POTTER Street residents have hit back at claims by a police officer that they are conducting a “witch-hunt” against youths accused of being involved in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

AS YH has reported, shopkeepers at Prentice Place and local residents have made numerous complaints regarding youths “laying siege” to them.

Incidents include throwing fireworks into shops such as the fish and chip shop, breaking into the flat at Prentice Place, breaking into the area where work equipment is and placing shopkeepers in a set of fear and alarm.

The shopkeepers and residents set up a Facebook Messenger page and one Harlow police officer was a member of the group. However, it appears that he felt some of the members were targeting two teenagers in particular. He stated: “The page, although highlighting the asb issues of Prentice Place has also become a witch hunt for two individuals for which investigations are running on numerous levels.”

Local resident, Colin Thorp hit back. Mr Thorp said: “This is not a witch-hunt. Shopkeepers and residents want to be left alone to get on with their lives without fear.

“This is not just about Potter Street. It is also about Bush Fair, Church Langley, the town centre, to name just two areas”

YH out the concerns to the district commander, chief inspector Natalia Ross. She said: “I am aware there have been continuing issues with anti-social behaviour in Prentice Place, particularly involving the scaffolding at Ostler House.

We have been working and patrolling the area and working with partners to find solutions. We have also been working to identify who the other people are in the group so we can address them individually with their parents.

Two individuals were recently identified and their parents were issued with community protection warnings which includes a condition not to cause ASB.

Investigations remain ongoing involving these individuals and others.
I have not seen the comments on the closed Facebook Messenger group myself, so I cannot confirm if only two named individuals have been mentioned more often than others.

However, we will not tolerate continuous anti-social behaviour from anyone and it is clearly having a detrimental impact on the local community.

I have asked community policing team Inspector Tony Walker to organise a further patrol plan and a meeting with residents and business owners to discuss their concerns.

I urge the local community to call us on 101 (or 999 in an emergency) so that we can respond to these incidents as they are happening.

“Although it is important to report via other partner agencies, we are in the best position to address incidents as they happen”.

POLICE Officers executed a warrant at an address on Little Grove Field around 12.15pm on Wednesday 6 November.

A small quantity of drugs was found.

No arrests were made.

ONE of Essex’s senior detectives has won a major national award and named the best in the country by his peers.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, was named Senior Investigating Officer of the Year at the National Homicide Working Group Conference.

DCI Pasmore has 13 years’ experience leading major investigations and managing teams of detectives on some of our most high profile murder cases.

He said: “It’s very humbling. To be nominated in the first place is one thing but then to win such prestigious award nationally is difficult to get your head around really.

“I knew I wanted to be an SIO when I had worked in a tactical team where we were doing plain clothes and undercover work and really getting under the skin of the bad guys.

“For me the most gratifying part is getting justice for victims and their families. It never ceases to astonish me the dignity of the people I meet who are going through the most unimaginable of times.

“I tell them that, as a whole team, we’re going to put our arm around you, we’re going to take you through this journey as best we can and be there every step of the way.

“And then the most gratifying thing is sitting in that court room with those families and hearing that guilty verdict.

“Of course when it doesn’t go your way it’s a massive disappointment and that hurts because you feel you’ve let the family down but you try and pick yourself up because you’ve done the best job you can.”

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith, head of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “DCI Martin Pasmore is an absolute credit to Essex Police and the wider serious crime directorate and is a complete role model.

“He is an excellent detective who works tirelessly to get justice for victims and their families but perhaps his most important quality is the compassion, empathy and humanity with which he does this.

“He always tries to do what’s best for families and they are at the heart of every decision he makes.

“This national recognition for his dedication, professionalism, and detective work is thoroughly deserved.

“He’s an inspiration for other officers and I’m proud to say he’s part of the force.”

A PROLIFIC offender has been banned from Harlow town centre.

Magistrates at Chelmsford granted a criminal behaviour order against 28-year-old Rory Brytz on Tuesday 5 November.

It comes after Brytz was sentenced for obstructing a police officer who had attempted to stop and search him in December last year, following concerns he was involved in dealing drugs.

He is banned from the town centre unless he is attending pre-planned appointments or attending the police station.

He must also not make off from police officers or police community support officers, nor loiter in a public place while in possession of more than £50 in cash without reasonable excuse.

Brytz, of Bowhill Way, Harlow, is also banned from loitering in or around Harlow train station and having more than one mobile phone or sim card at any time without reasonable excuse. He must also provide the mobile number he is using to Essex Police.

He must meet the conditions of the criminal behaviour order for three years.

A HARLOW man has been charged with fly-tipping just outside Harlow.

Jason Parker, aged 32, of Taylifers, Harlow has been charged with the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.

On or about 17/09/2018 at Harlow deposited controlled waste, namely Not Specified, in or on land, namely Green Lane Matching Essex, without the authority of a current environmental permit issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

On or about 04/10/2018 at Harlow in the county of Essex failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed under section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 to serve a Notice on you in accordance with with that legislation and that the said Notice required you provide copy documentation by return of post or in person.

On or about 04/10/2018 at Harlow the defendant failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed under section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 to serve a Notice on you in accordance with with that legislation and that the said Notice required you provide copy documentation by return of post or in person.

Between 08/10/2018 and 28/06/2019 at Harlow failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed under section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 to failed to complay with the requirements of the said Notice.

A HARLOW man charged with criminal damage and making threats is set to stand trial next year.

Brendan Brytz, aged 35, of Brays Mead, Harlow has been charged with the following.

On 23/10/2019 at Harlow without lawful excuse, damaged a BMW to the value of £600 belonging to another intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

On 24/10/2019 at Harlow without lawful excuse, destroyed the drivers side windows of a BMW to the value of unknown belonging to another intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

On 24/10/2019 at Harlow sent to another an electronic communication, namely a text message which conveyed a threat for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom you intended that it or its contents or nature should be communicated

Brytz has been remanded on bail until February 4th, 2020 at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

Bail Conditions: Not to go to or enter the following roads; Hobtoe Road, Fold Croft, Well Lane and Hoddings Road which ends where Hobtoe Road intersects.

Brytz pleads not guilty.

Brytz plead guilty to the following charge.

On 27/10/2019 at Harlow produced 19 plants of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

A HARLOW woman has been banned after being caught driving whilst twice the legal limit.

Sarah Burnside, aged 37, of Spencers Croft, Harlow pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.

On 29/09/2019 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely Mercedes on a road, namely Tumbler Road , after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed

Burnside was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 20 months. She was also fined £257.00

A HARLOW teenager has pleaded guilty to dealing in crack cocaine and heroin.

Malakai Campbell, aged 18 of Ram Gorse, Harlow made the plea at Chelmsford magistrates court.

The charges were:

1. On 23/10/2019 at Harlow had in your possession a quantity of “crack” cocaine, a controlled drug of class A, with intent to supply it to Unknown persons in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 23/10/2019 at Harlow had in your possession a quantity of diamorphine, a controlled drug of class A, with intent to supply it to unknown persons in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 08/09/2019 and 23/10/2019 at Harlow were concerned in the supplying of a quantity of “crack” cocaine, a controlled drug of class A, to unknown persons in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 08/09/2019 and 23/10/2019 at Harlow were concerned in the supplying of a quantity of diamorphine, a controlled drug of class A, to unknown persons in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 23/10/2019 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.

Campbell has been remanded in custody until he appears for sentencing on November 28th at Chelmsford Crown Court.

ESSEX Police are no longer looking for a man they wanted to speak to in connection with the theft of a wallet in Harlow.

The incident was at McDonalds restaurant in Staple Tye Shopping Centre, Southern Way, on Friday 4 October.

They have identified the man and the wallet has been returned to its owner.

A RED and white dirt bike was stolen from a garage in Denby Grange, Harlow, on Friday 4 October.

Anyone with information on who is responsible or where the bike is should call Harlow CID on 101 quoting reference 42/158386/19.

No photo has been provided.

ESSEX Police has arrested a third man in connection with a fatal collision in Waltham Abbey last month.

A 21-year-old from Harlow was arrested in London at around 2.25pm yesterday, Monday 11 November, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and he has since been released on bail until Thursday 5 December.

A 21-year-old man from Wood Green, London, arrested on suspicion of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drug has been rebailed until 3 January 2020.

A 25-year-old man from Nazeing was taken to hospital while under arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and driving unfit through drink or drugs. He has been discharged from hospital and has been released on bail until 3 January 2020.

Police were called at around 8am on Saturday 12 October with reports that a black Volkswagen Golf R lost control and collided with a tree off Crooked Mile.

The vehicle came to a stop in a ditch. Sadly a man died of his injuries at the scene.

They can name him as Jack Richards, 29, from Waltham Abbey.

A post-mortem that was carried out last month gave the cause of death of multiple injuries.

Police are no longer looking for any other people in relation to this collision, however, they are keen to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle pre-collision or who saw two men running from the scene.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call the Serious Collisions Investigations Team on 101 quoting incident 296 of 12/10 or report information by visiting https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020119P12-PO1.

ESSEX Police is investigating a suspected arson attack on a house in The Dashes.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called shortly after 6.15am on Tuesday 12 November by colleagues at Essex Fire and Rescue Service with reports of a fire at an address on The Dashes in Harlow.

The fire is currently being treated as suspicious and enquires are ongoing.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Harlow police station on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, quoting crime reference 42/180009/19.

A HARLOW woman has pleaded guilty to possessing a CS gas canister and producing cannabis.

Caroline Wilkinson, aged 30, of Canons Gate, Harlow made the plea at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following charges.

On 18/06/2019 at Harlow produced a quantity of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 18/06/2019 at Harlow without the authority of the Secretary of State, had in your possession a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of a gas, namely CS GAS.

Wilkinson has been made subject to a community order. Curfew requirement with electronic monitoring: Be under a curfew for six weeks from October 31st.

She was also fined £170.00

By Insp Tony Walker

THE past month has been an incredibly busy one for the Community Policing Team at Harlow, starting off with the sentencing a of 9 people, 8 from Harlow for a number of burglary and vehicle crime offences including the theft of ATM machines throughout Essex and beyond. This investigation was managed by the Serious Crime Directorate and took many months and those involved were sentenced to between 3 & 7 years, for obvious reasons this work couldn’t not be publicised during the investigation but the sentencing goes someway to show the impact that this group had on the local community. A huge amount of work was done locally to support this investigation.

Officers from Harlow also supported colleagues in Thurrock following the very tragic circumstances of 39 bodies being found deceased in the back of a lorry after it had entered the UK from Europe, probably one of the largest investigations to take place in Essex with enquiries stretching across the world, local officers provided support in a number of areas including the preservation of scenes and providing support the local community, a truly tragic event which continues to be investigated.

The team executed four drugs warrants in Harlow, made a number of arrests and seized a quantity of drugs, warrants were executed in Brays Mead, Ridgeways, Newstead Way & Collins Meadow, at two of the address where large amounts of drugs were found those persons arrested were kept in police custody and placed before the next available court. These warrants do take up a significant amount of time with officers seizing the drugs, making properties safe, interviewing suspects and preparing case files for court. Drugs play a significant part in violent crime and anti-social behaviour in Harlow which we will continue to work hard to reduce.

Many of you raise concerns around drunks and rough sleepers in and around the bus terminal in Harlow over the last month we have been working closely with the Council Community Safety Team to address these concerns, arrest have been made for public order offences and 10 Community Protection Warning Notices have been issued, alcohol has been seized of and disposed in line with the Public Spaces Protection Order and we have been working with other agencies to secure shop fronts and to ensure local business’s sell alcohol appropriately and in line with their licence. Harlow Council have also worked with local charities to provide help and support to rough sleepers as the weather becomes colder.

There has been an increase in garage burglaries and the theft of number plates, garages are often seen as an easy target as they are often not always left as secure as other buildings and stolen number plates are used to commit further crime. I would urge residents to take precautions to ensure they do not become a victim of this type of crime. We have security devices available that we give out to those affected by burglaries but as always a wealth of crime prevention advice can be found at www.essex.police.uk.

Additional officers have been on duty on Halloween, at the fireworks display and on firework night, this has resulted in a reduction in the number of calls to police regarding anti-social behaviour which normally increases over this period. It was great to see many thousands of people enjoying a well organised safe Fireworks display provided for free by Harlow Council. It was also good to see a community event in Newhall on Halloween which no doubt reduced anti-social behaviour in the area, some of the team took time out to meet with youngsters and give them a guided tour of the police van.

Need to contact the Community Policing team for non-urgent matters? Please email HarlowCPT@essex.police.uk or call 101.

HARLOW’s hard-working cops have been clamping down on crime in Potter Street.

They have been keeping resident informed via their Facebook page.

They told readers: “We are aware of the issues in PotterStreet with ASB & Crime. Tonight(November 13th) PC Armor, Murray & Hankins have identified and arrested a 16yo male for racial abuse & damage in Brenthall Tower.

He remains with us whilst we progress the investigation.

“In addition to this, we have now arrested another young male in relation to the same offence, he is now also in our custody. We know that this is affecting the residents of PotterStreet and we will pursue those that cause issues.”

A POTTER Street man has been charged with stealing a bicycle worth. over £600.

Matthew Kirby, aged 28, of Brenthall Towers, Potter Street has been charged with the following.

On 19/09/2019 at Harlow, stole a pedal cycle to the value of £670.00 belonging to another.

Kirby has been remanded on conditional bail until December 23rd at Chelmsford magistrates court.

THIS Christmas parents can build their little ones a personalised Letter from Santa and feel good by doing their part to support children in need this Christmas by donating £5 to the NSPCC.

It’s a gift your family will treasure. And, with a suggested donation of £5 you’ll be helping support children who need it most this Christmas. The money will help the charity continue to provide vital services like Childline, which can often be the only place vulnerable young people can turn to over the holidays.

Choose the perfect letter for your little one from 8 new illustrations like ‘Reindeer Flying Practice’, ‘Christmas Disco’ and ‘Elves are Ready to Go!’. Tailor with the child’s name, address, gender, age, hobbies, best friend or family member’s name and a special message for a magical start to Christmas. Letters are age appropriate, with shorter text that is easier to read for younger children and longer letters for more advanced readers. The letters are also available in English and Welsh.

The deadline for ordering letters is 26 November for overseas, 4 December for Europe and 16 December for UK. You can order your letter (suggested £5 donation) here: https://letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk/letter-from-santa

A HARLOW woman has been jailed for stealing food from the Marks and Spencer store in Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

Sharon McCarthy, aged 51, of Hadley Grange, Church Langley, Harlow pleaded guilty to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.

On 21/09/2019 at Harlow, stole food and clothing items, to the value of £104.40, belonging to M&S Simply food, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.

On 30/10/2019 at Harlow, stole various food items, to the value of £76.20, belonging to M&S Simply Food low value shoplifting” within the meaning of s22A Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.

McCarthy was jailed for five weeks due to offending whilst being subject to a suspended sentence order.

She was also fined £180.60

A HARLOW man is set to stand trial over a number of allegations that he inflicted actual bodily harm on a woman as well engaged in controlling and coercive behaviour.

Alen Rifat, aged 26, of Brockles Mead, Harlow was charged with the following.

Between 01/09/2018 and 30/09/2018 at Harlow, assaulted a woman, thereby occasioning her, actual bodily harm.

On 18/09/2019 at Harlow assaulted a woman by beating her.

On 17/10/2019 at Harlow assaulted a woman by beating her.

Between 01/04/2016 and 26/10/2019 at Harlow repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, namely you have been abusive, called a woman names, stopped her seeing friends, used a location app on her phone, telling her when to wear makeup, demanding she cook and clean and assaulted her on three occasions, towards a woman, to whom, at the time of the behaviour, you were personally connected in that you are partners, that behaviour having a serious effect on her and you knew or ought to have known that the behaviour would have a serious effect on her

Rifat has leaded guilty to the first three charges and not guilty to the fourth charge.

He has been remanded in custody until 26/11/2019 at 10:00 in courtroom 03 Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

A HARLOW teenager has pleaded guilty to a number of sexual assaults on a ten-year-old child.

The sixteen-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made the plea at Chelmsford magistrates court.

The charges refer to a number of assaults between April 2014 and February 2018.

He has pleaded guilty to six and not guilty to three.

He has been remanded on unconditional bail until December 13th.