1600 hrs

Statement from British Transport Police: ‘Officers were called to Harlow station at 04.15am this morning (15/01) following reports of a break in.

‘Colleagues from Essex Police also attended and a 24-year-old man and a 31-year old man were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

‘They remain in custody while enquiries continue.’

HARLOW railway station ticket office was closed for a number of hours on Tuesday morning due to reported break-in.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said this morning: “Harlow Town ticket office is shut due to emergency services dealing with an incident.

Please expect queues for the ticket machines.”

A police van was parked at the entrance and police tape covered part of the front of the entrance.

YH has contacted Essex Police for more details.

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THE TROUBLED educational charity Science Alive has announced its closure.

The trustees for the interactive hub issued a statement on Wednesday morning.

Its closure marks a difficult last few years for the organisation that was based in the Harlow Leisurezone.

It appears that one of its lowest points was a criminal investigation that ran between November 2017 and June 2018.

Over the years, thousands of children learned more about science in a dynamic and interactive way at the centre.

The charity also ran Harlow Museum, just off First Avenue in Harlow.

YH understands that in 2017, the police were contacted by a whistleblower, concerned about aspects of the operation.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We received a complaint in November 2017 from about an alleged fraud at a charity in Harlow.

Following a thorough investigation that involved closely liaising with the Charities Commission, we filed the case in June 2018, pending further investigative opportunities becoming available”.

Earlier this week, Harlow Council announced that it would be taking back control of Harlow Museum and planning to re-open next, week however, Science Alive has closed.

A spokesperson for Science Alive said: “It was with regret that we decided last week that we had no choice but to close the Science Alive centre and charity. While we are pleased to hear that the Museum will remain open, we have been unable to secure sufficient funding to keep Science Alive going.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and volunteers who have been working so hard to keep these two vital community assets alive, and hope this won’t be the end of STEM opportunities for young people of Harlow to be inspired. ”

YH understands that whilst the criminal investigation may be effectively closed (unless new evidence comes to light), the political fallout may have just begun with Harlow Conservatives, who sit on the opposition benches, poised to ask a number of forensic questions of the ruling Harlow Labour group.

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A JURY has ruled that a man killed his partner.

Jake Neate stabbed Suzanne Brown multiple times at their home in Mountbatten Court, Braintree, on the evening of December 15, 2017.

Sadly the 33-year-old died at the scene.

A post mortem examination found Ms Brown had suffered 173 stab wounds.

Neate was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.

The 37-year-old was found unfit to enter a plea or to stand trial following the submission of medical reports around his mental health at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, January 14.

However, a trial was held to determine whether or not he had killed Ms Brown. After hearing the evidence, a jury ruled today, Wednesday, January 16, that they were sure that he had killed her.

Neate, who has been receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital since her death, will be sentenced on Friday, January 18.

The court heard he had paranoid schizophrenia and his mental health had deteriorated after he was taken off medication in October 2017 due to health issues.

The post Man found guilty of killing former Harlow woman, Suzanne Brown appeared first on Your Harlow.

ESSEX Police could soon be able to recruit an additional 215 police officers over the next year focusing on visible, frontline policing.

Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has put forward detailed financial plans to boost the force’s finances to members of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel who will discuss the proposal at their meeting next week (January 24th).

In a public survey carried out at the end of last year more than 71 per cent of respondents said they would be prepared to invest more in policing to help improve the service provided. Seventy-three per cent of positive respondents said they would be prepared to pay at least £20 a year more. In the light of that and of detailed discussions with Chief Constable B J Harrington, Mr Hirst is proposing to increase the policing element of the Council Tax by £24 a year for the average household, the maximum permitted by government without a referendum. This will mean that the average Band D property will pay £192.96 for policing in a year, an increase of £2 per month. The current levy is £169.02 per year.

In relation to the budget for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Hirst is proposing to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel to increase the precept by roughly the rate of inflation. This will be equivalent to an increase of £2.07 a year resulting in a rise from £70.38 to £72.45 for a Band D Council Tax property.

Roger Hirst said: “It is important to remember that Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service are separate services with separate budgets.”

The proposed total budget for Essex Police is £300.478 million. £175.8 million will be from central Government and £124.6 million will be drawn from local taxation, if approved by the Panel.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service proposed total budget will be £73 million with £46. 876 million coming from Council Tax and £24. 533 million from government grants with the balance being drawn from the service’s more than adequate reserves.

Last year, Mr Hirst increased the policing element of the Council Tax which led to 150 additional officers joining Essex Police. These officers have been recruited, trained and are already arriving in communities across the county.

Mr Hirst said: “People across the county have been telling me that they want more police officers and that they are prepared to pay more to get them. If my proposed budget is accepted it will mean the Chief Constable will be able to bring police officers numbers up to over 3,200 by March next year which will get Essex Police near where it needs to be in terms of establishment.”

If agreed by the Panel, the money will be invested in 215 additional police officers on top of the 150 recruited this year as well as 32 operational police staff and 18 police support staff. They will be divided into a number of teams including:

68 officers dedicated to town centre policing
50 officers to local policing teams
21 roads policing officers
20 officers dedicated to working with children and young people

20 officers to boost the force’s crime and public protection command

There are also plans to create a dedicated business crime unit as well further investment in the gypsy, traveller and rural engagement team and serious crime directorate.

In terms of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the proposed budget will include a number of initiatives including:
£400,000 to support the recruitment and retention of on-call firefighters
£372,000 to fund sprinkler initiatives in vulnerable communities
£600,000 to support improvements to operational training
Full details of the proposals are available to view as part of the published papers for the Police, Fire and Crime Panel. They are available via this link:

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DO you know where Edward Diorgu is? He is wanted for failing to appear at court.

Diorgu, 23, is also known by the nickname Chuks and has links to Harlow and East London.

He is described as being just over 6ft tall and has a scar on his jaw.

If you have any information please call Harlow police station on 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

The post Police search for man who failed to appear at court appeared first on Your Harlow.

A DISPERSAL order will be in place in Harlow this weekend, starting at 6pm today, January 18.

The order has been put in place in response to planned car cruise events.

The order will be active from 6pm each evening to 4am the next morning on Friday and Saturday night. It will end at 4am on Sunday, January 20.

It predominantly covers Edinburgh Way and the retail car parks in road.

The dispersal order provides an officer or a PCSO with the power to issue a direction for an individual or group, who has committed or is likely to commit anti-social behaviour, to leave a specified area. If they return to the area within 48 hours, they may be arrested.

Inspector Tony Walker, of Harlow’s Community Policing Team, said: “We acknowledge that car enthusiasts and members of the public enjoy these events but, unfortunately, previous events have shown us that there are some people who behave in an anti-social manner and drive dangerously, putting the safety of others at risk.

“I am hoping that there will be no need to enforce the order and our priority is to ensure that the area remains safe for all to use.”

As per the map, the order runs between Burntmill Lane in the west, including Harlow train station, to the point of the A1019 parallel with the mid-point of Harlow Town Park. In the south, it runs from this point of the A1019 to the A414. To the east, it runs from the River Stort, encompasses Harlow Mill train station, and again meets the A414. Across the north, it runs across the River Stort.

The post Dispersal order in place to combat car cruisers appeared first on Your Harlow.

A MAN who killed his partner has been made subject of an indefinite hospital order.

Jake Neate stabbed Suzanne Brown multiple times at their home in Mountbatten Court, Braintree, on the evening of December 15, 2017.

Sadly the 33-year-old died at the scene.

Suzanne Brown was brought up in Harlow, attended Stewards Academy and was known to many people in the town.

A post mortem examination found Ms Brown had suffered 173 stab wounds.

Neate was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.

The 37-year-old was found unfit to enter a plea or to stand trial following the submission of medical reports around his mental health at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, January 14.

However, a trial was held to determine whether or not he had killed Ms Brown. After hearing the evidence, a jury ruled on Wednesday, January 16, that they were sure that he had killed her.

The court heard he had paranoid schizophrenia and his mental health had deteriorated after he was taken off medication in October 2017 due to health issues.

Neate, who has been receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital since her death, was sentenced today Friday, January 18, to the hospital order at Chelmsford Crown Court.

In a Victim Impact Statement read to the court, Suzanne’s sister Rebecca Foskett said: “Sue was my rock and would support me through any troubles that I had in my life, as a sister would, she was always there with a smile and never had a bad word to say about anyone.

“Sue had a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh and tears would roll down her cheeks as she laughed.

“My world has been changed forever, Sue was a huge part of my life.”

In a statement following today’s sentencing, Suzanne’s family said: “The loss of Sue will leave a huge hole in our lives.

“As a result of the measures the court has put in place we are grateful that no other family will have to suffer what we have suffered.”

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “My thoughts are very much with Suzanne’s family, who have lost their daughter in such a tragic and brutal way.

“The investigation and court proceedings have understandably been very upsetting for them and I thank them for their support throughout this extremely distressing time.

“It is clear that Jake Neate was acutely unwell and the hospital order will ensure he receives the ongoing medical care he needs.”

The post Suzanne Brown murder: Man who killed partner made subject of an indefinite hospital order. appeared first on Your Harlow.

TWO women have been arrested after Essex Police executed a warrant in Harlow.

Officers went to an address in Dadswood at around 6.30am today (Saturday, January 19) and discovered drugs phones, paraphernalia, and live ammunition.

Two women from Harlow, aged 19 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply drugs.

They are currently in custody and our enquiries are ongoing.

The post Live ammo found after two women arrested over suspicion of drug dealing appeared first on Your Harlow.

ESSEX Police is appealing for information following two distraction burglaries in Harlow

They took place at address in Primrose Field and Harberts Road between 2pm and 3pm on Friday, January 18.

On each occasion one or two men claiming to be doing work on the water supply and needed to either change the pressure or turn the water to the premises off.

The men have been described as white, in their 20s, and wearing dark clothing with high viz stripes.

Each time, after the men left the victims realised money had been taken.

If you recognise the descriptions of these men, believe they have knocked on your door or been in your area, or you have CCTV of them we need you to contact us.

If you have any information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference numbers 42/9759/19 or 42/9859/19 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The post Bogus workmen commit distraction burglaries in Harlow appeared first on Your Harlow.

TWO women have been charged following a warrant in Harlow.

Officers executed a warrant at an address in Dadswood at around 6.30am on Saturday, January 19.

Two women were arrested.

Victoria Hill, 37, and Thaiesia Mathurin-Hill, 19, of both of Dadswood, Harlow, have both been charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and one count of possession with intent to supply Class B drug.

Mathurin-Hill is due at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 21.

Hill is due at the same court on Tuesday, January 22.

The post Two women charged with drug dealing after raid on house near town centre appeared first on Your Harlow.

A MAN who racially abused and assaulted two officers has been jailed following a disturbance in Harlow.

Richard Holland, 31, of Potter Street, Harlow, received 10-week concurrent sentences for two counts of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty and racially aggravated harassment at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 16.

He also received six weeks consecutive for breaching a suspended sentence and two other six week sentences, to run concurrently, for breaching two other suspended sentences.

Holland active suspended sentences given to him on Friday, May 28, 2018, for two counts of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty and racially aggravated harassment.

He was ordered to pay compensation and received no separate penalties for criminal damage and possession of cannabis.

At around 5am on Saturday, March 17, 2018, Essex Police responded to reports of anti-social behaviour in Terminus Street.

Holland pushed, spat at and racially abused officers while being detained.

At around 7am on Saturday, November 3, 2018, he bit an officer and head butted another in Kitson Way.

He also shouted words of racial abuse at them before being arrested and charged.

Detective Inspector Phil Moulsher, of Harlow CID, said: “Holland clearly has a history of abusing and assaulting officers, who responded to calls about his anti-social behaviour.

“Our officers were only looking to give him words of advice but were pushed, head butted, spat at, bitten and abused.

“There are simply no excuses for officers being attacked and abused doing the job they love, protecting the public, and Holland has since been sent to prison.”

The post Potter Street man jailed for racially abusing and assaulting police officers appeared first on Your Harlow.

HARLOW’s Drug Squad have issued a warning over teenagers being used by drugs gangs in the town.

The Operation Raptor West Twitter account issued the following statement.

” A sixteen-year-old Harlow boy has been stopped and arrested this evening (Monday) for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

“The exploitation of kids to act as drug runners is a common occurrence for those operating”.

“Be aware of this type of exploitation. Does your son have money they can’t explain? Your daughter wearing designer clothes they can’t afford?

“Do they have more than one phone? All are examples to be aware of, together we can tackle this cowardly tactic and safeguard those being used.”

The post Harlow drug squad issue warning after teenager arrested appeared first on Your Harlow.

A 30-year-old man has been jailed for 12 months after assaulting a man in Harlow.

Aaron Bissmire, of no fixed address was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at the Oasis Hotel, Harlow, on August 18, 2018.

Officers were called shortly after 12.30am with reports that Bissmire had forced entry into the room of a 35-year-old man, who was staying at the hotel on Hart Road.

He then assaulted the victim by hitting him in the head with what was described as a mug.

A jury found Bissmire guilty of the offence at Chelmsford Crown Court today, January 22 and was sentenced to 12 months in prison plus an additional 12 months on license.

Upon sentencing, Investigating Officer DC Joanna Snell said: “This assault resulted in the victim having to be treated in hospital for his injuries, which thankfully he is now recovered from.

“This sentence means that Bissmire is now having to deal with the consequences of his actions and will continue you to do so for the duration of this sentence.”

The post Man jailed after attack at Oasis Hotel in Old Harlow appeared first on Your Harlow.

A CAR stolen from outside an address in Harlow has been recovered in Saffron Walden.

Around 1.30pm on Sunday, January 20, a member of the public called police to report that windows to cars parked near to Station Road, had been smashed.

Upon arrival an officer established one of the vehicles, a silver Volkswagen Passat, had been stolen from an address on The Downs in Harlow.

Damage had also been caused to two other cars, a silver Mazda Demio and a green Suzuki Jimny, which also had a camera stolen from it.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed any suspicious behaviour are asked to contact Harlow police station on 101, quoting 556 of January 20.

Information can also be given completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.

The post Car stolen from The Downs found in Saffron Walden appeared first on Your Harlow.

A MAN from Harlow is set to stand trial on a number of drug-related charges.

Macauley Harrington, aged 22, of Arkwrights, Harlow has been charged with the following.

Between 01/06/2018 and 13/06/2018 at Harlow was concerned in the supplying of a quantity of cocaine, a controlled drug of class A, to others.

On 13/06/2018 at Harlow, had in your possession a quantity of Ketamine, a controlled drug of class B, with intent to supply it to others.

On 01/06/2018 and 14/06/2018 at Harlow was concerned in the supplying of a quantity of Ketamine, a controlled drug of class B, to others.

On 13/06/2018 at Harlow had in your possession a quantity of Cocaine, a controlled drug of class A with intent to supply it to others.

Harrington has been sent for trial to Chelmsford Crown Court on February 20th.

The post Harlow man faces trial over cocaine and ketamine dealing appeared first on Your Harlow.

Statement from Essex Police

“We were called today, Sunday, January 27, with reports that entry had been forced into an address on Arkwrights in Harlow, overnight.

No items were reported to have been taken.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed any suspicious behaviour is asked to contact Harlow Police Station on 101, quoting reference 42/14402/19.

“Information can also be given completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/”

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ESSEX Police are renewing their appeal for information to help us find Chunsar Man from Harlow.

The 64-year-old is wanted for failing to appear at court to face charges of assault by beating and threatening a person with a blade in a public place.

The alleged incidents took place in Harlow in June.

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to call PC Adam Piatczak at Harlow Police Station on 101.

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ESSEX Police is continuing to urge people to review their online safety settings following 4,500 card and online frauds in Essex in six months.

The figures were identified by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) who carried out a fraud review of the county between April and September 2018.

The total loss to the victims, either businesses or individuals, was around £6.5million.
The figures show that that age range likely to fall victim of fraud is between 30 and 49 and the age range less like is under 19.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Morton, head of Essex’s fraud team, said: “Fraudsters continue to use the anonymity of the internet to trick people and businesses into handing over their hard earned money for their own financial gain.

“While they may use some sophisticated tactics, there are also some very simple steps you can take to deter them.

“In an age where more and more people are using hand held technology, be it on the train going home from work or waiting in a shopping queue, it’s vital to evaluate your online behaviour.

“These steps may help you avoid clicking on a fake advert on social media, it may prevent fraudsters gaining access to your personal details and it may stop you buying a product that doesn’t exist. We need your help to detect and disrupt criminals.”

We are now issuing the following advice to help you keep safe:

Do not give any personal information to organisations or people before verifying they are genuine;
Do not click on phishing emails. Banks and other financial organisations will not ask you to click on a link to confirm details;
Use a spam filter. If you detect a phishing email, mark the message as spam and delete it;
Never respond to an email from an unknown source and take care not to click any embedded links;
Look out for poor spellings and emails containing vague terms, this may be a scam;
Install up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer and ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes;
Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering you business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For more advice please visit https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud.

If you have been a victim or know someone who has been a victim of fraud please call 101, report it online by visiting https://www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Essex Police recorded a record number of drug driving cases in January

They arrested 163 people on suspicion of drug driving in January – a record number for a single month.
The figure is up 17 percent on the previous highest of 139 from December 2018.

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “This is a staggering number and follows a trend we’ve been seeing throughout the last 12 months.

“In November last year drug driving arrests outstripped drink driving arrests in Essex for the first time ever.

“Last month we’ve seen 50 percent more drug driving arrests than drink driving arrests and the highest number of drug driving arrests in Essex ever.”

“Vehicles are stopped thanks to information from the public and hits on automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras but on most occasions vehicles are stopped by officers who witness erratic or poor driving.

“That’s because having drugs in your system impacts on your ability to drive and that puts your life at risk and those of other road users.”

He added that we’ve also found a link between drug driving and other forms of crime: “Last year we carried out a study of a sample of 231 people arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

“More than half of those arrested had been arrested before, and around a quarter had been arrested in connection with serious crimes including those linked to violence.

“This makes our work to tackle drug drivers even more important. It’s not just making our roads safer, but it’s helping to tackle and disrupt all sorts of other forms of crime.”

Mr Pipe added that our capability to detect and arrest drink and drug drivers is only going to increase in the future: “More officers around the force are being trained to use the drug wipes meaning we’ll have more opportunities to test drivers we stop and identify the ones breaking the law.

“We’re also going to benefit from the increase in our share of council tax. The force is going to get 215 extra police officers thanks to the rise in the 2019/20 precept – that’s brand new roles that don’t currently exist – and 21 of those are going to be coming to the Roads Policing Unit.

“This means we’re going to have more officers out keeping our roads safe, identifying poor driving, and detecting people who are drink or drug driving.

“Our message is simple: Drive Safe, Drive Sober.”
January also saw 104 people arrested on suspicion of drink driving and 29 for failing to provide a specimen.

In 2017, 754 people were arrested on suspicion of drug driving but that had risen to 1,039 in 2018.

The post Essex Police arrest record number of drug-drivers in January appeared first on Your Harlow.

A FOOD SHOP in Harlow Town Centre has been fined over £15,000 for contravening a number of health and safety notices.

Chick-Stop Limited, of 27 West Gate in the town centre pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following charges last year.

They returned to court and were sentenced on Thursday January 31st and fined a total of £15,170.00

Their guilty plea was taken into consideration.

They admitted guilt to the following.

1. On or about 06/06/2017 at Harlow in the county of Essex contravened or failed to comply with a provision of the EU Hygiene Regulations that was specified in column 1 of Schedule 2 to the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and whose subject matter was described in column 2 of that Schedule, namely 852/2004 in that you failed to comply with a Food Hygiene Notice dated 29 March 2017 to put in place, implement and maintain a food safety management system based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.

2. On or about 06/06/2017 at Harlow in the county of Essex contravened or failed to comply with a provision of the EU Hygiene Regulations that was specified in column 1 of Schedule 2 to the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and whose subject matter was described in column 2 of that Schedule, namely 852/2004 in that failed to comply with a Food Hygiene Notice dated 29 March 2017 to protect the premises against the accumulation of dirt, contact with toxic materials, the shedding of particles into food and the formation of condensation on surfaces and ensure the food premises are kept clean and maintained in a good state of repair .

3. On or about 06/06/2017 at Harlow in the county of Essex contravened or failed to comply with a provision of the EU Hygiene Regulations that was specified in column 1 of Schedule 2 to the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and whose subject matter was described in column 2 of that Schedule, namely 852/2004 in that failed to comply with a Food Hygiene Notice dated 29 March 2017 to ensure that food handlers are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity. Contrary to regulation 19(1) and (2) of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

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