ESSEX Police and Harlow Council say they are still working with travellers who have unlawfully encamped on grass near Second Avenue in Harlow.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called around 6.45pm, yesterday evening, Sunday 13 September, with reports of an unauthorised traveller encampment on Second Avenue.

Officers from our Rural Engagement and Community Policing teams, attended and carried out a site assessment working alongside the district’s Community Safety Team.

We continued to monitor the site and working with the landowner, Harlow Council, we served a notice under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, today, Monday 14 September.

“This directs the travellers to leave the land.

Harlow Community Policing Team Inspector, Tony Walker said: “We know that, on occasion, unauthorised encampments can cause disruption to the local community.

“Police can only use Section 61 powers if it is lawful, necessary and proportionate in the individual circumstances.

“The act of trespass is a civil matter and we worked with the landowner, Harlow Council, to try and resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

“Unauthorised encampments are subject to regular site assessments and where criminal offences are committed and allegations of antisocial behaviour are made, we will make every effort to hold those responsible to account for their actions.”

A Harlow Council spokesperson said: “Today we have been working closely with Essex Police and this afternoon the police issued a section 61 notice on the encampment on the helipad on Second Avenue.

A few caravans remain in the town on land at Second Avenue and Third Avenue and following assessments carried out this afternoon we have given them until tomorrow morning to vacant the land.

“Working closely with the Police, our community safety officers will visit these encampments again in the morning. An update will be issued tomorrow”.

A HEARTBROKEN family have offered a reward for information in relation to the fatal shooting of a beloved pet cat.

Churchfield resident Gemma Whitehouse said: “My poor baby Chewit was shot on Sunday night, before 9.00pm, in Churchfield, Harlow.

He managed to drag himself home but had huge injuries including a punctured lung. We had to watch him struggle to breath whilst we stopped the bleeding and he died on the way to the vets.

Results from the Radiograph came back today and he suffered from a collapsed lung with a large pellet wedged deep in his little body.

“This has been reported to the police and we have hired a private investigator but I want to reach out to the local people of Churchfield, most of whom have got cats, to find this evil, vile human being!

“If you heard anything that evening, know anyone who has an air gun or know of any body making threats please do let me know.

“A reward will be offered for information leading to finding the killer”.

Contact newsdesk@yourharlow.com

A MAN WAS arrested after a rooftop incident in The Stow.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

YH understands that a male had made off from the police after allegedly failing to stop and driving dangerously.

The male was pursued to The Stow where he was located to the rooftops above the shopping precinct.

The male was convinced to come down after a period of negotiation.

He was duly arrested in relation to the events on Monday and a number of other offences.

THE results of a national operation that targets fraudsters who scam elderly people into handing over thousands of pounds has shown they are the third best in the country.

The City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) confirmed Operation Radium, which was launched in January this year, had resulted in 100 courier fraud arrests.

They have arrested 10 of those individuals with Kent Police arresting 16 and West Mercia arresting 12.

They work collaboratively with Kent Police through the Serious Crime Directorate, meaning together we have helped deal with 26 suspects.

They work closely with border forces and the NFIB to help identity offenders and victims from across the region.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, who heads our Serious Economic Crime Unit, said: “Courier fraud is callous crime with suspects targeting elderly and vulnerable people to steal their hard-earnt money and on occasions, their life savings.

“We’ve been proactive in quickly identifying suspects, who tend to travel into Essex from London or neighbouring counties, before arresting them and seizing their equipment.

“Since Operation Radium was launched, 26 people have been questioned by detectives from Kent and Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate. That’s over one quarter of the 100 arrested in the country.

“While we continue to work with our partners to identity fraudsters, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. We’ve been pushing the ‘take five’ message and we’d like you to take a few moments ahead of reacting to their demands before calling us.

“I want to also reassure you that we’re working closely with banks to help identify victims of crime who are looking to withdraw their cash. The Banking Protocol was launched four years ago and we’ve had some fantastic responses with criminals being detained while the crime is being committed.”

Courier fraud is where criminals call someone, pretending to be a police officer or bank official.

They warn the victim that there are corrupt bank staff at the branch they use, who are intent on stealing their money, and ask them for their help. Typically, the caller then tells the victim to withdraw a sum of money and a courier is sent to their home address to collect it.

Commander Clinton Blackburn, National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime at NFIB, said: “Courier fraud is a grossly under-reported crime, usually due to victims being embarrassed and ashamed they have become a victim.

“Courier fraudsters are nearly always part of broader criminal gangs: they are persuasive and can be aggressive. This can be particularly intimidating when they turn up on a victim’s doorstep. That’s why we have continued to focus on tackling this contemptible crime.

“Together with colleagues in other forces, including Essex Police, we’re sending a loud, clear message from policing to courier fraudsters – your criminal activity won’t be tolerated.”

Please remember the following:

Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier.

Hang up if you get a call like this;

If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank;

Your debit or credit card is yours: don’t let a stranger take it from you. You should only ever have to hand it over at your bank. If it’s cancelled, you should destroy it yourself;

Someone claiming to be from your bank or local police force calls you to tell you about fraudulent activity but is asking you for personal information or even your PIN to verify who you are;

They’re offering to call you back so you can be sure they’re genuine, but when you try to return the call there’s no dial tone;

They say they’re trying to offer you peace of mind by having somebody pick up the card for you, to save you the trouble of having to go to your bank or local police station.

If you have been a victim to this despicable crime, please report to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or by reporting online by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

You can also contact Essex Police on 101 or you can report information online by visiting www.essex.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ESSEX Police is appealing for witnesses after a man was left with head injuries following a large fight in Harlow.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of a man found injured in Post Office Road, Harlow at around 4.45pm on 15 September.

It is believed the man had been assaulted following a fight.

He was taken to hospital for treatment on head injuries.

“If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting incident 830 of 15 September or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”.

A WOMAN was arrested at the scene of an unlawful traveller encampment on Monday.

The location of the camp was off Second Avenue (opposite Harlow Leisurezone).

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “A 40-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer was given an adult caution.

“A second woman was also voluntarily interviewed”.

ESSEX Police were called to a fight at a pub in Harlow.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called at around 1.55am today, Thursday 17 September, about people fighting at Small Copper Pub, in Churchfield, Harlow.

“We attended and the group had dispersed with no reported offences or injuries.

“We continued to monitor the situation and enquiries are ongoing.

Comments

Resident

This report seems a bit strange. There were about 4 or 5 police cars at the Small Copper at 11:45pm last night together with at least 50 people milling around the pub with no signs of social distancing let alone the rule of 6. Why was the pub still apparently open and why did it seem to take so long to dispel the crowd. There was still a big crowd and a din going on way after midnight.
Why are the police only reporting a fight that happened much later???

Simon Dharmastan

Police attended a wedding that they told me had got out of hand before midnight. I stopped and spoke to a policeman leaving the scene at that time after I had heard the noise from the crowd of people outside the pub. 

The police failed to uphold the rule of 6 in any way (supposedly due to the large number of people in attendance). This must be the guideline now set by Harlow police. Anarchy !

Steve

Business launch for 18 year entrepreneur. You mean 18th birthday party.

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BY PCSO Bradley Hall

AS a reminder, since Monday 14th September 2020 in England, you must not hold social gatherings with more than six people. The “rule of 6” applies in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub.

Let’s keep Essex great, prosperous and safe by adhering to the new rules and following what the government have issued. Thank you to all of you for all you have done and continue to do to keep Essex and Harlow safe.

#ProtectingandservingHarlow

Over the past month we have continued tackle crime throughout Harlow and in the Town Centre. 

In August officers have seized thousands of pounds’ worth of equipment from an unlicensed music event which was due to take place in #Harlow.  Chief Inspector Lewis Basford said of the seizure: “I want anyone who is planning to go to one of these events to think again. 

“It’s early in the evening and we’ve already successfully shut down one event, seized the equipment, and will be looking to identify the organiser and take them to court. “Our specially-trained public order officers will be working tirelessly to shut down any similar events in the county. Not only do these large-scale events carry the risk of spreading COVID-19, but we know that they’re often frequented by people who look to cause trouble for the sake of it, which will ruin the good time of anyone there. “My final message is to the organisers: we will seize the equipment – I don’t care if you’ve hired it from someone or if it’s yours, we will break up your event, and we can now fine you up to £10,000. Ask yourself, is it worth the risk?”

Also, a man has been charged for the murder of 38-year old Philip Burr that happened in October 2019. Philip died after he was struck by a car on Potter Street at around Midnight on Friday 18^th October. A male, 25-years old, has been charged with the murder and has been remanded in custody. He is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday 28^th October 2020.

A 49-year old female has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit murder, and a 40-year old man from the town who was arrested on suspicion of murder, both have been released on bail until Friday 18^th September. 

Officers will keep up the high visibility patrol in these areas as well as their general patrolling of Harlow. If you have any ASB problems within your area please report this via essex.police.uk, call 101 or if it’s an Emergency dial 999. 

Crime Prevention:

Recently there has been several Catalytic converter thefts taking place within areas of Harlow.

The precious metal in catalytic converters has led to an increase in their theft. To keep yours safe, ask your car dealer if they can give you any advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of. 

We are working to identify those responsible, you can help us by following this advice to protect your vehicle.
► If you can, park your vehicle in a locked garage when it is unattended.
► If it’s not possible to garage your vehicle, park it in a busy,
► well-lit area as close to your property as possible.
► Consider installing a Thatcham approved alarm to your
► vehicle. Ones that activate if your vehicle is lifted or tilted are particularly effective.
► Use a catalytic converter protection device or marking system.

Catalytic converters control and convert exhaust emissions from your vehicle into less toxic substances. If yours is stolen, you will know because your vehicle’s engine will sound different.

If you have any information about this type of crime you can report anonymously via crime stoppers, contact police through 101 or make us aware via e-mail HarlowCPT@essex.police.uk

Op Sceptre Week 14^th – 20^th Sept 2020:

Operation Sceptre is Essex Police’s targeted crackdown on knife crime. It’s part of our day to day work to identify and deal with anyone intent on committing crime in Essex.

We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle serious violence, particularly knife crime, and are working hard with other organisations to keep people safe and address the complex issues behind why some people carry weapons or become involved in violent behaviour.

Since June 2019 Essex Police has carried out More than 225 separate policing operations have been carried out under Operation Sceptre, which includes work to gather information and evidence to take action against offenders, and we have made more than 800 arrests.

We also work closely with partners, including councils, businesses such as clubs and bars, and the British Transport Police to help keep people safe.

We are working every day to ensure our communities are safe and are taking a robust action against those involved in the sale of illegal drugs.

Harlow police officers will be conducting a week of action under op sceptre and will be targeting weapons, violent offenders, joint partnership patrols around Harlow to name a few. Keep an eye on our social media sites for regular updates on how the officers are doing.

POLICE are investigating after a car smashed into a parked vehicle and landed on its roof in the early hours of Sunday morning.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called at around 12.45am about a collision in Tumbler Road, Harlow, yesterday Sunday 20 September.

We received calls that a car ended up on its roof and was in collision with a parked vehicle.

There were no reported injuries and we are trying to locate the driver, who left the scene.

“Enquiries are ongoing”.

A MAN has pleaded guilty to sending a malicious communication to a Harlow taxi company.

Joe Lay, aged 45 , of Edens Mount, Sawbridgeworth pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.

On 11/02/2020 at Sawbridgewoth in the county of Hertfordshire sent to ABC Cabs an electronic communication, namely two telephone calls which was,
in whole or part, of an indecent or grossly offensive nature 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.

Contrary to section 1(1)(b) and (4) of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

Lay was due to be sentenced on Monday September 21st.

He was released on unconditional bail.

TWO people arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a baby in Harlow have been released on bail for a second time.

Essex Police has confirmed that they have been re-bailed until November 16th.

Essex Police are investigating the circumstances behind the death of a baby boy. 

Essex Police were called to an address in Joyners Field, Harlow, shortly before 10am on 19 August, with reports a baby had been taken ill.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead.

A post mortem examination has been carried out, however further tests will be needed to help establish the cause of death.

The baby’s death is being treated as suspicious and enquiries remain ongoing.

A 34-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were arrested on Thursday 27 August, on suspicion of murder. 

A HARLOW man has been convicted of drink driving for the second time in a year.

Gregory Stanley, aged 50, of Tunnmeade, Harlow pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.

On 16/12/2019 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely BMW on a road, namely Maddox Road, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your blood, namely 183 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, exceeded the prescribed limit.

Stanley was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 20 month(s).

Stanley was made subject to a community order made. Carry out unpaid work for 104 hours within the next twelve months.

He was also fined a total of £195.00

The court also revealed that this was Stanley’s second drink-driving offence in a year.

He was convicted of the following in February 2020.

On 17/02/2020 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely a BMW on a road, namely Long Ley, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 111 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.

A HARLOW man has been charged with a public order offence.

Seref Aygunoglu, aged 56, of Mill Hatch, Cornish Cafe, Edinburgh Way has been charged with the following.

On 16/01/2020 at Harlow used towards another, threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence would be used against him by any person, or to provoke the immediate use of unlawful violence by him whereby that person was likely to believe that such violence would be used, or it was likely that such violence would be provoked.

The case has been adjourned until October 19th at Chelmsford magistrates court.

A SEVENTH person has been arrested in connection to the death of 39-year-old Philip Burr in Harlow, last October. 

Philip died after he was struck by a car on Potter Street at around midnight on Friday 18 October.

A 41-year-old man from Harlow was arrested on Tuesday 22 September on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. 

A 49-year-old woman from Harlow, arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit murder, and a 40-year-old man from the town who was arrested on suspicion of murder have both been released on bail until Wednesday 25 November. 

A 38-year-old man from Harlow, arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday 27 August, has also been bailed until Wednesday 25 November. 

A 36 year-old man and a 34-year-old man, both from Harlow, remain under investigation. 

Mark Brinkley, 25, of Elizabeth Way, Harlow, has been charged with murder. 

He is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday 28 October and has been remanded in custody. 

A HARLOW man has been fined for possession of pepper spray.

Mert Menekse, aged 26, of Felmongers, pleaded guilty to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.

On 22/11/2019 at Epping, without the authority of the Secretary of State, had in your possession a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of a noxious liquid, namely pepper spray

Contrary to section 5(1)(b) of and Schedule 6 to the Firearms Act 1968.

He was fined a total of £607.00

1

A HARLOW man has been charged in relation to charging £9,000 for gardening work that was not carried out.

Alf Mitchell aged 35, of Gibb Croft, Fern Hill Lane, Harlow has been charged with the following.

Between 09/04/2019 and 20/04/2020 at Harlow in the county of Essex committed fraud in that you dishonestly made a false representation, namely taking money up front for gardening work which you have not carried out, intending to make a gain, namely money totalling £9,900.00, for yourself Contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.

The case has been adjourned to November 2nd, at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

A HARLOW man has pleaded guilty whilst driving under the influence of drugs.

Josh Nicholls, aged 27, of Arkwrights pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.

On 30/12/2019 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely BMW 1 series, on a road, namely Potter Street, when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Cocaine, in your blood, namely 181 micrograms per litre of blood, exceeded the specified limit.

On 30/12/2019 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely a BMW, on a road, namely Potter Street, when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannibinol, in your blood, namely 4.2 micrograms per litre of blood exceeded the specified limit.

Nicholls was banned from driving for a year and fined £426.00

A TEENAGER was taken to hospital with stab wounds after being attacked on a field in Harlow.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We received reports at around 1.20am today, Wednesday 23 September, about an assault on a field off Second Avenue, Harlow.

We received reports that three people approached the 17-year-old victim and assaulted him.

The victim was punched to the face and we understand one of the suspects was possibly armed with a knife.

They then fled the scene with his bag. The victim was taken to hospital with cuts to his back.

“The suspects are all males and are described as being aged in their teens. We are treating this as a targeted attack”.

Anyone with information is asked to call Harlow CID on 101 quoting incident 47 of 23/09 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 080 555 111.

THERE is less than a week to go for those who live, work and travel in Essex to have their say on the future of roads policing.

People who have concerns about speeding or are worried about road safety in their area, can make their views known by taking part in this short online survey. www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/apccsaferoads

The Government is currently reviewing roads policing and what the future of traffic law enforcement may look like. As part of this review, the

Department for Transport is running a Call for Evidence in Roads Policing which seeks to identify what makes a difference and how the capability and capacity of enforcement services can be enhanced.

To support the review, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Road Safety Portfolio is running a national public survey designed to understand public perception of road safety and roads policing enforcement.

The poll seeks to understand local communities’ perception for road law enforcement, risks to safety and fixed penalty notices.

The results will help inform Police and Crime Commissioners and feed into the submission to the Department for Transport’s Call for Evidence which is looking at how enforcement can be enhanced. Additionally, responses collected in participating force areas will be shared with the relevant PCC after the survey has closed.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Improving safety on our roads are priorities in both our Police and Crime Plan and Fire and Rescue Plan with our objective being to reduce harm on the roads and promote safer driving.

“More people in Essex die on our roads than in any other kind of accident or crime. That’s why it is so important that we contribute to this review.

Many residents and local councillors contact me with concerns about road safety, it’s a topic that comes up regularly at our public forums, so I know it is important to many people. 

“The survey only takes a few moments of your time but could make such a difference in the future.”

People have until Wednesday, 30th September at 5pm to complete the survey. 

A HARLOW man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman.

Benjamin Hills, aged 37, of Potter Street, Harlow pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.

On 21/07/2020 at Harlow assaulted a woman by beating her
Contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

Hills also pleaded guilty to breaching a bail condition.

On 07/09/2020 at Harlow having been arrested by a constable for breaking a bail condition, namely not to enter The Downs, Harlow for any reason, being a person released on 26/08/2020 by the custody officer at Harlow Police Station being under a duty to surrender into the custody of a court.

Hills was fined £200 and made subject to a community order where he must undertake 80 hours of unpaid work over the next twelve months.