POLICE are continuing to investigate the circumstances of a collision in which a male cyclist sadly died.
Officers were called to reports of a collision between a Vauxhall Zafira and a cyclist on the A414 in North Weald at the junction with Vicarage Lane at around 5.20am on Thursday 8 October.
Paramedics, the air ambulance and officers attended but sadly the cyclist, a 33-year-old man from Takeley, died at the scene.
The road was closed for a significant time while officers carried out an examination of the scene.
The driver of the car was taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.
Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision and would like to hear from the drivers of two vehicles who were seen to travel through the scene of the crash immediately afterwards. Both vehicles were travelling in the direction of Harlow
Anyone with information about the collision or the driver of either vehicle who passed through the scene is asked to contact officers at Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101.
SEVEN people have been charged and will appear in court today to face drug-related offences following a series of raids across Essex, Hertfordshire, London and Suffolk.
A total of 19 people were arrested on Thursday 8 October in dawn raids including addresses in Harlow.
Today, Saturday 10 October, the following people appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court:
Christopher Golding, 38 of Hart Road, Harlow, was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug;
Stuart Thurgood, 38 of Morley Grove, Harlow was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug;
David Wilkinson, 36, of Primrose Hill, Haverhill, Suffolk was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug;
Lee Wilkinson, 38, of Parsonage, Leys, Harlow was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug;
Robert Aldred, 29, of Pittmans Field, Harlow was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug;
Lee Collett, 37 of Perry Spring, Harlow was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug and;
Agirdas Gustaits, 30, of Meadow Court, Harlow, was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug.
All seven were remanded in custody ahead of their appearance today and the remaining 12 people have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
POLICE Officers investigating a series of vehicle break-ins across the town in recent weeks have arrested an 18-year-old man from east London on suspicion of theft from vehicles, interfering with a motor vehicle and possession of a Class B drug.The male has now been charged with seven different offences and is awaiting to attend court.
A selection of belongings thought to have been stolen from cars across Harlow have been recovered by officers.
We are now hoping to reunite the belongings with their owners and would ask anyone who has been a victim of a vehicle break-in in Harlow in recent weeks to get in touch.
Anyone who has also had their vehicle broken into and has not reported it to police is also being asked to do so.If your vehicle has been broken into you can call us on 101 or report it online via our website www.esssex.police.uk.
If you believe we may have your belongings contact 101 and ask for the Harlow Local Policing Team.
A MAN has pleaded guilty to trespassing at Harlow Town railway station.
Wayne Chappell, aged 41, of Longbanks, Harlow has pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.
On August 11th, 12th, 13th and 20th at Harlow trespassed upon lands of a railway company, namely Greater Anglia, in dangerous proximity to railway lines or other works at Harlow Town Train Station.
A HARLOW man has been charged with a number of offences including sexual assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
Mark Sheppard, aged 59, of Netteswell Orchard, Harlow was charged with the following.
On August 19th, 2020 in Harlow intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that she was consenting
On 01/05/2019 and 08/10/2020 at Harlow persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another.
On 02/09/2020 at Harlow had with you, without good reason or lawful authority, in a public place Netteswell Orchard an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely a kitchen knife.
Sheppard has been given conditional bail until November 25th.
A WOMAN has been charged with impersonating a police officer.
Amber Kay, aged 30, of The Four Tubs, Bushey, Hertfordshire has been charged with the following.
On 13/02/2020 at Harlow , acting together with Daryl Burrell, with intent to deceive, impersonated a special constable or a member of a police force Contrary to Section 90(1) of the Police Act 1996.
The case has been adjourned until December 7th, 2020 at Chelmsford magistrates court
THIS week, Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, is championing a campaign to raise awareness of hate crime in all its forms.
The Commissioner is working with Victim Support, the Essex Restorative and Mediation Service, Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and other partners across the county to focus on issues surrounding hate crime as part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2020.
Roger Hirst said: “Any crime committed against someone because of their race, religion, race, religion, sex, parental or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability is totally repugnant and wholly unacceptable in modern society. I encourage all victims of such crimes to report the incident and seek any help they need from one of the various organisations who are able to assist.”
The Essex Restorative and Mediation Service, part of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Office, is using this week to highlight how the restorative justice process can be used in hate crime incidents.
Service manager Nikki Essex said: “Restorative justice is a process used alongside the criminal justice system, giving victims the chance to have a voice about how a crime has impacted them. It also gives them the opportunity to ask questions and have a real say. For offenders, it allows them to understand the consequences of their actions and make meaningful amends.
“It has the potential to break down barriers between victims of hate crime and perpetrators and could benefit both sides. It empowers them to have their say, express the impact and educate the offender. Research with more than 3000 victims of hate crime show that, when given a choice between restorative justice with the offender or the offender serving a longer prison sentence, 60 per cent of victims would rather restorative justice.”
As part of a collaboration between Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the joint education team, teach hate crime awareness in schools. These packages are now available online and can be accessed here: https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/Home_Fire_Safety/Education_Hub/
Roger added: “Only by working together can we #StopTheHate. Protecting vulnerable people is a key priority for me in my Police and Crime Plan and Fire and Rescue Plan for the county. We must stand together to stamp out hate crime in all its forms and ensure victims feel fully supported.”
The PFCC supports various organisations across Essex that help victims of Hate Crime and work to prevent it. We have developed the Essex Hate Crime Prevention Strategy in conjunction with Victim Support and the Safer Essex Partnership and commission an Essex Hate Crime Coordinator to assist with delivering the strategy’s aims and monitoring its success.
The PFCC Community Safety Development Fund also finances the 24-hour Stop Hate helpline service in Essex.
For more information go to www.victimsupport.org.uk or search Hate Crime at www.essex.police.uk
A MAN has been charged in connection with an incident where someone was stabbed in Harlow earlier in the year.
An 18 year-old man was found injured outside Paddas Newsagents in Eastgate at around 5.10pm on Sunday 3 May having been assaulted in Post Office Walk.
Three teenagers were arrested and one of them – 18 year-old Aaron Millest, of Rivermill, Harlow – has now been charged with GBH with intent and possession of a Class B drug.
He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 3 February 2021.
The other two teenagers have been told they face no further action.
ESSEX Police would like to talk to them about reports of a theft from Asda in The Water Gardens, Harlow on Wednesday 23 September.
They received reports that around 2.30pm, a number of beauty items worth a three figures sum were taken. A man and woman were reported to have made off without paying for them.
The man has been described as aged between 55-60 years old, of a stocky build. He was wearing a blue face mask, a stripy blue and grey polo shirt, black trousers and had a grey bag.
The woman was around 50 years old, with dark hair pulled back and was wearing a white face mask, a black cardigan with a white t-shirt underneath, stripy trousers, black boots and was carrying a cream and black bag.
If you have any information, please call Harlow Local Policing Team on 101 quoting crime reference 42/155023/20 or you can report it online at www.essex.police.uk
ESSEX Police are now in a position to release the name of a woman who died following a collision on the M11 last month.
Eni-itan Bajomo was the passenger in a black Audi TT which was in collision with the central reservation on the southbound carriageway near junction seven for Harlow at around 10.50pm on Saturday 26 September.
The car was then in collision with two other vehicles.
Thirty year-old Eni-itan, from Barking, was taken to hospital but, sadly, died from her injuries.
Officers are looking to trace any vehicles which were in the vicinity of the Audi at the time of the collision as well as any other vehicles which were in the area of junction seven.
If you saw anything, have any dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting incident 1337 of 26 September or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Statement from Essex Police and Crime Commissioner
Roger Hirst
“LIKE you, I’m a resident of Essex and I am concerned about the level of Coronavirus cases in our county. We must act now to save lives and save jobs.
I fully support Essex’s request to the Secretary of State to be placed under a high level of restrictions and have been part of the process that led to making that decision. Infection rates are rising exponentially across the county. A month ago there were no COVID-19 cases in our hospitals. In the last three weeks there have been 13 deaths.
This move is about keeping people safe, our friends and our family, our community. We know that if we don’t act more people will die and we will face a much tougher challenge in a few weeks’ time, with the strong possibility of having to face a longer, more severe lockdown.
We have all made sacrifices to keep our communities safe, to follow the guidance and keep this terrible virus at bay. For that small minority who blatantly disregarding social distancing it is right that they receive a fine. I welcome the government’s decision to increase these fixed penalties to a maximum of £6,400 for individuals and £10,000 for businesses.
Across Essex over the last week we have seen the police taking a strong approach to these breaches and it is important for all of us to understand that when the rules are broken by a small minority, they will face consequences.
We are now all asked not to meet with anybody outside our household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether in our homes or in a public place; and not to meet in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or other space.
We can still go to work, go to school, visit places of worship and exercise outside.
We need to turn the tide now to save lives and save jobs. We can do it together, but it takes all of us.
Please keep safe and remember don’t be a link in the chain of transmission in this virus, wash your hands, wear a face covering, keep a safe distance. Don’t meet indoors. Let’s Stay Safe Essex. Thank you.”
DRIVERS face a total ban on touching their mobile phones at the wheel.
Under existing law they can be prosecuted only if they use hand-held devices to call or text reports the Daily Mail.
But from early next year this will extend to touching phones for any reason – such as to take pictures, browse the internet or scroll through a music playlist.
Motorists will still be able to use their devices as a satnav, but only if hands-free.
Mobile payments at drive-through restaurants will also be allowed. Hands-free video calls and streaming videos are already banned.
Offenders will be hit with six points and a £200 fine.
‘The closing of this loophole is very welcome and reflects the multitude of ways drivers can use hand-held phones,’ said Nicholas Lyes of the RAC.
‘Use of hand-held mobile phones at the wheel continues to represent a very real road safety risk, so it’s clear more needs to be done to make this as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.
‘It’s important that alongside this change to the law, the Government looks seriously at other options that can help enforce the law, which should include new camera technology that can detect different types of hand-held mobile phone use at the wheel.’
To better enforce the law, Highways England has been trialling the use of high- definition cameras that can take pictures of motorists through their windscreens.
Fitted to overhead gantries at secret locations, they use algorithms and artificial intelligence to determine whether the pictures show drivers are using their phones.
If the trials are a success, images could be sent to police to issue notice of prosecution letters.
Highways England has also been using high-seated HGV cabs driven by police to help catch 250 offenders a month.
Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: ‘Using a mobile phone while driving is incredibly dangerous and being distracted at the wheel can change lives forever. Police will take robust action against those using a hand-held mobile phone illegally and proposals to make the law clearer are welcome.’
A spokesman for Highways England said: ‘We are exploring how technology could be used to detect when drivers are not giving the road their full attention, such as using a mobile phone. Although our roads are amongst the safest in the world, our ambition is that there should be no deaths on our roads.’
A PUB in Harlow has had its licence suspended following concerns about its links to alleged drug activity.
The White Horse in Old Road was one of 18 addresses in Harlow that were raided on Thursday 8 October.
The operation resulted in 19 arrests. Seven people have so far been charged with drugs-related offences.
Essex Police’s licensing team applied to Harlow Council for a summary review of the pub’s premises licence, which was considered by the council’s licensing sub-committee on Tuesday 13 October.
Members suspended The White Horse’s licence with immediate effect until a full review hearing takes place.
They also determined that the designated premises supervisor be removed from the premises with immediate effect.
The licence will remain suspended until a full hearing takes place, which is due to be held before 9 November.
Members will then decide if the licence will be permanently revoked and whether a suspension needs to remain in place until any appeal against their decision is made.
Essex Police licensing officer Ronan McManus said: “The police investigation demonstrates a link between the pub and potential criminal activity and for these reasons, working with our partners, we took immediate action to call for a review of its licence to sell alcohol.”
Councillor Shannon Jezzard, chair of Harlow Council’s licensing committee, said: “Following last week’s events the police made an application to us on Monday afternoon for a summary review of the pub’s licence.
“Due to the seriousness of the investigation, a licensing sub-committee had to meet within 48 hours to consider whether any immediate steps were required.
“The sub-committee, chaired by Councillor Nick Churchill, agreed to take immediate steps to remove the designated premises supervisor and suspend the premises licence with a full hearing to be held within 28 days.”
PEOPLE in England who have been told to self-isolate through NHS Test and Trace could have their details shared with the police on a “case-by-case basis” reports the BBC.
Forces will have access to information telling them if an individual has been told to self-isolate, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
But the British Medical Association said it was worried police involvement might put people off being tested.
In England there is a legal requirement to isolate after a positive test.
Just under 11% of people traced as a close contact of someone with coronavirus said they self-isolated for 14 days, according to a government-commissioned study.
Reasons given for breaking self-isolation included believing there was no point isolating from strangers if you cannot properly distance from those in your household; not developing symptoms; or visiting shops or a pharmacy.
The DHSC updated its guidance about how testing data will be handled on Friday. A memorandum of understanding was issued between the DHSC and National Police Chiefs’ Council to allow forces to access information that tells them if a “specific individual” has been told to self-isolate, as first reported by the Health Service Journal. Those who fail to do so face fines starting at £1,000, which can increase to £10,000 for serial offenders or serious breaches. A DHSC spokesman said it was a legal requirement for people who had tested positive and their close contacts to self-isolate when formally notified to do so. “The memorandum of understanding ensures that information is shared with appropriate safeguards and in accordance with the law. No testing or health data is shared in this process,” he said. A spokesman for the British Medical Association, which represents doctors in the UK, said the test-and-trace system needed “the full confidence of the public” to be effective. He said: “We are already concerned that some people are deterred from being tested because they are anxious about loss of income should they need to self-isolate – and we are worried should police involvement add to this. “Therefore, the government’s emphasis should be on providing support to people – financial and otherwise – if they need to self-isolate, so that no-one is deterred from coming forward for a test.”
A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson said forces would continue to encourage “voluntary compliance” but would enforce regulations and issue fines where appropriate.
“Officers will engage with individuals to establish their circumstances, using their discretion wherever it is reasonable to do so,” they said.
OFFICERS from Harlow Police have been out patrolling in different areas of the community doing checks on different shops and areas to make sure we are all following the new government rules around face masks and rule of 6. We will be continuing these patrols as well as our day to day business in Harlow.
We know this will be tough for some people and we appreciate the sacrifices everyone’s been making to help keep us all safe.
Our approach has been, and will continue to be, engaging with the public, explaining the regulations, and encouraging people to do the right thing.
Where it is absolutely necessary, reasoned conversations have failed, and it’s right to do so, we will issue people with fines.
The compassion, resilience, and determination from the community to keep each other safe has been outstanding and is important to getting us through these unprecedented times.
Over the past month we have continued to tackle crime throughout Harlow and in the Town Centre.
Officers from our Local Policing Team have been investigating a series of thefts from motor vehicles which have been happening within Harlow over the past few weeks. After completing some enquiries and speaking to victims, they were able to identify 2 suspects for the offences.
Both suspects who are male, one from East London and the other male from Harlow were arrested and interviewed for the offences. The male from East London was charged with 2 TFMV, 4 vehicle interference and possession cannabis to which he is now awaiting to attend court. The male from Harlow was charged with 2 TFMV, 4 vehicle interference and possession of a bladed article. The male was remanded into custody for court the following morning and there he was further remanded to attend court on 11th November 2020.
On 13th October 2020 officers from the Community Policing Team (CPT) executed a warrant within the Harlow Common area. This was following reports and concerns from residents of a brothel being run from the area. The warrant was successful and 1 person was arrested and a another person engaged with our modern slavery team and will be working with victim care.
A number of warrants took place within Harlow, Nineteen people have been arrested and an estimate £100,000 seized during an operation targeting a network suspected of supplying cocaine to county lines drugs gangs in west #Essex, #Hertfordshire, #London, and #Suffolk. Weapons, cash and drugs were seized during dawn raids at 17 addresses in #Harlow and one in Suffolk this morning, Thursday 8 October. Today’s arrests are the culmination of a revised way of working for our proactive teams, targeting the leaders of such criminal networks. We continue to target the gangs and dealers who sell drugs on the streets. But we are also targeting the criminals who supply those groups.
Now that the nights are starting to draw in and its becoming darker earlier, Houses are more likely to be targeted and burgled. They will see that houses/properties are in darkness and see this as an opportunity to try and break into your house, before you return home from work.
There are things that you can do/use around your house to secure, protect and prevent your property being broken into. One of the things you can do is using timers on lights. This will give the perception of someone being in your house before you are getting home from work.
Become a creature of habit
Try to get into the habit of following your own course of action when you lock up your home. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything. Here’s what we recommend you do before you go out:
· close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes
· double-lock any door
· make sure that any valuables are out of sight
· keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening
· never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways
· in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on
· if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night
· set your burglar alarm
· make sure the side gate is locked
· lock your shed or garage
· lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor
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
A WOMAN has pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in a case that involved ‘’sophistication and planning’’ against two separate councils.
In September 2018 Charlotte Gunn of Croyland Road, Enfield made an application to Broxbourne Council for financial assistance for a rental deposit through the Simple Lets scheme. The Council made a loan payment to a landlord enabling Gunn to move out of temporary housing accommodation and into a privately rented home.
Suspicions were raised after the deposit had been paid and the matter was referred to the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) to conduct a fraud investigation.
SAFS found that Gunn had used a property advertised for rent locally and fabricated a landlord with false contact details in order to obtain the deposit (amounting to £1,600) which was paid into her own bank account. She then used the money to purchase a holiday, high street spending and withdrew a large amount in cash. The investigation also brought to light that Gunn had committed an almost identical fraud against Harlow Council.
On 2 March 2020 Ms Gunn plead guilty to two counts of Fraud by False Representation. On 30 September 2020 Ms Gunn was sentenced and ordered to pay a fine of £450 (£250 for the fraud committed against Broxbourne Borough Council and £200 for the fraud committed against Harlow Council), plus £500 in costs. She is also subject to a compensation order to fully repay Broxbourne and Harlow councils.
Broxbourne Councillor, Mike Iszatt, Chairman of the Audit and Standards Committee said: “Defrauding the Council is serious offence, a cost to the local tax payer, and it may prevent people in genuine need of support from accessing it.
“For this reason, we take fraud of any nature very seriously and will continue to work closely with partner organisations to investigate, identify and pursue perpetrators through the courts. The work conducted by the Shared Anti-Fraud Service has been outstanding, and thanks to their support processes have been tighten up to help prevent future fraud cases like this one.”
Members of the public with information about fraud against the Council, including housing, council tax or blue badge fraud can report it in confidence by visiting www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/reportfraud or by calling the Shared Anti-Fraud Service hotline on 0300 123 4033.
A DRIVER caught speeding at 141mph has been given a driving ban and ordered to pay £605.
Joshua Freedman, 30, was caught on camera driving the Mercedes at more than double the national speed limit on the M11 in Harlow on 16 April.
Freedman, of The Avenue, Dunmow, admitted speeding when he appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 15 October.
He was banned from driving for 56 days, fined £450 and ordered to pay £110 court costs and a £45 victim surcharge.
Adam Pipe, head of roads policing, said: “At the time of this offence, our roads were less busy as people were staying at home to help reduce the spread of coronavirus to help keep each other safe and protect the NHS.
“But speed limits exist for a reason – to keep people safe.
“Driving at 141mph is extremely reckless and endangers lives, no matter how quiet the M11 may or may not have been.
“This sentence shows just how serious the courts take these offences.
“It is just extremely fortunate that Freedman’s driving didn’t lead to himself or anyone else being hurt, or even killed.”
In 2019, 17 people died and 241 others were seriously injured on Essex’s roads in collisions where an inappropriate speed was involved.
In total there were 684 collisions involving an inappropriate speed where someone was injured – that’s almost a quarter of all recorded collisions.
CHIEF Constables commend police officers and staff for their bravery and tenacity and for their commitment to keeping the people of Essex safe.
Eight police officers and two members of police staff have been commended by Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington for their bravery, tenacity and commitment to protecting the people of Essex and keeping them safe, helping their colleagues and catching criminals.
Two officers have also been commended by the National Police Chiefs’ Council Cybercrime Lead Chief Constable Peter Goodman, for going above and beyond in the field of cybercrime investigations and training.
A commendation is one of the highest honours a Chief Constable can give.
Among those commended by Mr Harrington are PC David Moon and PC Richard Hamilton, from our Force Support Unit. They were called in to search the area following an armed robbery in Harlow in June 2019. They found the suspect nearby.
The man, who had a large knife tucked in his waistband, became violent when PC Moon tried to arrest him but PC Hamilton used his Taser to subdue him and prevent PC Moon from being seriously injured. The man was arrested without injury and charged with various offences. Both officers have been commended for their bravery, professionalism and tenacity.
