FOURTEEN police officers reported being assaulted over the weekend during four separate incidents in the south of the county. Some of the officers reported being bitten and spat at while attending incidents in Basildon and Southend areas on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “Every day our officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities and do so with courage and professionalism. In the south of the county alone this weekend 14 colleagues reported being assaulted at incidents – this is not acceptable. It is testament to their dedication that they all remained on duty to continue helping to protect the public during a busy weekend and they are being supported by their managers. I am incredibly proud of them and all our officers who at times put their safety at risk to keep Essex safe. As the charges that have resulted against suspects this weekend demonstrate, we will act swiftly.”

Abigail O’Brien, 23, of Long Riding Basildon, was arrested and later charged with three counts of assaulting an emergency worker after three officers reported being assaulted after attending reports of a disturbance in Long Riding on Friday night (June 14). She is due at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on July 2.

John Collins, 21, of South View Road, Vange, was arrested and later charged with assaulting an emergency worker, assault, and criminal damage after an officer reported being spat at after attending a disturbance at an address in Southview Road, Vange on Friday, June 14. He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on July 15.

Matilda Selby, 18, of Southbourne Grove, Westcliff, was arrested and later charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker after officers reported being assaulted in Warrior Square, Southend in the early hours on Saturday (June 15). She is due at Southend Magistrates’ Court on July 1.

A 17 year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after seven officers reported being assaulted having attended reports of a disturbance at Pathways, Basildon on Thursday, June 13. She has since been released under investigation.

COCAINE worth thousands, £50,000 in luxury goods and £21,000 in cash are some of the criminal assets seized during day two of a countywide crackdown targeting those involved in drug dealing, knife crime and violent offences.

So far today, Wednesday June 19, officers have arrested 22 people during dawn raids in Harlow, Braintree, Colchester, Brentwood and Basildon.

Woodwards, Mark Hall Moors, Elderfield, Long Ley, The Chase, Quarry Springs, Abbeydale Close, Canons Gate and Watersmeet in Harlow.

A total of 43 people have been now been arrested as part of the crackdown, codenamed Operation Zeal, which began on Tuesday and aims to target ruthless and violent criminals responsible for causing the most harm in our communities.

At dawn today, nine properties were targeted at the same time in Harlow, North Weald and Takeley which were all linked to those suspected of being involved in the supply of Class A and B drugs.

During those raids 10 people were arrested and officers seized three kilos and 30 wraps of what is believe to be the Class A drug cocaine as well as suspected cannabis resin. They also seized £50,000 of luxury goods (including designer shoes and clothes) and £21,000 in cash both of which are believed to be the proceeds of crime.

At a separate raid in Cherrydown East, Basildon two men and one woman was arrested for drug offences after a search of the property found nearly £2,000 in cash hidden in shoes and wardrobes as well as suspected illegal drugs concealed in a shoe.

So far, since Operation Zeal began on Tuesday June 18, a total of 43 people have now been arrested for various offences including being concerned in the supply of drugs and conspiracy to supply drugs.

Approximately £75,000 in cash, thousands of pounds worth of Class A and B drugs and various weapons have also been seized and taken off our streets.

Det Supt Stuart Hooper of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate added: “We will continue to take the fight to criminals intent on causing harm in our communities.

“Operation Zeal has been a huge success so far with really harmful drugs and weapons removed from our streets and a number of people linked to this type of criminality arrested and in our custody.

“But we will not stop at this two days of action, every day our officers are out there on your streets, protecting you, our community, and arresting those who think they can ply their illegal trade, carry knives and harm others in our county – they can’t.

“Essex Police will continue to hunt down those criminals and put them behind bars where they belong.”
If you have information about crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A MAN who stabbed his landlord in the chest as they drove to Harlow town centre has been jailed.

Ainars Jozans, 29 of Pyenest Road, Harlow, received 64 months for wounding with intent and 12 months for possession of a knife, to run concurrent, at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, June 17.

He previously pleaded guilty to the offences at the same court on Wednesday, May 15.

The knife used in the attack has been seized and will be destroyed.

At around 5.30pm on Friday, December 7, Jozans gave his landlord cash that was owed in rent before asking for a lift to Matalan in Harlow town centre.

The victim kindly accepted and when they arrived, Jozans pulled out a knife, which he had hidden in his sleeve.

Jozans then stabbed the man to the side before the victim fought him off and called for help.

He managed to drive himself to hospital for treatment and Jozans was arrested the following day.

Sergeant Michael Orr, of Harlow CID, said: “Jozans willingly paid his landlord rent and he asked for a lift to the town centre.

“The victim went out of his way to help him, only to be stabbed to the side to the chest.

“He suffered a small puncture wound but bravely fought off his attacker and escaped.

“Jozans has never revealed why he carried out his unprovoked attack and he has now been locked in prison for a number of years.”

ESSEX Police has seized suspected class A drugs and arrested four people after carrying out search warrants at two Harlow homes.

It was part of a crackdown called Operation Zeal, which targeted those involved in drug dealing, knife crime and violent offences across Essex.

A police spokesperson said: “We searched the addresses in Park Mead and Sycamore Field last night, Thursday, June 20, after executing warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Drugs paraphernalia, wraps believed to contain heroin and bottles of suspected methadone were found in the Park Mead address.

A man and a woman both aged 43 and from Harlow were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

A quantity of suspected drugs were found in the Sycamore Field address. A 41-year-old man from Harlow was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of drugs, and a 16-year-old boy from Eltham in London was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.

All four currently remain in custody for questioning.

A total of 47 people were arrested in total as part of Operation Zeal, which began on Tuesday, June 18 and ran until yesterday.

Thousands of pounds in drugs, cash and luxury items were seized during the crackdown.

ESSEX Police is appealing for information after reports that two men were assaulted outside a service station in Kitson Way, Harlow, in the early hours of this morning, Saturday, 22 June.

The men, both aged in their 20s, remain in hospital with serious injuries.

It is believed that the two men were approached by a group of three or four other men near to the service station just before 2.45am.

They were then assaulted.

It is unclear at this stage if any of the parties are known to each other.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the assaults occur, and would also like to speak to a man who we believe could assist us in our investigations.

The man has been described as white, of heavy build and being aged in his 20s. He had short, light brown hair and wore shorts, trainers and no shirt.

We believe he left the area on foot shortly after the incident.

Anyone with information, or who may have been driving past and has available dashcam footage to view, is asked to call us on 101 quoting the incident number 210 of 22/06.

You can also call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ANOTHER very busy month for the Community Policing Team which started off with two drugs warrants being executed in Carters Mead and Rushton Grove, drugs were seized and arrests made. Speeding and road safety continues to be an issue and speed checks have been carried out in Paringdon Road, Church Langley, Momples Road and Mark Hall areas, a number of requests have been made for checks in various area’s throughout Harlow and the team will get out to other locations throughout the year.

As the weather improves so does the reports of nuisance motorbikes which causes upset to the local community, beat officers have been working hard to identify both the riders of owners of motorbikes that are used in an anti-social manner, this month four stolen mopeds have been recovered and a moped seized for being used in an anti-social manner, we will continue to take action against those who use bikes inappropriately. Please do report issues and where possible obtain the index number and description of the rider for your local beat officer to follow up on. Officers have also been making their presence known on both the cycle paths and in the Town Park on foot and on mountain bikes, these patrols are welcomed by the local residents and allow officers to get to areas often overlooked.

Some extra investment by Harlow Council has seen CCTV camera’s installed in the Market Street area of Old Harlow this is in direct response to reported issues with crime and anti-social behaviour and was an matter that was discussed at a public meeting earlier on in the year. The cameras will be a vital tool in preventing and detecting crime which will be complimented by your local beat officers patrolling the area and listening to local concerns.

On Friday 7th June a stabbing occurred in Terminus Street, CID officers were first on scene and administered first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived, over the weekend there was significant police activity in the Town Centre and I thank the locally community for their support. Section 60 (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act) search powers were authorised by a senior police officer and as a result of the hard work by local officers over the weekends 250 stop & searches were carried out, 7 arrests were made for various offences including possession of an offensive weapon, going equipped to steal & robbery, 11 people were dealt with for drug offences. CID officers are continuing to investigate the assault and are viewing CCTV from the area any information can be passed anonymously via crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Both the Community Police Team and the council Community Safety Team will be increasing our patrols and presence in the Town Centre to prevent violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

The ‘Only cowards carry’ knife bin remains outside Harlow Police station and in light of the above incident I would urge the local community to make full use of it to dispose of any unwanted knives to make sure they do not fall into the wrong hands. Only Cowards carry is a local charity that that was founded in November 2012 by Caroline Shearer in memory of her 17 year old son who was fatally stabbed. The charity provides knife bins and education throughout Essex, further information can be found at www.onlycowardscarry.org

On a lighter note the Harlow Carnival will take place on Sunday 30th June, police cadets have a float and officers will be working closely with the council to ensure the event runs smoothly, hopefully the weather will be better than last year !

Next month we welcome an additional four officers to the team, they will be heading up the new Town Centre Team and will be providing an increased presence in the Town whilst dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour. A great deal of information can be found on the Essex Police website www.essex.police.uk and more locally Harlow Community Policing Team post information on both Facebook and Twitter. As always the police station is open daily between 9am & 5pm and you can make contact with your local beat officers via the email address HarlowCPT@essex.pnn.police.uk. Or via telephone number 101

By Local Democracy Reporter
Piers Meyler

HUMAN rights campaigners have hit out at Essex Police after new figures revealed how the force is increasingly using spit guards including on children –the youngest being 15 years old.

Figures from Essex Police have shown spit guards have been used increasingly more frequently.

The controversial hoods are used to prevent suspects from spitting or biting and are pulled down over the person’s head.

They were introduced by the force in a bid to protect officers and members of the public from being infected with deadly diseases.

But civil liberties group Liberty branded use of the hoods “traumatic”.

There have been 138 incidents in which the hoods have been used since April 2018.

Specifically in 2018 there were 68 incidents of spit guards being used, but in just the first three months of 2019, spit guards were used 70 times.

It means in the three months of 2019 the technique has already been used more that it was for the period April to December 2018.

Rosalind Comyn, policy and campaigns officer at Liberty, said: “Being hooded is a traumatic experience which poses serious risks to people’s rights.

“It is deeply concerning to see these degrading devices being rolled out, often justified by exaggerated or incorrect claims about officers’ health, with little regard for the damage they may do to the people they are used against.”

At the announcement of the guards being rolled out in June 2017, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “Being spat on – with saliva and sometimes with blood too – isn’t just unpleasant.

“It risks contracting illness or disease or at the very least worry and stress that they (officers) might. I want officers out there keeping Essex safe, not sitting in a GP surgery scared for their wellbeing.

“I trust my officers to carry items of protective equipment like tasers, batons and in some cases firearms. I trust them to use that equipment professionally and there is no place in policing for people who do not do so.

“The decision to use these lightweight mesh guards will protect our protectors and allow police officers to do their work more safely with less need to restrain with force people taken into police custody.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Sadly being spat at is a reality for our officers.

“Just this weekend one of our officers, whilst performing their duty, was spat at and bitten.

“Our officers are dealing with incidents 24 hours a day, every day of the year and it is essential that we provide our officers with the means to protect themselves and spit guards are one of the pieces of equipment that we provide to do this.

“Being spat on isn’t just unpleasant but it risks our officers contracting an illness or disease or, at the very least causes additional stress and worry.
We introduced a new piece of kit the lightweight mesh spit guards as standard protective equipment for our officers.

“Recent figures show that since training began in spit guard use in April 2018, we only used them just 56 times in first eight months – just seven times a month.

“We trust our officers to carry a variety of equipment to protect themselves such as batons and Tasers, making sure we train them in their use.
Spit guards are just another item to help them carry out their duty and ultimately keep us safe.”

A SONIC boom had many in Harlow out of their houses and asking “what was that noise?”

At just after 1830 hours, the very loud boom was heard over the Harlow and Hertfordshire area.

This YH reporter was in the Garden India ordering a takeaway in Bush Fair when the noise was heard. People immediately thought it was something local as car and factory alarms went off but a check on social media saw people from Ongar to Bishops Stortford also asking what was that noise that had the windows rattling?

Essex Police has confirmed that it was a sonic boom from a passing aircraft.

Sources on Twitter claimed the RAF sent a typhoon jet to escort a plane to Stansted after a passenger became disruptive.

It is quite a rare occurrence over Harlow.

Update: 2000 hrs

A 25-year-old woman was arrested after causing a disruption on a Jet2 flight from Dalaman Turkey to Stansted.

Statement from Essex Police

“We were made aware of a disruptive passenger on an inbound flight to Stansted this evening, Saturday, 22 June.

“There is a possibility that residents nearby may have heard a loud noise, often associated with a sonic boom, as the aircraft descended into Stansted airspace.

“Officers attended and arrested a 25-year-old woman on suspicion of two assaults and endangering an aircraft.

“She remains in custody”.

A Royal Air Force spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that RAF quick reaction alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby scrambled to escort a commercial flight into Stansted shortly after take-off due to reports of a disruptive passenger.”

A Jet2 spokeswoman said: “We are aware of an incident regarding an extremely disruptive passenger on a flight from Stansted to Dalaman earlier this evening.

“The aircraft has returned safely and we are liaising with the relevant authorities to support their investigation.

“We are working hard to ensure the remaining customers reach their destination as soon possible.”

A HARLOW councillor has contacted the police over racist and offensive graffiti daubed on a road in Harlow.

Toddbrook councillor, Frances Mason discovered the shocking graffiti whilst on a walk on Sunday morning (June 23rd).

The graffiti was written on the new road opposite Mark Hall Sports Centre that leads down to the new developments in New Hall.

Cllr Mason said: ‘I was shocked to see extremely offensive and racist graffiti whilst walking with my husband and dog on Sunday morning.

This graffiti is large in scale with blue spray paint and would be clearly visible from above.

“I am saddened this type of racist and sexist abuse is present in our town, the perpetrators need to be found and held to account. The matter will be reported to Essex Police”.

YH went down and took photographs but has decided to only use one from a distance.

ESSEX Police has arrested five people this morning, Monday, June 24, in connection with two serious incidents in Harlow.

Officers from Harlow CID and our Operational Support Unit executed warrants at Fern Hill and Elizabeth Way caravan sites.

They arrested three boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, on suspicion of robbery and aggravated burglary and they arrested two boys, aged 14 and 16, on suspicion of theft of a vehicle.

They have seized a number of items including CS spray and a four-figure sum of cash.

PC Anne-Marie Hardingham, of Harlow CID, said: “We have successfully carried out a number of warrants at addresses in Harlow following two offences in the town.

“We have made a number of arrests and they continue to remain in custody for questioning.

“I would like to thank our officers for their support including our Operational Support Group for assisting with today’s warrant.”

The arrests follow a report at around 7.30pm on Sunday, May 19, that a man had his vehicle stolen at gunpoint in Fern Hill Lane.

They also follow a reported aggravated burglary in Hare Street Springs at around 3.15pm on Saturday, May 8, where a woman was threatened in her home and had phones, bank cards, cash and jewellery stolen.

Anyone with information about these incidents can call Harlow CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/72104/19 (Hare Street Springs) and 42/78710/19 (Fern Hill Lane).

Alternatively you can Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Harlow District Public Meeting – Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

IF you live or work in the Harlow area and have an interest in community safety matters come along to a public meeting being held by Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

It is taking place on Wednesday, July 3 between 6.30pm and 8pm at the Latton Bush Centre in Southern Way, Harlow, CM18 7BL.

Details of current crime trends and ongoing operations will be discussed at the meeting. People going along can also ask questions and raise any concerns.

Also attending the event with Roger Hirst will be Jane Gardner, the Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Essex Police’s local district commander plus representatives from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the local Community Safety Partnership.

Roger Hirst said: ““Public meetings are a great way to hear directly from local communities about concerns they might have and areas of activity that are in place and working well. Very often a joint approach is the answer to a problem. We hold regular public meetings across the county and with a panel of experts on hand, these meetings are a great way to find the solutions together. Do come along whether you have criticisms, compliments or constructive comments to make. We want to hear them all because your voices matter.”

More information about the work of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex is available on www.essex.pfcc.police.uk and also on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex’s social media channels. Search for @EssexPFCC on Facebook and Twitter.

Cyber-related sex crimes against children up to almost one every hour

· On average, police recorded 22 cyber-related sex crimes against children a day across UK in 2018/19

· In East of England there has been an 88% rise in four years

· NSPCC calls on the next Prime Minister to prioritise online safety by delivering statutory regulation to protect children from the risks of abuse

Children are increasingly being targeted on the web by sex offenders – with an average of 22 crimes a day taking place online across the UK last year, NSPCC figures have revealed.

Last year, a record 648 child sexual offences with an online element were logged by police forces in the East of England, accordinjng to figures obtained by the NSPCC through a Freedom of Information request.

That’s an increase of 88% from 2015/16 figures, when 345 offences were recorded.

A total of 40 out of 44 forces across the UK provided the NSPCC with data on cyber-related sex crimes against under 18s including online grooming, sexual communication with a child, and rape.

The charity now calls on the next Prime Minister to stand firm against industry lobbying by prioritising online safety and bringing in laws that deliver a change in protection against abuse.

Police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded 8,224 child sexual offences with an online element in 2018/19.

For offences where the age was recorded, 13 was the most common age of the victim but there were 185 offences committed against children aged ten and under; including babies yet to reach their first birthday.

The number of crimes nationally has doubled in the last four years since police began recording whether an offence had an internet element with a cyberflag, up from 4,042 in 2015/16.

The NSPCC fears that the figures may not reveal the true extent of the problem due to potential under-recording of the role of online in these crimes and wide logging variation across forces. It also comes on top of other online harms against children recorded by police such as indecent image offences.

The worrying figures have been revealed ahead of the NSPCC’s flagship annual conference How Safe Are Our Children? which begins today in London.

It comes just days before the Government closes its consultation on its Online Harms White Paper, which proposes to introduce an independent regulator to enforce a legal duty of care on tech companies to keep users safe on their platforms.

The NSPCC has led the charge on this for the past two years with its Wild West Web campaign.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, said: “Behind each offence is a child suffering at the hands of sex offenders and, worryingly, we know these figures are the tip of the iceberg.
“Far too many children are drowning in a sea of online threats so it’s now time for the next Prime Minister, whoever he may be, to cast out the life jacket.
“He must hold his nerve and introduce an independent regulator to protect children from the risks of abuse and harmful content.”

Two charged with burglaries in assisted living facilities

A man and a boy will appear in court today, 25 June, having been charged with 19 offences of conspiracy to commit burglary across the east of England.

James Kerrigan, 35, of no fixed address and a 16-year-old boy from Harrow, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested on 23 June.

It follows reports of burglaries at assisted living facilities across Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey Cambridge and Hampshire between May and June this year.

In Essex, it is alleged that properties in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Loughton, Ongar and Harlow were targeted.

The pair have been remanded and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.

A HARLOW woman has pleaded guilty to assaulting seven police officers at at hotel in Harlow.

Morrell Elliott, aged 21. of Chapel Fields, Harlow pled guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates court.

She also pled guilty to criminal damage as follows: On 02/06/2019 at Harlow without lawful excuse, damaged a window handle, a hairdryer, and computer equipment, approximately worth, £1,260 belonging to Travelodge Hotels Ltd intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

Elliott will be sentenced on Monday July 1st.

AN EMPLOYEE of a Harlow store pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods.

Sean Tack, aged 36, of Doulton Close, Church Langley, Harlow pled at Chelmsford Magistrates court to the following.

Between 13/10/2018 and 31/10/2018 at Harlow stole multiple items, to the value of £393.87 belonging to B&M Stores, Harlow, whilst in employment with B&M Harlow, making no attempt to pay for such items.

Tack was fined £563.87 and required to carry out unpaid work for 60 hours within the next twelve months.

A HARLOW man has been banned after being caught under the influence of drugs.

Colin Hodge, aged 37, of Old London Road, Harlow pled guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates court to the following.

On 04/01/2019 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely Vauxhall Vectra on a road, namely A414, when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, in your blood, namely 2.5Mg in 100ml, exceeded the specified limit

Hodge was banned from driving for twelve months, make subject to a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and fined £120.

A BOY has been charged with theft and possession of a knife following reports of an incident in Harlow.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today, Friday 28 June, charged with two counts of theft and possession of a knife in a public place.

It follows reports that a staff member was threatened in Dominos at Staple Tye Shopping Centre, in Southern Way, at around 10pm on Wednesday 26 June.

The police arrested a boy in Abercrombie Way, Harlow, at around 11pm.

SEVENTY-three new police officers are ready to police the streets of Essex after the biggest intake of officers in Essex Police’s modern history officially swore their oaths to protect and serve Essex.

They were welcomed into the force by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington. Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Jane Gardner and James Bettley, High Sheriff of Essex.

The 73 officers, split into Intake K1, K2, K3 and K4, have been put through their paces over the last 18 weeks as they trained to become Police Constables.

After pledging their commitment today to serve the residents of Essex, they will be posted across the county to protect your local community.

Our new recruits will continue their training on the beat with different teams in the force including local policing teams, domestic abuse teams and child abuse investigation teams.

In his third and biggest passing out parade as Chief Constable, Mr Harrington read out messages of congratulations from the families of some of the officers and congratulated the team on behalf of the wider force.

He said: “It’s a big day. A very big day. Nineteen weeks after I welcomed you all to the Essex Police College, you are now part of the biggest passing out parade in the modern history of Essex Police – 73 officers and I am proud of every one of you.

“Policing in Essex as we know it dates from 1840 and people like you have been passing out on this ground since the early part of the 20th Century. Policing has got busier since then, but at its core and in our heart, policing still does the same thing. You help people, you protect vulnerable people and you catch criminals.

“I have no doubt that the careers you make will be successful. If you are curious, challenge yourselves, work as a team and always look to learn, there are endless opportunities for you because you’re in the best job in the world.”

During their training course to become Police Constables, the students collectively raised almost £10,000 for charity.

Students in Intake K1 and K3 raised £4,191.60 for Hope for Grace, a fund set up for Grace who is the daughter of two serving Essex Police colleagues. Grace is 1 of just 20 people in the world who suffers from a gene mutation which is heavily linked to epilepsy.

Students in Intake K2 raised £2,259.60 for Myeloma UK, a blood cancer charity while students in Intake K4 raised £3,311.60 for Forget Me Not – Memory Café, a dementia charity based in Essex.

Cheques were presented by each intake to representatives from the charities during the ceremony.

The event saw PC Kyle Wingfield awarded the Essex Police College Shield. PC Benjamin Houghton-Clarke scooped the Class Trophy for Intake K1, PC Steven Norton was awarded the Class Trophy for Intake K2, PC Joshua Lindley was awarded the Class Trophy for Intake K3 and PC Joshua Preston was awarded the Class Trophy for Intake K4.

Recruitment for police officers is currently open. Do you want to work in a unique role where every day could be different? Apply online today at www.essex.police.uk/fitthebill

CLOSE TO two hundred cannabis plants were found after police raided a property in Milwards.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We executed a warrant at an address in Milwards, Harlow, at around 7.40am today, Saturday 29 June.

“Officers from Harlow’s Community Policing Team searched the address and found up to 200 cannabis plants inside.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Harlow CPT on 101 quoting incident 292 of 29/06 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A MAN has been fined hundreds of pounds for stealing chocolate at the Sainburys petrol station in Chafford Hundred, Thurrock.

David White, aged 18, of Terminus Street, Harlow, pled guilty at Basildon magistrates court to the following.

On 04/05/2019 in Chafford Hundred stole one box of Mars duo chocolate and one box of Snickers duo chocolate to the value of thirty eight pounds and 5 pence (38.05), belonging to Sainsburys petrol station, Chafford Hundred.

White was fined a total of £325.00