

New figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request to police across the UK found officers recorded, crimes including rape, sexual assault and grooming – with 13 offences recorded against babies below the age of one in Essex.

A total of 480 crimes were recorded against children aged ten and under, while 138 of these crimes were perpetrated against children aged four and under.

Nationally there were a record 64,667 child sex offences recorded by UK police in 2016/17, up 15% on the previous year with an offence recorded on average every eight minutes.

One in ten of these offences were flagged as having an online element – a 59 per cent increase on the previous year.

The total number of sex offences committed against children is unknown, as more children may not have come forward out of fear or embarrassment, or may not even realise they have been abused.

The NSPCC believes the dramatic increase could be down to a number of factors:

– Police forces improving recording methods.

– Survivors feeling more confident in disclosing abuse following high-profile cases.

– Online groomers becoming a significant problem with predators able to reach hundreds of children.

The NSPCC is calling for government to direct more resources to ensure high-quality training and support is available to frontline police officers to help raise awareness of safeguarding procedures and tackle child sex offences, especially online.

But it is also vital that children feel able to come forward to disclose abuse. The NSPCC’s Speak Out. Stay Safe programme visits primary schools across the UK to help children learn the signs of abuse in an age appropriate way, and what to do if they have been victims of such abuse. The scheme reached more than 51,000 children in Essex in the last academic year.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “This dramatic rise is extremely concerning and shows just how extensive child sexual abuse is.

“These abhorrent crimes can shatter a child’s life, leaving them to feel humiliated, depressed, or even suicidal. That is why it is crucial every single child who has endured abuse and needs support must get timely, thorough help so they can learn to rebuild their lives.

“These new figures suggest the police are making real progress in how they investigate sex offences against children. To help them tackle the issue going forward, we must ensure the police are equipped to work with other agencies and provide ongoing support and training to officers on the front line.”

A suspected drug dealer, alleged to have swallowed evidence when stopped by police 32 days ago, is refusing food to prevent nature’s course, a court heard.

Lamarr Chambers, 24, of Villa Road in Brixton, is believed to have eaten drugs during a police chase in Harlow, Essex, on 17 January.

His cell is near a special toilet, Chelmsford magistrates were told.

On arrest he said he was eating fried chicken not swallowing drugs. He faces four charges, including drug dealing.

Prosecutor Kathy Wilson said he was deliberately refusing sufficient food to stop nature taking its course.

Mr Chambers was driving a car around Harlow at a “low speed” and failed to stop when police put their lights on, she said.

“Officers saw him moving his head towards his hand and his head towards his hand as if he was eating something.

“The officers have every reason to believe that Mr Chambers has swallowed evidence,” she said.

He is charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, failure to stop and driving a motor vehicle without insurance.

Defence lawyer Andrew Horsell said his client was genuinely trying to evacuate his bowels and that his human rights were being abused.

Mr Chambers was remanded back into police cells before what will be his seventh hearing on Friday.
The court was told the record for preventing the evacuation of the bowels was believed to be 33 days.

A 23-year-old man from East London has appeared in court charged with a number of offences in connection with an alleged incident on February 18.

Cormack Doolin, of Albany Road, Hornchurch, was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm, one count of assault, driving dangerously, driving without insurance and possession of a class B drug.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday, February 20) and has been remanded to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 20.

A former Essex Police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct in connection with a bomb hoax note written in 1999.

The hearing, overseen by Independent Legally Qualified Chair, Siobhan Goodrich, heard a handwritten note referencing the organisation ‘Combat 18’ and warning of an explosion was fixed to the wall of a fast food restaurant in London on November 10, 1999.

On January 4, 2004, Pc Craig Davis signed an application form to join Essex Police which included a range of questions relating to security information and any involvement with espionage, terrorism, or sabotage. He replied ‘no’ to all relevant questions and his application was successful.

At the end of 2015, DNA linking Pc Davis to the note came to light following a speculative search of the Centralised Elimination Database which holds DNA profiles from police officers and staff.

Essex Police was informed about this on February 10, 2016 and made the Metropolitan Police Service aware, leading to the re-opening of its investigation.

Pc Davis, who was based on Canvey Island, was arrested and interviewed by the Met on March 22, 2017 in relation to the note but denied having any knowledge of or involvement with Combat 18, writing the note, or fixing it to the wall of the restaurant.

He made the same denials again in a signed statement in July 2017.

The hearing reviewed evidence from a handwriting expert whose findings strongly supported the assertion that Pc Davis was the author of the note.

He was placed on restricted duties following his arrest and resigned from the force on February 9, 2018.

He did not contest or attend the hearing.

At the Essex Police misconduct hearing at Harlow Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, February 20), Pc Davis was found guilty of gross misconduct having breached Essex
Police’s Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to two counts of Honesty and Integrity.

He had also faced one count of Discreditable Conduct but that was found not proven.

The panel’s decision was that he would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned.

Chief Superintendent Rachel Nolan, the senior officer sitting on the panel, said after the hearing: “Honesty and integrity are core values for Essex Police and we expect every officer and member of staff to adhere to them at all times.

“Pc Davis was repeatedly inconsistent about his knowledge of Combat 18 or writing the note, calling his honesty and integrity into question.

“While no information or evidence was found to specifically indicate Pc Davis was ever an active member of Combat 18 or had any involvement in right wing extremist activity, his actions have fallen well short of the standards we demand we have had no choice but to issue this sanction.”

ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery at a Co-op store in Manor Hatch.

Shortly before 7am this morning, Thursday, February 22, two men forced entry in the shop on Tumbler Road and threatened staff with a knife.

They stole a four figure sum of cash and left in the direction of Bush Fair in what is believed to be a large white car.

The men were described by the victim as being black and were wearing black coats and had their faces covered.

Staff were not hurt but were understandingly shaken.

Anyone with information, please contact Ds Neal Parker at Harlow CID on 101, quoting incident 156 of February 22.

Alternatively contact the Crimestoppers charity completely anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.

0800 hrs

ESSEX Police are at The Co-Op store on Manor Hatch on Tumbler Road in Harlow.

The shop is closed.

A small part of the pavement up the road in Tilbury Mead is cordoned off with what appears to be a money bag on the floor.

More follows

ESSEX Police were contacted shortly after 7.10pm on February 21 with reports of a disturbance at the Harvey Centre in Harlow at 7pm on February 22nd.

A 12-year-old boy from Harlow was arrested on suspicion of assault and a public order offence.

He has been released under investigation.

A WOMAN has been arrested for being in possession of a knife in a church in Harlow.

Charlie Buckley aka Charlie Brinkley, aged 45, of Tithelands, Harlow was charged with the following.

On 02/01/2018 at Harlow without lawful excuse, damaged Front Glass Door to the value of £500 belonging to St Pauls Church intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

On 02/01/2018 at Harlow in the county of Essex had with you, without good reason or lawful excuse, in a public place, St Pauls church, was in possession of a Stanley knife.

Buckley was remanded in custody until March 12th, 2018.

She has pleaded not guilty.

A suspected drug dealer has refused to use the toilet for 37 days and is now at “risk of death”, a court has been told.

A male, allegedly swallowed the drugs while being chased by police in Essex and has since rejected laxatives and an X-ray but has continued to eat and drink.

Essex Police officers have been tweeting daily updates of the operation they described as “poo watch” since the man was arrested in Harlow on 17 January.

He has been charged with two counts of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Police said they would continue to apply to court for custody extensions until he empties his bowels or allows doctors to retrieve the package he is suspected of swallowing.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court has now been told that he was being kept in a normal prison cell with two police officers with him at all times and has therefore not had the privacy to use the toilet.

Police officers were in court to get an extension on the males time in custody and said that he was in charge of his fate, the BBC reported.

His defence lawyers claimed there was “the potential of something going seriously wrong. We’re in an arena of risk of death.”

ROBERT Halfon, MP for Harlow, welcomed the Home Secretary’s announcement of a consultation on the Domestic Abuse Bill. The Bill will introduce important measures for victims of domestic violence. It aims to improve the authorities’ response to victims at home and in the courtroom, and strengthen legislation to stop the perpetrators of domestic violence.

The consultation will put the experience of survivors and their children at the heart of legislation and will remove one of the barriers that victims encounter; coming face-to-face with the abuser in court. The government has also committed to need to flee abuse get the support they need.

Robert Halfon said: “I have worked hard to get the government to toughen up their laws on domestic violence. Domestic violence is a scourge on our society. I hope the introduction of these important measures will begin to make a difference for domestic violence victims and their children”.

DRUG dealers and those involved in gang-related crime were locked up for a total of 336 years last year by Essex Police’s Operation Raptor teams.

Between January and December last year, the teams arrested 668 people suspected of being involved in drug and gang-related crime and seized drugs including heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis with a street value of £684,530.

During the year Raptor officers also seized £346,820 in cash earnt as a result of crime and drug dealing and seized 149 weapons from the streets of our county.

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

Following the publication of the teams’ success for 2017 Chief Supt Paul Wells, Essex Police’s lead for Operation Raptor said: “I’m extremely proud of our teams.

“These results are not only exceptional and testament to their hard work but also demonstrate Essex Police’s commitment to relentlessly pursue those criminals who think they can come to our county to sell drugs or commit gang-related crime.

“These people blight communities, exploit the young and vulnerable and perpetrate violence without a second thought.

“If they think they can do those things in our county, they are wrong – 336 years is a long time for these criminals to think about their actions.

“Our Raptor teams will continue to hunt these individuals down – watching what they do, where they go and who they associate with – and continue to arrest them and put them behind bars.

“We will also continue to work with our partners in education, health and local government to ensure we work together to safeguard those people at risk of exploitation by gangs.”

The North Operation Raptor team, which covers Chelmsford, Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and Uttlesford – locked up drug dealers in their area for a collective total of more than 109 years.

They succeeded in taking an entire gang – the Jay Boys who ran a county line into Clacton supplying heroin and crack cocaine – off the streets for more than 41 years.

During 2017 the team also seized £46,000 worth of Class A and B drugs, seized £25,000 in criminal cash, seized 47 weapons and arrested 106 people suspected of being involved in drug and gang crime.

The South Operation Raptor team – which cover Basildon, Castle Point, Southend and Rochford – also locked up drug dealers for a total of 109 years.

During 2017 they seized drugs with a street value of £220,000, arrested 232 people suspected of drug and gang crime, seized £130,590 in criminal cash and took 40 weapons off the street.

In one raid carried out in Laindon in February last year the team uncovered a haul of the Class A drug Cocaine and Class B drug Amphetamine worth £30,000.

The West Operation Raptor team – which cover Brentwood, Thurrock, Harlow and Epping Forest District – secured a total of 118 years in prison in 2017 for those convicted of being involved in drug and gang crime.

The team also seized Class A and B drugs worth more than £418,000, seized £171,230 of criminal cash, arrested 330 people suspected of drug supply or gang crime and seized 62 weapons.

The Thurrock team seized 802 cannabis plants over the course of the year worth more than £168,000 whilst in Harlow the team secured six closure orders on properties used by criminals as a drug dealing base.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community, contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Bradley Boateng – West Operation Raptor team

In September last year drug dealer Bradley Boateng was jailed for six years after he was found with 24 wraps of heroin and a combat knife.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how members of the Harlow Council Community Safety Team spotted 20-year-old Bradley Boateng in Harlow on May 25 last year. They contacted Essex Police after becoming suspicious that he was dealing drugs.

Officers from the force’s West Operation Raptor team went to the area and spotted Boateng leaving a house in The Briars, Harlow. He was stopped by officers and searched and found to be in possession of a five-inch combat knife.

A search of the home he had come from also turned up £430 in cash, 24 wraps of the Class A drug heroin and various items of drug paraphernalia including scales and a grinder.

Boateng was charged and pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug, possessing a knife in a public place, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.

ESSEX Police is very concerned about the welfare of 15-year-old Amy Wharton, who is missing from Harlow.

Amy was reported missing yesterday (Monday, February 26), and we believe she may be in or around the Barking area of East London.

She is 5ft 7ins tall and of slim build. Amy has very long blonde hair, and brown eyes.

She may have been wearing a dark blue body warmer with grey hood, black trainers, and carrying a black handbag.

Please contact Essex Police on 101 if you can help our enquiries.