THE TREATMENT of a Harlow rape victim is set to be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday morning.

The survivor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attended one of Harlow MP’s Robert Halfon’s surgeries and detailed their treatment after making a complaint of rape.

After meet them, Mr Halfon pledged to bring the complaints to the attention of the minister.

This matter will now be discussed in what is called a Westminster Hall debate.

Mr Halfon said: “Is it any wonder that survivors of sexual violence do not report to the police or drop charges along the way, when we look at the process by which these individuals must go through.

We all have a duty to make sure that justice is fair and that those who suffer are looked after properly, says Robert Halfon MP. Credit: PA Images
Something is deeply wrong with the Criminal Justice System when it comes to rape and sexual assault. Only 15% of sexual violence cases are reported to police. And, only 7.5% of rape charges result in conviction. The statistics around sexual assault and rape are dire and demand urgent Government attention.

So, when I met with an inspirational survivor of attempted rape at one of my surgeries in Harlow, I was devastated to learn about the way in which she was treated, after she courageously made the decision to go to the police.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, my Harlow constituent waited eight hours in discomfort, exhaustion and emotional trauma to have forensic evidence collected at the sexual assault referral centre, or “SARC”. She was not permitted to wash. She was asked to strip down, before being swabbed from head to toe and photographed. She was then interviewed and asked intrusive, personal questions. All the time, she was constantly waiting for nurses, detectives and support staff to tend to her.

As often the first port of call after an assault, SARCs play a crucial role in the victim’s ability to secure justice – it is possibly the most critical part of the process in obtaining forensic evidence that can be used by the prosecution at trial. And yet, we make victims wait in prolonged distress and discomfort, knowing that otherwise they risk vital evidence being lost, due to a lack of qualified staff.

In the lead up to trial and cross-examination (what my constituent described as, “a torturous experience of being asked the most vulgar questions”), sexual assault victims are not getting the proper psychological support they need.

Waiting times are as long as one year for counselling and even when individuals are offered counselling sessions, this may only be for a course of just a few weeks.

It was only when my Harlow constituent realised that she needed much more counselling and actively pressed for it, that she was given more. However, on top of her emotional trauma, my constituent felt guilty – that she was possibly depriving someone else of vital support. This is not a concern that a person who has already been through an emotional ordeal should have.

Resources are limited – I accept this, but statistics in this area of justice are dire, and they are not getting any better. Research from Victim Support shows that in the year 2017-18, the number of rape referrals from the police to the CPS fell by 9%. The number of suspects charged for rape fell by 8% and the number of rape prosecutions fell by 13%. The volume of sexual offence prosections, excluding rape, also fell by 11%.

And is it any wonder that survivors of sexual violence do not report to the police or drop charges along the way, when we look at the process by which these individuals must go through?

The Government’s Victims Strategy made a welcome commitment of increased spending from £31 million in 2018 to £39 million in 2020/21 to improve services and pathways for survivors. But, on £10 million lesser funding, Rape Crisis’ centres are supporting thousands more victims of sexual violence each year than Government-funded NHS SARCs. We need to look at how this money is being used.

Clearly, not enough is being done to ensure that this money is actually seen by the end user – the victim – nor can the Rape Support Fund be said to fulfil its purpose of offering “support”. This extra investment should be ring-fenced for the proper staffing of support services, to speed up waiting times and allow victims of sexual assault and rape to start getting on with their lives.

We all have a duty to my constituent, and the thousands of other victims, to make sure that justice is fair and that those who suffer are looked after properly.

A HARLOW survivor of an attempted rape has spoken out about the changes she wants to see in the criminal justice system.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came to the House of Commons on Wednesday morning to see her MP call for increased sentencing for attempted rape.

She was attacked in the Water Gardens car park back in May 2018 by Ebbs Artez. He was jailed for six years. That has now been reduced to just three.

She sat in the Grand Committee room whilst Robert Halfon MP presented the motion.

Visiting the House of Commons was not easy. In some ways, she had swopped the arena of judicial courtroom for a political one.

YH spoke to her afterwards, and asked her why, after the court case had sentenced her attacker, did she decide to contact her MP.

She said: “It was mainly for change. I wanted to make changes to the whole process that rape survivors are subjected to.

“I want to see more support for survivors. I want to know that they have someone there who looks after them and helps them as an individual and not as a case number, another person on their list”.

Referring to the eight hours she spent with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). “I want to see more staff available. In his speech, Robert Halfon detailed the process I had to go through, with people coming and going. Delay after delay. They were very apologetic but it isn’t good enough.

“The politicians made some great points but we will see what happens.

“Above all today has been part for a healing process. I feel like I am doing something good and making my voice known. If other people can’t speak then maybe I can make changes for them. We can all rebuild our lives. We don’t have to suffer in silence.”

“But if you have been attacked, please report it. You will be supported and you will get help”.

AS you can see from our two previous articles, the case of the attempted rape of a Harlow women in the Water Gardens car park in May 2018, may have far reaching consequences.

Not only was she brave enough to report it but she has also been determined enough to now call for changes in the system.

These calls have been repeated by Rape Crisis Essex.

A representative from Rape Crisis Essex said:

“The representation from the MP for Harlow this morning strongly reinforces issues Rape Crisis know to be widespread from our frontline experience of providing specialist sexual violence and abuse support services and from what victims and survivors routinely tell us.

Rape Crisis has been calling for a complete overhaul of the criminal justice system in relation to sexual violence and abuse, which currently fails victims and survivors at every stage of the process, for years.

In response to concerns raised, the Government is currently conducting an end-to-end review of the criminal justice system regarding rape and sexual offences, with which we are actively engaging. This review must take into account every aspect of victims’ and survivors’ experiences, including sentencing guidelines.

It’s clear that victims’ rights within the existing Victims’ Code are still not being applied consistently across the country. For example, victims and survivors are still having to request special measures in court in many instances. We look forward to working with the new Victims’ Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC and the new Solicitor General Lucy Frazer QC MP on addressing these and other long-standing concerns going forward.

Today’s debate in Westminster Hall also highlighted how vital it is that Government and Local Authority funding be made available to ensure victims and survivors have access to specialist independent support and advocacy services when they need them. The Rape Support Fund from the Ministry of Justice has contributed towards such provision in recent years but in no way fully funds specialist services or ensures they can sustain and grow to meet the unprecedented and increasing need and demand from victims and survivors.”

Essex Rape Crisis Partnership-  SYNERGY ESSEX. www.synergyessex.org.uk   
Confidential phone line:  0300 003 7777

AS reported earlier, Harlow MP Robert Halfon was granted a Westminster Hall debate in the House of Commons on rape trials and the Crown Prosecution Service’s treatment of victims after being contacted by a constituent.

http://www.yourharlow.com/2019/05/16/harlow-mp-robert-halfon-calls-for-increase-in-sentencing-for-attempted-rape/

As there was a number of criticisms regarding the investigative process, we invited Essex Police to make a statement.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron, Head of Crime and Public Protection at Essex Police, said: “Investigations into sexual offences are complex, and, sadly, due to the nature of the offence, often very intrusive.

“When victims are already suffering the trauma of an assault, and feel violated, we try to make the challenging experiences of investigation and prosecution as bearable as possible.

“Our specially trained officers work with the Essex specialist sexual violence and abuse partner organisations (SYNERGY Essex) to ensure that a victim’s experience throughout this time period is handled as sensitively, and with as much dignity, as possible. We balance this with making absolutely every endeavour to secure justice for them. In the case of this victim, I am pleased that we were able to bring her attacker to justice.

“We understand that reporting a sexual offence is an incredibly difficult and brave thing to do, and we know that these offences are grossly underreported. We want
to help and support you and, if you have been a victim of these offences, would encourage you to call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

“You can also visit the Essex Rape Crisis Partnership’s website at www.synergyessex.org.uk for advice or call their confidential phone line on 0300 003 7777.”

THE Independent Custody Visiting Scheme run by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Office has been awarded a prestigious national award for the quality of its independent custody visiting scheme.

The inaugural Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA*) Quality Assurance awards were presented at a ceremony at the House of Lords on Wednesday 15 May.
ICVA is the national organisation which supports, leads and represents locally-run custody visiting schemes. Schemes manage teams of independent volunteers who visit those detained in police custody.

Volunteers make unannounced visits to police custody to check on the rights, entitlements, well-being and dignity of detainees held in police custody, reporting their findings to Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners who in turn hold Chief Constables to account.

The Quality Assurance awards were introduced by ICVA to help schemes:

Reflect on how they comply with the Code of Practice, the legislation that underpins custody visiting.
Celebrate areas of strength.
Promote custody visiting and the achievements schemes have made.
Drive performance and increase sharing of good practice

Welcoming the award, Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex said: “We have an excellent group of volunteers who work hard to provide an independent assessment of the quality and safety of custody across Essex. As well as helping the custody teams at Essex Police maintain their high standards the
Essex ICVs have also highlighted issues that have led to changes in the national standards.”

Martyn Underhill, Chairman of ICVA, said: “These awards recognise the standard of scheme being run in the area, and help drive up the standards of our schemes across the UK. Warm congratulations to all of the winners.”

Katie Kempen, Chief Executive at ICVA said: “Independent custody visiting schemes ensure that the public have oversight of a high pressure and often hidden area of policing. These awards demonstrate how local schemes use volunteer feedback to make change and ensure that police custody is safe and dignified for all. I congratulate schemes on their accomplishments.”

ESSEX Police is appealing for witnesses to a disturbance in which a man was threatened with a broken bottle.

A teenage boy was involved in an argument with staff at the McDonald’s restaurant in Broad Walk, Harlow, at 5.20pm on Sunday, May 12.

He then threatened a 25-year-old staff member with a broken bottle. He was unhurt.

The suspect was described as wearing a black Nike puffa jacket, black Nike jogging bottoms and a dark woolly hat.

Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to call Harlow CID on 101, quoting reference 42/74323/19.

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

THEFT from motor vehicles continues to be an issue in the area especially with vans being targeted and tools stolen from within, we have increased our patrols, seized several vehicles containing stolen tools and made a number of arrests. If you are the owner of a van please take steps to prevent yourself being a victim of crime, where possible remove valuable equipment from vehicles overnight. Park in well-lit area’s & close to buildings preventing access to doors, if you have access to a garage or secure lock up please use it. Many of the vehicle offences occur overnight so if you see anything suspicious please make a report so we can investigate. www.immobilise.com is a free service where you can register your valuables and equipment, giving us more opportunity to reunite property with its owner should it get stolen and recovered. There is also a great deal of crime prevention advice on the Essex Police website www.essexpolice.co.uk

Five more officers have recently been trained on the use of speed detection devices and have put this to full use conducting speed checks in Church Langley and Parringdon Road. I have seen from social media various requests for checks to be done in other area’s and we will make sure that checks are carried out throughout Harlow, whilst this is an excellent way of promoting road safety and reducing accidents it’s also a good way of identify those who use vehicles & the road networks to commit crime. We have also been listening to feedback from the public and with an increase in staff we have been able to provide a more visible presence especially with officers on foot patrol together with our colleagues from the Community Safety Team at Harlow Council.

Essex Safeguarding Board in partnership with the Children’s Society & Barnardos are holding an event for parents & carers to learn more about criminal & sexual exploitation, children that go missing, gangs, youth violence, trafficking and online sexual abuse. The event will be a chance to drop in and speak to a range of professionals that can offer advice and support, there are a number of talks throughout the day which you can book in advance or just attend on the day (subject to availability) Saturday 15th June 10am-4pm at The Harlow Playhouse. More details can be found at www.escb.co.uk/exploitation.

The Community Policing Team regularly place posts on our Facebook & Twitter sites giving information on our day to day work and is well worth a look, we often have appeals for information and circulate details of wanted people and information regarding recent crime. The sites also gives information on our public meetings, you can find this by following Essex Police – Harlow.

The Community Policing Team have officers dedicated to specific wards, they are your local officers and should be a point of contact for community issues. The beats are a collective of council wards;

Netteswell & Toddbrook – Pc’s Carl Wright & Lauren Murray. Pcso’s Laura Cartwright, Rachel Ranson & Rebecca Durrant
Hare Street & Little/Great Parndon – Pc’s Harriet Dodd & Paul Harrison. Pcso Sharon Macdonald.
Mark Hall & Bush Fair – Pc’s Jason Hardy & Trevor Arnold. Pcso David Moore
Staple Tye & Sumners – Pc’s Allen Kittles & Craig Upton. Pcso Tony Gibson
Old Harlow, Church Langley & Harlow Common – Pc’s Chris Oliver & Neil Armor. Pcso Peter Kearney

As always the Police Station at Harlow is open daily between 9am & 5pm. Contact can be made with the Community Policing Team by calling 101 or emailing HarlowCPT@essex.pnn.police.uk . Follow our Facebook & Twitter pages for regular updates. Information can be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

Tony Walker
Inspector 2525
Harlow Community Policing Team

POLICE Officers investigating an aggravated burglary in Harlow are releasing CCTV images of three men they want to speak to.

A spokesperson said: ‘We were called at around 3.25pm yesterday, Wednesday, May 8, with reports two men had forced entry to a property in Hare Street Springs as a woman was sleeping.

“We believe they went upstairs and demanded cash and jewellery while a third man waited outside.

“They left with phone, jewellery and bank cards.

“If you recognise the men pictured, saw or heard anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage or have any other information we need you to call us”.

Anyone with information is asked to call Harlow CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/72104/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

By Local Democracy Reporter
Steve Shaw

THE leader of Essex County Council has been accused of misjudging crime priorities by failing to stand up for the county in the face of police cuts, despite pledging £500,000 of council money to fight county line drugs gangs.

David Finch repeated council action to offer £500,000 of extra funding to help police tackle so-called county lines drugs in Full Council yesterday.

But the move was decried as trivial given the scale of cuts the force has faced – it lost 400 officers between 2011 and last year.

And although those numbers are increasing again – 150 new police officer were recruited last year and another 215 will be over the next year – Lib Dem Barry Aspinell councillor said Cllr Finch should have spoken out more at the time.

He said: “In February you gave us the spiel about this being the best this council or any administration has ever put forward in this great county of ours.

“And now you are crowing about putting money into helping the police and crime commissioner look after some of the problems we have got in Essex.

“Where were you when the previous police and crime commissioner closed dozens of police stations around Essex and sacked hundreds of police officers, leading to this rise in crime?

“We have young people in Essex being knifed to death. We have drugs running rife throughout the county.

“And you are telling us you are putting £500,000 to fight that.

“We needed you when it was needed to stand up for us and our community to stop the Conservative crime commissioner move to reduce the effectiveness of crime prevention in Essex.”

On tackling the scourge of county lines gangs, the first Violence and Vulnerability Round Table took place on May 10.

This forum is the first of a series of multi-agency meetings which bring together the police, youth offending services, public health, and local government to create a partnership approach to dealing with all violent crime in Essex.

ECC says the funding will help the partnership to undertake early identification, referral and support of those at risk, to provide education, myth busting, skills and qualifications to vulnerable young people so they are less likely to become involved in gang activity, and to undertake disruption activity to create the conditions in which gang activity cannot thrive.

Cllr Finch said: “The decision made in terms of the force and distribution of the force and efficiency of the force is a matter for the police and crime commissioner.

“Let me be clear, in putting forward the £500,000. I didn’t do that for the benefit of the police force, I did that for the benefit of residents of Essex.

“Those are the people who are suffering with crime and those are the people who are suffering from the issues of drug peddling.

“It would be remiss of me and my cabinet to ignore those issues.

“Where there is the opportunity to find funding it is the right thing to do.”

POLICE Officers investigating a theft from a machine which contains Bit Coins are releasing a CCTV image of three men they want to speak to.

It happened at the Harvey Centre shortly after 5pm on April 22.

The machine was damaged and cash boxes were removed from inside.

Officers say they are linking this incident to similar thefts in Essex and London where the amount taken is worth a five-figure sum.

If you recognise these men or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/62913/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

FOUR young people from Harlow have launched a campaign to address the problem of crime and fear of crime in Harlow.

Their organisation is called “People Make A Difference”.

YH met two of the members, Marlie James and David Woolcott and asked them to tel us little bit more about the organisation and their plans for the future.

ESSEX Police are investigating after a teenager was robbed in Harlow.

The 18 year-old victim reported he was assaulted by two other teenagers who then stole a bag and his clothes from him.

It happened at around 11pm near to the Tesco in Church Langley Way on Sunday, May 19.

One of the teenagers is described as white and wearing a grey Nike hooded top and grey trainers while the other is described as white and wearing an army camouflage jacket and jeans.

They are both described as being in their late teens.

In particular we want to speak to anyone who saw someone in the area in a state of undress.

If you saw or heard anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/78573/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ESSEX Police are appealing for information after a woman was robbed in Harlow.

The victim, who’s in her 30s, was threatened by a man with a knife at an address in Dadswood at around 7.20pm on Sunday, May 19 who then took a three-figure sum of cash.

The man is described as black, slim, about 5ft 9ins or 5ft 10ins tall, clean shaven and wearing a green jacket, blue tracksuit trousers and black trainers.

If you saw or heard anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/78494/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NEARLY 600 suspected members of county lines drugs gangs have been arrested across the UK in the past week, the National Crime Agency has said reports the BBC.

Police forces led by the National County Lines Coordination Centre also seized cocaine worth £176,780; £312,649 in cash; and 46 weapons.

The NCA estimates there are about 2,000 city-based gangs exploiting young people to sell drugs in smaller towns.

It says tackling the gangs is a “national law enforcement priority”.

In the operation between 13 and 20 May:

• 500 men and 86 women were arrested
• 519 vulnerable adults and 364 children in need of support were helped
• 30 people were identified as potential victims of slavery or human trafficking
• Four guns were seized, as well as swords, machetes, an axe, knives, samurai swords, and a crossbow
• Drugs including cocaine with a street value of £176,780, crack worth £36,550 and £17,950 of heroin were recovered

County line drugs gangs groom young people and vulnerable adults to courier drugs from urban centres into more rural areas.

NCA County Lines lead Nikki Holland said the latest police operation “demonstrated the power of a whole-system response to a complex problem that we’re seeing in every area of the UK”

Ms Holland called on professionals working with people at risk of being involved in county line operations to assist, saying: “It’s the nurses, teachers, social workers, GPs, and anyone who works with young or vulnerable people, that can really help to make a difference.”

Last week three drug dealers from London and Kent who used vulnerable teenagers to traffic crack cocaine and heroin to Portsmouth were jailed in a “landmark case”.

They are believed to have been the first to have been charged with modern slavery offences.

A HARLOW man has been given a four year driving ban after being found guilty of drinking and driving.

Shorne Boylan, aged 47, of Hare Street Springs, was found guilty of the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.

On 07/04/2018 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely Kia Sportage on a road, namely Hare Street Springs , after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 113 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.

Boylan was banned four years and fined £1290.00

DETECTIVES investigating an attempted robbery in Harlow on Sunday, May 4, have released an e-fit of a person they would like to speak to.

It was reported that around 8pm, the victim, a 14-year-old boy, was approached by two teenagers whilst he was cycling along a path near to Stoney Wood.

This is the cycle track that runs between Westfield and towards the town centre.

One of the people threatened the boy with a handheld multi-tool and demanded that he handed over his bike.

A member of the public walked past and the two people ran off.

No one was hurt during the incident and nothing was stolen.

If you recognise the person in the efit or witnessed the incident, please contact Harlow CID on 101, quoting crime reference 42/69858/19

Information can also be given completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org

AN OLD Harlow man may face trial after a number of alleged offences in relation to harassment.

Paul Bidgood, aged 71, of Jocelyns, Harlow was charged with the following.

On 04/12/2018 at Harlow without reasonable excuse did an act, namely attended an address in Harlow and shouted abuse at another, wrote words on her car, filmed her and took photographs, which you were prohibited from doing by a non-molestation order made by Chelmsford Family Court on 13th September 2018

On 12/02/2019 at Epping without reasonable excuse did an act, namely attended a dance class in Epping whereby another persons was present, which you were prohibited from doing by a non-molestation order made by Chelmsford Family Court on 13th September 2018

Between 03/12/2018 and 13/02/2019 at Harlow pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of another and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her in that attended an address where you the victim to be, took photographs of the victim in bed, set up a camera outside the address you knew the victim to be, photographed her vehicle, videoed the address the victim was at and attended a dance class where the victim was.

Bidgood was remanded on bail until his next attendance at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

ROBERT Halfon, MP for Harlow, has pledged his support for Church Langley Community Primary School, after sports equipment was left damaged and vandalised in a recent incident.

In a letter to the school’s Headteacher, Mrs Stacey Ward, Robert expressed his sincere sympathies and pledged £100 that he has managed to raise towards the cost of replacing the equipment.

He described the incident as “devastating”, not only for pupils and teachers at Church Langley School, but also the other schools who use the PE equipment for their sports clubs.

He also commended the Harlow community by saying: “In light of these events, it has been extremely reassuring to see how our Harlow community has come together, to extend their support and to raise funds for new equipment. It is a reminder to us that in times of hardship we can still rely on others for help.”

The school are continuing to fundraise via a GoFundMe page and Robert has encouraged residents to support their local school if they can: www.gofundme.com/help-cl-school-fund-their-pe-equipment

TWO Harlow men are set to stand trial over allegations of cocaine dealing.

Richard Findon, aged 27, of Park Mead, Harlow and David Findon, aged 30, of Park Mead, Harlow have been charged with the following.

Richard Findon

On 23/07/2018 at Harlow had in your possession a quantity of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B in contravention of section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 23/07/2018 at Harlow were concerned in the supplying of 4.94g of cocaine, a controlled drug of class A, to another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 23/07/2018 at Harlow were concerned in the supplying of 67.62g of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, to another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

David Findon

On 23/07/2018 at Harlow in the county of Essex had in your possession 4.94g of Cocaine, a controlled drug of class A with intent to supply it to another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 23/07/2018 at Harlow had in your possession 67.62g of cannabis a controlled drug of class B with intent to supply it to Another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 23/07/2018 at Harlow supplied 4.94g of cocaine, a controlled drug of class A to another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

They have been sent for trial to Chelmsford Crown Court for June 17th, 2019.
Released on conditional bail.
No indication of any plea as yet.

ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage in connection with a collision on the M11 between Harlow and Stansted.

It happened at around 2pm on Sunday, May 19.

It was reported a silver BMW convertible had been in collision with a Mini on the northbound carriageway.

A 35 year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

He has since been released under investigation.

The police need to speak to anyone who saw or has dash cam of the collision or the way the BMW was being driven before it took place.

If you have any information please call them on 101 quoting incident 713 of May 19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.