A WOMAN was arrested after an incident at the Small Copper pub in Harlow.
An Essex Police spokesperson said:
“We were called to reports of a man had been assaulted and damaged caused to a number of items inside the Small Copper pub in Churchfield Harlow at around 11.46am on Sunday 1 November.
A 25 year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and criminal damage.
ESSEX Police is appealing for information following a suspected arson in Hyde Mead, Nazeing.
This morning, Tuesday 3 November, police were called by the fire service at around 1.15am with reports that a blue Volvo had been set on fire.
Anyone with information or has CCTV of the area is asked to please call us on 101 quoting crime reference 51 of 3 November. Alternatively, you can make an online report at www.essex.police.uk.
Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously.
A HARLOW man has been made the subject of a community order after sexually assaulting a woman.
Raymond Brown, aged 68, of Fesants Croft, Harlow pleaded guilty to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.
On 06/02/2020 at 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.
Brown has to attend rehabilitation meetings for a maximum of fifteen days. He was also fined £269.00
A LORRY driver, who’s HGV hit a house causing significant damage, has been banned from driving for six months.
Navarain Singh was driving a Volvo HGV along Elizabeth Way, Harlow at around 3.20am on 17 December last year when it left the road hit a house in Canons Gate.
The wall the lorry hit was next to the where children inside the house were sleeping.
Singh, 40, of Mansion Drive, Tipton, West Midlands, was arrested at the scene.
Our investigations identified he had exceeded the strict maximum amount of hours lorry drivers are allowed to drive over a set period of time and had failed to correctly fill in the tachograph record sheet which is used to show how many hours a driver has driven.
He was charged and admitted one count of careless driving and 15 counts of failing to us a tachograph recording sheet.
At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 31 October he was give nine points on his licence.
He had already had three points so was banned for six months.
He was fined a total of £1,070, told to pay £100 costs and a £37 victim surcharge.
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “This collision could very easily have ended in tragedy – either to Navnarain Singh himself or someone inside the building he hit.
“There are strict regulations which set out how many hours lorry drivers can drive over a set period of time and it is clear from our investigation that Singh had completely ignored these in the fortnight before the collision.
“It’s so important these regulations are adhered to because they’re there to keep people safe.
“I hope this acts as a reminder to all drivers about the need to stick to the rules of the road.”
A GYM owner has been arrested on suspicion of breaching coronavirus legislation.
Officers were made aware of social media posts advertising The Ripped Gym in Wych Elm, Harlow, would be remaining open against the law.
They attended today, Thursday 5 November, to speak to the owner and customers and found the gym open.
Officers attempted to engage with the owner, but she refused to give them details in order for them to issue a fixed penalty notice.
She was arrested under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 and remains in custody for questioning.
Ten fixed penalty notice tickets were issued to people in the gym.
Harlow Council has issued a prohibition notice on the premises requiring the premises to close.
District commander Chief Inspector Natalia Ross said: “We will not tolerate those who commit clear and blatant breaches of the legislation that has been put in place to keep people safe.
“Many of our local businesses have made sacrifices to keep their customers safe and have been working really hard to adjust how they work and comply with current legislation.
“We’ve taken every opportunity to engage with residents and local businesses to explain the regulations and encourage people to do the right thing.
“Enforcement is always a last resort but sadly there are times where we have had to take robust action to keep people safe.
“I want to thank the vast majority of people who have been doing the right thing and following the regulations and guidance to keep themselves and others safe.
“By everyone working together, this will make a real difference to keeping the virus at bay, which as we know too well has had a devastating impact on so many people.”
Councillor Mark Ingall, leader of Harlow Council, said: “In recent days we have been made aware of Ripped Gym’s intention to still operate beyond the new national restrictions.
“Contact was made with the gym to make them aware of the government restrictions and what this would mean. We visited the gym this morning to ask them to close.
“We have taken what steps we can to help the business follow the legislation.
“However after this morning’s events we have had no choice but to issue a prohibition notice this afternoon.
“We would like to thank Essex Police for their support and work today and also praise the work of our teams.
“We have a responsibility for enforcing COVID-regulations on business premises.
“We simply can’t stand by and allow any business to operate when it cannot do so by law.
“It is especially not fair on the large majority of Harlow businesses which have been complying with the legislation throughout the pandemic to keep people safe.
“We know that these are once again extremely difficult times for those businesses who cannot operate during lockdown. We also know that this impacts on the customers of those businesses which are closed.
“These latest restrictions are about us all working together to keep people safe, and to save lives and protect the NHS. We will always work with our businesses to help them understand what they can and can’t do, enforcement action is only ever taken as a last resort and where it is necessary.”
We want people to continue to report covid-19 breaches, but please check before you report something, to be sure as you can be that you aren’t mis-reading a situation before contacting us.
You can make a report using the Digital 101 service on our website, where you can report online, or speak to one of our operators online live time, between 7am and 11pm. Visit https://www.essex.police.uk
A GYM owner has charged with failing to comply with coronavirus legislation.
Officers attended The Ripped Gym in Wych Elm, Harlow, yesterday, Thursday 5 November, and found the gym open.
After attempts to engage with the owner failed, she was arrested and subsequently charged with failing to comply with a direction to close premises under the Coronavirus Act 2020.
Michelle Meade, 45, of John Eliot Close, Waltham Abbey, is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court today, Friday 6 November.
A HARLOW man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman.
Barry Nicholson, aged 45, of Lower Meadow, Harlow pleaded guilty to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.
On 01/02/2020 at Harlow assaulted a woman by beating her.
On 01/02/2020 at Harlow without lawful excuse, destroyed mirror in bathroom and glass window in cabinet 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.
Nicholson was made subject to a community order and fined £225.00
A HARLOW man charged with dealing in cocaine has had his application for bail refused.
Christopher Golding, aged 38, of Hart Road, Harlow appeared on Monday afternoon , along with seven others, at Chelmsford magistrates court.
Golding was arrested during a series of nineteen dawn raids by Essex Police across Harlow on Thursday October 8th.
He was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug.
In front of Judge Seely, Golding’s barrister made a plea for bail stressing his links to the community, and his business demands.
They pledged that bail conditions such as electronic tagging and the use of just one mobile phone could be facilitated. He also highlighted that the police had Golding’s passport.
The court also heard that two financial pledges had been made.
Golding’s father in law’s brother, Philip Keen, had pledged a security of £100,000.
Mr Keen was asked to take the witness stand, and answer questions.
He was asked why he was putting the money forward.
He said: “Because I have known Christopher for a long time”.
Asked if this was a lot of money to him, he replied: “Well, I wouldn’t want to gamble with it.”
The court also heard that Frankie Campbell of Global Group of Companies Limited had pledged a surety of £250,000.
Golding’s mother worked for the company.
Judge Seely dismissed the application.
Golding was informed that his next court appearance would be January 18th for further case management.
It was anticipated that he would then get the opportunity to make a plea.
A trial date of October 18th, 2021 was also set.
The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
Six other men also appeared in court.
Stuart Thurgood, 38 of Morley Grove, Harlow
David Wilkinson, 36, of Primrose Hill, Haverhill, Suffolk
Lee Wilkinson, 38, of Parsonage, Leys, Harlow
Robert Aldred, 29, of Pittmans Field, Harlow
Lee Collett, 37 of Perry Spring, Harlow
Agirdas Gustaits, 30, of Meadow Court, Harlow.
They had all been charged with conspiring to supply a class A drug.
All were informed that they would continue to be remanded in custody and their next appearance would be January 18th, 2021 with view to a trial in October 2021.
ESSEX Police are investigating a burglary in which a cash machine was stolen from a Harlow shop.
They were called to the Co-Op in North Square shortly after 3.15am today, Tuesday 10 November.
North Square is in Newhall at the junction with London Road.
A black Range Rover had been used to reverse into the shop and three suspects were seen leaving in a dark Audi, which has since been located and had been reported stolen. The Range Rover was left at the scene.
Officers are carrying out a search for the suspects, who drove northbound on the M11 towards Cambridgeshire.
Enquiries remain ongoing and police would like to thank members of the public who have come forward so far.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 71 of today’s date.
DRIVERS caught doing “highly excessive” speeds while most people were staying home to save lives have been fined a total of more than £12,000, banned for a total of more than nine months, and given a total of 110 points.
Over the course of a number of hearings during October, 29 drivers all caught doing more than 20mph above the speed limit in April and May were brought before the court.
In total, £12,394 in fines were handed out, 289 days of disqualification (around nine and a half months), and 110 penalty points.
In September, 18 drivers received a total more than £11,000 in fines and 135 points in similar hearings.
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “All those who have been dealt with last month were found to be doing highly excessive speeds.
“These speeds are unacceptable at the best of times but at a time when most people were staying home to save the NHS this type of driving is particularly selfish.
“It is really fortunate that none of those who’ve been dealt with were in a collision because it could realistically ended with someone being seriously injured or even killed.
“My officers will continue to be out around the county to ensure you’re safe on our roads, tackling people speeding and drink or drug driving.”
Top speeds on national speed limit roads: 135mph on A130 at Benfleet on 25 April 134mph on M11 at Harlow on 19 April 122mph on M11 at Epping on 9 May 120mph on A130 at Howe Green on 1 May
Top speeds on other roads: 83mph on Dartford Crossing on 5 April 78mph on A127 at Basildon on 9 April 76mph on Dartford Crossing on 11 April 71mph on Queensway, Southend on 7 April
Examples of excuses given: Driver thought he was only travelling about 90mph Driver stated he needed the toilet Driver only a provisional licence holder
ESSEX Police is appealing for witness following a stabbing in the underpass on Third Avenue, Harlow on Saturday 7 November.
They were called at around 2.30pm after a teenage boy had been found with stab wounds and taken to hospital with serious injuries.
They are keen to speak to a group of four men seen in the area of Northbrooks shortly before and after the incident.
A 16-year old boy was arrested on Tuesday 10 November, on suspicion of GBH and two counts of robbery. He has been released on bail until Saturday 5 December.
If you have any information, please go to our website home page.
Between 7am-11pm you can provide information directly to one of our online operators by selecting the ‘Live Chat’ button at the bottom right of the page.
Alternatively, you can submit an online report here or call 101. Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously.
Please reference incident 639 of 7 November when providing any information to ensure it gets to the investigating officer as quickly as possible.
DETECTIVES investigating the death of a man in Harlow are appealing for information.
Police were called around 7.15am on Thursday 12 November, with concerns for the welfare of a man on Eastgate.
Officers went to check on the man, but sadly he had died.
His death is not being treated as suspicious, but is unexplained and detectives are appealing for information to help establish how he died.
If you were in the area of Eastgate the evening of Wednesday 11 November or during the early hours of Thursday 12 November and witnessed any unusual or suspicious activity, please get in contact.
If you have any information, please go to the police website home page.
Between 7am-11pm you can provide information directly to one of our online operators by selecting the ‘Live Chat’ button at the bottom right of the page.
This will ensure your report is dealt with as quickly as possible.
THE Labour Party is pleased to announce that Chris Vince will our candidate for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, in the election due to be held in May 2021.
Chris Vince lives in Harlow with his fiancée, where he is also a local councillor. He left his career as a Maths Teacher to become an Accommodation Project Worker working for a local charity helping homeless people.
Chris stood to be Essex PCC in 2016. In his spare time Chris supports a number of local voluntary groups including Action for Family Carers, Razed Roof and Changing Lives – which supports young people who are vulnerable to gang and knife crime.
Chris Vince said:
“I’m delighted to be Labour’s candidate in this election. I’m looking forward to getting out and about across Essex when we can do so safely, to show local people why I’m the best choice to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner.
“I have worked directly on local community safety priorities including reducing youth violence, safeguarding vulnerable people, and tackling domestic abuse.
“If I’m elected I will be relentless in the fight against crime and I will work collaboratively with communities across Essex about how best we can work together to tackle crime.
“My priorities are keeping us all safe, cracking down on crime and catching criminals. I will ensure there is real and practical support for the victims of crime.
“I will work proactively with front-line staff, the Police Federation and the FBU to ensure they feel supported and valued.
“I will tirelessly press central government for the level of resources Essex Police and Fire need to keep us all safe”.
A HARLOW teenager pleaded guilty to non-compliance with a community protection notice.
Hassan Elamahmoud, aged 19, of Brays Mead, Harlow pled to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.
On 20/10/2020 at Harlow being an individual to whom a community protection notice had been issued, failed to comply with the notice in that the individual has been seen by officers associating with persons under 18 years old within Harlow Town Centre.
On 31/10/2020 at Harlow being an individual to whom a community protection notice had been issued, failed to comply with the notice in that the individual has been seen by officers associating with persons under the age of 18 and found to be in the possession of a cannabis grinder.
INSTAGRAM was the most used platform in child grooming crimes during lockdown, research by the NSPCC suggests.
New data shows there were more than 1,200 online grooming crimes recorded against children in the three months from April to June across the UK, with the true scale of the problem likely to be much higher. The figures reveal how Instagram is increasingly being exploited by offenders. It was used in 37% of cases where the platform was recorded, compared with 29% over the previous three years.
In the East of England, there were 114 online grooming offences against children from April to June, 36% of these offences took place on Instagram, 52% were on Facebook-owned apps including Instagram. The findings have led to renewed calls for Boris Johnson to get tough on tech firms that fail to do enough to prevent offenders exploiting their sites and abusing children. Freedom of Information responses from 38 police forces in England and Wales show that 1,220 offences of Sexual Communication with a Child were recorded in the first three months of lockdown. Facebook-owned apps (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) were used in 51% of instances where the means of communication was recorded. Snapchat was used in 20% of instances for which data was available.
Offences have also increased annually in the three years prior to lockdown. In total there were 12,925 offences recorded by police in England and Wales from April 2017 to March 2020, with experts saying poorly designed social media sites are putting children at risk. The NSPCC warned the pandemic had created a perfect storm for online offenders and believe these figures could mark the start of a surge in online grooming crimes.
With ongoing Coronavirus restrictions across the UK, the charity believes that the risk of online abuse will continue to spike, and many more offences may come to light when children report them at school.
One girl who contacted Childline during the pandemic said: “I am 12 and I don’t have social media but I wanted to get online and chat to people since my friends had done it and told me it would be fun. It started off fine with the occasional ‘hi’ and then men started sending d* pics and saying really personal things.”
The new data comes as the Prime Minister makes vital decisions about online harms legislation that will create a Duty of Care on tech firms, with an announcement expected within weeks. It’s understood the Online Harms White Paper consultation response has been signed off by DCMS and the Home Office and is sitting with Boris Johnson.
The Prime Minister is being urged to ensure companies and named managers can be held criminally responsible for failing to protect children from avoidable harm and abuse.
The need for a bold and ambitious response from Government has been heightened by the knock-on effects of the pandemic. Criminals are exploiting the fact that children are spending more time online and high-risk video chatting and livestreaming services have become more popular.
After years of failed self-regulation, many platforms were easily exploitable for groomers during lockdown, with many seeing the crisis as an opportunity to commit abuse.
The offence of Sexual Communication with a Child came in in April 2017 after a campaign by the NSPCC, making it illegal for an adult to send a sexual message to a child.
The NSPCC wants the upcoming Online Harms Bill to compel firms to consider child protections when they design their sites to prevent harm rather than react once the damage is done.
But it is warning tough deterrents will be needed to make some of the world’s biggest companies stand up and listen, and is concerned the Government may not go far enough.
NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless said: “Families have long paid the price for big tech’s failure to protect children from abuse, but the Prime Minister has the chance to turn the tide and put responsibility on firms to clean up the mess they created.
“As the pandemic intensifies the threat children face online, bold and ambitious action is needed in the form of a world-leading Online Harms Bill.
“This means legislation that is tough on online crimes against children and regulation that holds tech companies and bosses financially and criminally responsible if they continue to turn a blind eye to entirely avoidable harm.” Chief Constable Simon Bailey added: “In an increasingly digitally connected world, perpetrators of child abuse are conducting more and more of their activities online. Offenders use the internet to access and share child abuse images, and to make contact with and groom children directly.
“Although online regulation is difficult, it is clear that it is the only way to ensure tech and social media companies will take their responsibilities seriously. The Online Harms White Paper, published in February 2020, proposes a new regulatory framework and duty of care which have the potential to be of real use in the fight against child exploitation.”
Last month the NSPCC laid out six tests the Government’s regulation of social media will be judged on if it is to achieve bold and lasting protections for children online.
The charity said in order to make the UK a world-leader in child protection online, regulation must: Create an expansive, principles-based duty of care Comprehensively tackle online sexual abuse Put legal but harmful content on an equal footing with illegal material Have robust transparency and investigatory powers Hold industry to account with criminal and financial sanctions Give civil society a legal voice for children with user advocacy arrangements
OWNER of Loughton builders merchant pleads guilty to under-age knife sales
Hardip Hundal, the owner of Valley Hill Builders Merchant, 2 Valley Hill, Loughton, IG10 3AA has yesterday (Wednesday 11 November) pleaded guilty to the sale of a knife to an under 18-year-old, contrary to section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, as a result of an Essex Trading Standards investigation.
Hardip Hundal, of Pump Hill, Loughton – owner of the business, was sentenced at Southend Magistrates Court to a 12-Month Conditional Discharge as well as £750 costs.
Kuldip Dhaliwal of Millwards, Harlow – an employee and then, manager of the business who actually made the sale failed to attend court and there is now a warrant issued for his arrest without bail.
The conviction comes following an Essex Trading Standards investigation during 2019.
Essex Trading Standards brought the prosecution under The Criminal Justice Act 1988.
With knife crime amongst young people on the rise, Essex Trading Standards in conjunction with partners, Epping Forest District Council and Essex Police – carried out a series of underage knife test purchases in the Epping Forest District.
On the 16th July 2019, Trading Standards Officers carried out an underage test purchase operation at Valley Hill Builders Merchant, 2 Valley Hill, Loughton, IG10 3AA, with a 16-year-old volunteer. The visit to the premises was as a result of a sale of a knife made during a previous test purchase operation in May 2019.
After the first sale the business owner and employee were warned formally in writing, in line with the Trading Standards Prosecution Policy, they were also given comprehensive advice in order to assist with future compliance with the law.
Following the second sale – on investigation, the business hadn’t adopted the advice given; there was no age restricted sales policy (such as Challenge 21 or 25) in place, or staff training in regard to age restricted products.
Essex Trading Standards takes a graduated approach and when advice and guidance is found to be ineffective then it becomes necessary to act resolutely against those who make illegal sales of knives, with all the related risks of violent crime and disorder that can result. The desired outcome is ultimately to make communities safer.
Cllr Susan Barker, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Customer, Corporate, Culture and Communities said: “Yesterday’s sentencing sends a clear message to individuals that continue to break the law. The importance of protecting young people, in ensuring that retailers do not sell knives to those under the age of 18, cannot be overstated. To achieve this, effective enforcement is absolutely key.”
