THREE £5,000 rewards are being offered for help to find three men wanted over a fatal shooting near Harlow.
Robert Powell, 50, was shot multiple times from a car on Water Lane in Roydon on 13 June and died in hospital the following day.
Three men, Nana Oppong, Temitope Adeyinka and Israar Shah, are wanted in connection with his death.
All three men have links to Essex and East London.
Who are the men?
Nana Oppong is 5ft 6ins tall and has a proportionate build. He is also known as ‘Enz’. He has links to several areas in East London
Temitope Adeyinka is 5ft 8ins tall and has a medium build. He is also called ‘Limo’. He has links to East London, including Bow
Israar Shah is 6ft 1ins tall and has a slim build. He also goes by the name ‘Slick’. He has links with East London and Romford.
The charity Crimestoppers says it’s possible they have left the country.
“This is a shocking incident that should never happen”, Philip Breckon, from the charity Crimestoppers, said.
“Our charity believes in safe streets and safe communities and we hope that these rewards and our appeal will help to bring about justice.
“We are appealing to anybody with any information on the whereabouts of Nana Oppong, Temitope Adeyinka and Israar Shah to do the right thing and to tell our charity what you know, 100% anonymously. What you tell us can make all the difference in keeping others safe from harm and no information is too insignificant to tell us.
“You can speak to us anonymously by calling our UK Contact Centre which is open 24/7 on freephone number 0800 555 111 or you can use our simple and secure anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
ROGER Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has welcomed the revised Victims Code published by the Ministry of Justice last week.
He said: “Supporting victims of crime is one of the key areas of our focus in our Police and Crime Plan and must be at the heart of everything we do.
“It’s a good step in the right direction as more victims can be made aware of their rights and shortening the code will make it more accessible.”
The new Victims’ Code provides victims of crime with the rights they need to support them at one of the most challenging times of their lives, whether they decide to report a crime or not.
It sets out the level of support victims must receive from the police, courts and other criminal justice agencies, with 12 Rights that are designed to be clear, concise and easy to understand.
To find out more about your rights before the Code comes into force on 1 April 2021, go to
Roger added: “We are committed to ensuring victims receive the support they are entitled to under the Victims Code of Practice and will ensure services for victims are driven by their needs and provide the necessary support to help them cope and recover from crime.”
Our pledge: * We believe victims should be at the heart of the criminal justice system and are placing a special emphasis on their needs within each and every policing priority * Every victim should receive the services they are entitled to under the Victims Code and we will ensure that the criminal justice agencies are held to account for the delivery against the code * Everyone who reports a crime should be kept informed and updated about their case * People who have experienced harm should receive appropriate support and be directly involved in the design of their services * We will commission services which are driven by the needs of the victim and we will regularly seek feedback to improve and provide even better support, so victims are able to cope and recover from their experience * Our Restorative Justice Services, which are focused on the needs of the victims, will expand to enable more victims to have access
One of the services we commission to support victims in Essex is Victim Support. Find out more about one of its new services for Essex residents below.
============== Victims of crime who are reluctant to report their experience are being supported with a new virtual service.
People who have fallen victim to a crime but are anxious about speaking with anyone about it are logging on to My Support Space to manage the impact the incident has had on them.
The free, safe, secure and confidential online resource was set up by Victim Support during the first Covid-19 national lockdown earlier this year.
The independent charity provides specialist practical and emotional support to thousands of Essex residents each month who have witnessed or become a victim of a crime.
My Support Space enables victims of crime to set up an account and gain access to a range of tools – including videos, techniques, activities and tips – to help them to cope and move forward.
They can work through relevant interactive guides addressing specific needs at their own pace.
It is hoped the resource will act as a stepping-stone in giving victims the confidence to report the crime.
Sara McParland, senior caseworker, said: “My Support Space was set up as we saw a gap. While some victims report crimes to the police, others do not feel comfortable reporting and yet are still victims of crime. Others might have reported and are struggling and do not feel they can reach out and talk to someone about it.
“We wanted to provide victims of crime with an online resource to enable us to help them in the same way we would if we were having a conversation with them. This way, they can work through the programme at their own pace, picking it up and putting it down whenever they want to.
It is a confidential space people can access in their own time. “It has been designed so people can reflect on their feelings after a crime and understand how they can support themselves during that time. It is very simple to use, so even those who are not IT savvy can use it.
“It could result in the victim giving us a call. They could work through a module and realise what they are experiencing is real and that it is a crime.
We hope they will then take the next step and call us, so we can put specialist support in place.
“It is a really important part of our work. I absolutely love it. I think it’s brilliant.”
With the service having launched in April, it has provided support for those falling victim to crime as a result of the pandemic.
Sara said: “The uptake for the domestic abuse module on the site has been really high, with people not feeling safe in their own homes. There have also been more people turning to the site because of neighbour harassment issues, as people are getting resentful of neighbours breaking the rules while they are trying to do the right thing themselves. It can become a very sensitive situation that creates a divide, especially for those who are already vulnerable.
“We are definitely seeing different crime patterns. When the first lockdown was eased, burglaries and assaults went up and we got a flood of domestic abuse calls.”
While the tool is aimed at people affected by crime, its guides on wellbeing, trauma, difficult emotions, social media harassment, home safety, coping strategies and the justice system can be used by anyone needing support.
TWO Essex Police officers have been dismissed without notice following a fast-track misconduct hearing which found they had breached a number of the standards of professional behaviour.
The hearing took place yesterday, Tuesday 24 November, at Chelmsford City Council offices and was chaired by Chief Constable BJ Harrington.
Sergeant Matthew Parker and PC Robert Fraser were found to have committed gross misconduct and breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, discreditable conduct and challenging and reporting improper behaviour.
The hearing heard how the officers, who both worked in Essex Police’s Resolution Centre at the force’s Chelmsford headquarters, were part of a WhatsApp group where discriminatory and derogatory images and memes were shared.
The group was discovered in May and the officers were suspended from their duties at Essex Police Headquarters in Chelmsford.
Chief Constable Harrington said: “I expect the utmost professionalism from all officers and staff at Essex Police and that extends to their conduct on messaging and social media platforms, whether on or off duty.
“The public rightly expects the highest standards of officers and staff who are entrusted to keep them safe. No member of the police service should discriminate against any part of society.
“The behaviour shown by these officers undermines the hard-earned trust of the communities of Essex. It fell far short of my expectations and is out of step with the high standards of diversity, equality and inclusion, all of which are at the heart of what Essex Police stands for. It damages the reputation of the majority of those working within Essex Police who value difference in all people and provide a high-quality service to the people of Essex.”
A HARLOW man has been fined and disqualified for driving under the influence of drugs.
Samuel Kemp, aged 30 of Hornbeams, Harlow pleaded guilty at Chelmsford magistrates court.
On 15/05/2020 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely Toyota Yaris on a road, namely Parsloe Road, when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in your blood, namely 8.8 micrograms of analyte per litre of blood exceeded the specified limit.
Kemp was fined £120.00 and disqualified from driving for twelve months.
THE FIRST group of cases in relation to breaching Covid-19 regulations have come in front of the courts in Essex.
The cases go back to April and May, 2020.
Among them are a number of Harlow residents.
Gary Drain, aged 52, of Terminus House, Harlow.
On 10/04/2020 at Harlow contravene requirement to not participate in a gathering in public of more than two people – Coronavirus Contrary to regulations 7 and 9(1)(a) and (4) of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.
On 10/04/2020 at 1550 in Harlow defendant was in group sat on benches drinking alcohol and had previously that day been told to return home.
Drain was fined £220.00
===============
Kylie Hartley, aged 19, of Wharley Hook, Harlow
On 04/05/2020 at Harlow without reasonable excuse, during the emergency period, other than as permitted by the Regulations, participated in a gathering in a public place of more than two people
On 04/05/2020 at 19:16 at Harlow, the defendant, without reasonable excuse, during the emergency period, other than as permitted by the Regulations, participated in a gathering in a public place of more than two people. Seen in a group of people, COVID rules explained and she was told to leave. Defendants was seen five minutes later, with same group, and so was given a ticket.
Hartley was fined £220.00
=========================
Jason Mayhew, aged 31, of Ash Tree Field, Harlow
On 16/04/2020 at North Weald contravened requirement as to restriction of movement during emergency period – Coronavirus, without reasonable excuse. Contrary to regulations 6 and 9(1)(b) & (4) of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.
On 16/04/2020 at 1449 in North Weald suspect was out with a friend on a quad bike just for a ride.
===========================
Matuesz Wilk, aged 35, of Northbrooks, Harlow
On 04/05/2020 at Harlow, contravene a direction or fail to comply with instruction – Coronavirus Contrary to paragraph 23(1)(a) and (2) of Schedule 21 to the Coronavirus Act 2020.
On 04/05/2020 at approximately 18:50 in Harlow, the defendant during a transmission control period, failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction, reasonable instruction, requirement or restriction, namely suspect told to leave Harlow Town Centre as sat on floor drinking.
They moved but found ten minutes later sat on floor drinking in another public location, imposed on you under 7 of Part 2 of Schedule 21 to the Coronavirus Act 2020 by a constable who had reasonable grounds to suspect that you were potentially infectious.
EVERY year, November 25 marks the United Nations day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Very often at this time of year women are portrayed as victims of crime, yet there are many strong women in our local communities. These women may have been victims of abuse, supported those who have been, or who have faced other challenges in their lives.
This year, the Safer Harlow Partnership wanted to honour strong women in Harlow by asking residents to nominate women who they feel deserves a Blooming Strong Woman award.
A judging panel has selected seven local women for an award. Three of the women are survivors of domestic abuse and three have shown great strength and commitment in supporting abused women and children. The final award went to a woman who in midst of fighting against cancer, has found the strength to support many other women in the community who are going through the same experience.
Jan Dalrymple, CEO of Safer Places, said: “It was a privilege to be a part of the panel seeing all the nominations for the Blooming Strong Woman Awards. The seven women who have been selected to receive a bouquet are certainly Blooming Strong Women and totally deserving of this recognition. They are indeed an inspiration to us all!”
If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence there is help available:
Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0330 3337 444. Helpline available from 8am to 8pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm weekends. Messages will be responded to within 24hrs.
OFFICERS from the Harlow Community Policing Team have secured a closure of an address in the town following reports of persistent anti-social behaviour.
An application for a closure order following service of a notice on 15/11/2020 in respect of 167 Arkwrights, Harlow was made at Chelmsford magistrates court.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We applied for the order for the address in Arkwrights following repeated reports of disturbances and drug-related issues, as well as people visiting the address causing noise, using profane language, making threats, and causing damage.
“The order was granted on 17 November and only permits the occupant of the address access to it and will be in place until 16 February 2021.
“It means anyone without a reasonable excuse who remains on or enters the premises in contravention of the order is committing an offence under Section 86 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014”.
PC Cara Oldroyd-Jones, from Harlow CPT, said: “Anti-social behaviour can cause misery to communities and we won’t stand for it.
“This issue was having a serious detrimental affect on the quality of life for people living nearby.
“We have acted on the numerous reports about activity at this premises.
“We will continue to work with our partners to address these kinds of issues and provide long-terms solutions to ongoing problems.”
A METROPOLITAN Police officer from Harlow has been dismissed from the force after an investigation into the wholesale movement of drugs and the laundering of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Pc Kashif Mahmood was dismissed without notice after being convicted of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to acquire criminal property, the Met said.
Between November last year and March this year the officer, in uniform and using a marked police car, worked with an associate who dressed as an officer to “seize significant amounts of cash” from couriers, the force said.
The cash was either due to be laundered or had been provided to the couriers as payment for drugs, the Met added.
He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court in August to misconduct as well as conspiracy to acquire criminal property and is due to be sentenced on December 22, police said.
A misconduct hearing on Thursday found proven allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity and duties and responsibilities.
Commander Paul Betts, directorate of professional standards at the Met, said: “This is a very serious matter and there is absolutely no place for corruption within the Metropolitan Police Service.
“Following his conviction at court it is entirely right Pc Mahmood has been dismissed and he will also be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list.”
Pc Mahmood, from Harlow, was convicted with five other people for a number of offences following an investigation by the directorate of professional standards’ anti-corruption command.
A CHURCH Langley man has been banned for three years after drug-driving.
Reiss Silver, aged 29, of Hadley Grange, Harlow, on April 11th, 2020, drove a motor vehicle, namely BMW 118, on a road, Tillwicks Road, when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, in your blood, namely not less than 10 micrograms of drug per litre of blood, exceeded the specified limit.
Silver pleaded guilty to the charge at Chelmsford magistrates court.
He was banned from driving for three years and fined £120.00
A HARLOW man has been remanded in custody after being accused of ringing a woman 162 times in a 24 hour period.
Leon Oxenham, of Malkins Drive, Church Langley has been charged with the following.
On 14/10/2020 and 15/10/2020 at Harlow pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of a woman and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her in that between 14th to 15th October 2020 you called her 162 times and messaged her several times.
Oxenham has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on December 7th at Basildon magistrates court.
THE Licensing Committee of Harlow Council is set to review the licence of The Chequers public house in Old Harlow.
The committee will be meeting on Wednesday December 2nd.
Full details of the agenda can be found below. This includes a chronological list of the complaints in regards to the premises.
The licence holder is Bradley Reeve.
The Sub- Committee is requested to consider the review application and any relevant representations and determine what steps, if any, it considers are appropriate to promote the Licensing Objectives.
That the Sub-Committee consider the application for review and any RELEVANT representations and take such of the following steps, if any, as it considers appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives:
i) to modify the conditions of the licence;
ii) to exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence;
iii) to remove the designated premises supervisor from the licence;
iv) to suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months; or torevoke the licence.
The grounds for the review are:
The Licence holder has failed to uphold the Licensing Objective of the Prevention of public nuisance.
Mr Reeve has not taken appropriate steps to protect the licensing objective even when asked or required to do so.
To date we have not seen any documented evidence that condition 2.5 is being adhered to.
2.5 Noise levels must be monitored at regular intervals by Management to ensure that no nuisance is being created by the entertainment being provided
Whereas there is substantial evidence of nuisance caused by business at the premises.
The premises has repeatedly failed to comply with formal COVID-19 guidance and restrictions thus putting staff patrons and members of the wider community at risk of transmission of COVID-19 with the attendant risk of causing additional demand on health care services.
This posed a risk of infection among customers with the added risk of all those customers taking an infection back to their own homes and the subsequent impact on the safety of the wider community that they come into contact with and constituting a nuisance in accordance with the s182 Guidance (gatherings being prejudicial to health due to the COVID-19 infection risk).
A TRIAL date has been set for a woman accused of causing serious injuries to a motorcyclist.
Danielle Fry, aged 25, of Freshwaters, Harlow has been charged with the following.
On July 24th, 2019 in Harlow drove a mechanically propelled vehicle, namely Silver Ford Focus, on a road, First Avenue, Harlow without due care and attention.
It is alleged that Fry drove Silver Ford Focus, on First Avenue without due care and attention in that the defendant pulled across the path of a Black Yamaha motorbike which had right of way on First Avenue causing a collision with the motorcycle, causing serious injuries to the motorcyclist.
A trial date of April 30th, 2021 at Southend magistrates court has been set.
MENTAL health services in Essex should form closer ties with police to address concerns over patients experiencing a deterioration in their health, a report has concluded.
The report commissioned by the Braintree Community Safety Partnership has also recommended care services across the county should seek to share information more regularly reports the Braintree and Witham Times.
The findings come following a review into the death of former Harlow resident Suzanne Brown in Braintree in December 2017.
Ms Brown, 33, was stabbed 173 times by her boyfriend Jake Neate at their home address in Mountbatten Court.
Suzanne Brown grew up in Harlow and went to Stewards Academy.
Mr Neate, who suffered with paranoid schizophrenia, was detained by police but deemed unfit to stand trial and later handed an an indefinite hospital order.
The review by the safety partnership found Mr Neate’s mental health had deteriorated in the weeks leading up to the killing of Ms Brown.
On the night of Ms Brown’s death, Mr Neate’s parents had contacted Essex Police multiple times to raise concerns about the welfare of their son and his partner.
It took several hours for officers to attend the property and they arrived to find Ms Brown had already been stabbed.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct carried out in 2018 found calls to the force control room were not categorised correctly, which led to the delay.
The safety partnership’s own review has concluded a formal process should be developed where police can notify mental health professionals of an individual’s deteriorating mental health.
It has suggested Essex Police and the Essex Partnership University Trust should install a mental health practitioner in the force control room who would have access to mental health records.
The partnership says this would have allowed call operators to better assess Mr Neate’s needs and could have ensured the police response time was quicker.
In response to the recommendations, an EPUT spokesman said: “There has been increased partnership working between EPUT and Essex Police over the last few years to provide a better response to people in crisis.
“EPUt mental health service nurses have been based in the force control room working alongside police colleagues since 2018 and since 2019 have been involved in all mental health related incidents.”
Essex Police says it is working with EPUT to introduce a referral process and is constantly reviewing how it responds to domestic incidents.
Funding for Essex Police comes from two sources, central government funding and local council tax. Taking these two funding sources into account Essex Police receives the second lowest funding per resident of any police force in the country and has one of the lowest council tax precepts for policing.
Roger said: “Over the last three years, we have secured substantially more Government funding for policing and with residents support have been able to increase funds locally to increase the number of police officers.
“By March 2021 there will be 519 more officers in Essex than there were in 2018, 384 of them as a result of the increase in your local Council Tax precept and efficiencies achieved by Essex Police, and 135 from the national police uplift programme.
“Taking into account recent investments in technology and improved efficiency this will make Essex Police as strong as it has ever been
“We’ve seen a reduction in recorded crime over the last year, with over 9,000 fewer offences recorded and, importantly, fewer victims of crime between September 2019 and September 2020, compared to the year before. Even before COVID we were seeing significant reductions in burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour.
“We want to ensure policing priorities in Essex reflect the needs of the communities they serve. “Previously we asked residents what their priorities were, and their answers were reflected in the recent Police and Crime Plan Extension which can be read here: https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20200625-Police-Crime-Plan-Extension-DMH-V.04.pdf
“We have invested heavily in local, accessible and visible policing, have reduced anti-social behaviour, helped protect vulnerable children and adults from harm and reduced serious harm on our roads working with our partners at the Safer Essex Roads Partnership. We are tackling gangs and organised crime as well as helping to break the cycle of domestic abuse.
Together we have made significant progress against the priorities you told us you wanted Essex Police to focus on and we know we need to do more to reduce domestic abuse, violence in our communities and drug driven violence.
“The fire and rescue service in Essex does not have the same level of need for investment as Essex Police but does face several challenges including providing fire protection that can respond to the outcomes of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, training needs and continuous on-call firefighter recruitment.
“We know that this is a difficult financial time for residents and any plans to increase council tax must be considered very carefully. That’s why it’s so important that people take part in the survey and have their say.”
The survey is online but alternative ways of having a say are available. People can call 01245 291600, leave full details and be called back or they can email pfcc@essex.police.uk.
TWO men aged 19 and 20 years old, have been arrested after reports of an attempted robbery that took place at the Queensgate centre in Harlow yesterday evening, Wednesday 2nd December.
The two men were arrested as the result of a joint effort by officers from Harlow and their Roads Policing Team, who responded after a woman reported being threatened with a knife and her car keys demanded.
The men were found nearby on Edinburgh Way and arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.
Officers searched the area and found a knife, which is believed to be connected to the incident.
“Pubs and restaurants might be shutting at 11pm but our cells are open 24/7 for the most dangerous drivers” – that’s our message as we start our Christmas anti-drink and drug driving campaign.
THROUGH December, as Essex moves into Tier 2 COVID-19 regulations meaning many restaurants and pubs are re-opening, our officers will be working around the clock to keep you safe on the road.
During the same period last year we made 166 drink driving arrests, 170 drug driving arrests, and 57 for failing to provide a specimen. Temporary Chief Inspector Emma Bullock, Head of Roads Policing, said:
“We know it’s been a really challenging year and we all want a bit a festive cheer more than ever but that is no excuse for drink driving.
“We don’t want stop people celebrating Christmas but want you to do it safely.
“You can still be over the limit the morning after a few hours sleep or a cup of coffee won’t sober you up.
“I’d urge families not to tolerate their loved ones taking risks and put their lives, and those of others, at risk.
“After the year we’ve all had, we don’t want anyone to experience any more tragedy.
“My officers will be out across the county working proactively to target those flouting the law.
“Pubs and restaurants may have to shut at 11pm but our bars are open 24/7 for the most dangerous drivers.”
Chief Insp Bullock added that we continue to build on our first ever anti-drug driving campaign which launched last year.
She said: “For some time we’ve seen more drug driving arrests than drink driving arrests and it’s really important we continue to raise awareness of the issue while taking drug drivers of the road.
“Throughout this year, whether we’ve been under national restrictions or not, we continue to see people drug driving.
“This month we’ll be particularly targeting the most dangerous drivers – those repeat offenders who drive while disqualified.
“We’re still finding that many people don’t realise that drugs can still be in your system days after last taking them and if you’re caught you could lose your licence, your job, and even your home.”
Nicola Foster, Chairman of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), said: “Any amount of drink and drugs in the human body impairs judgement, so if you need to drive this Christmas, please make a plan to ensure that you do so without drink or drugs in your system.
“You may feel OK to drive, and you may have done it before and managed to get home safely but, especially with more people walking and cycling, is it worth risking their lives as well as yours? No quick ‘high’ will be worth the lifetime ‘low’.
“We understand that everyone makes mistakes but sadly, mistakes on the road can lead to someone dying or being seriously injured on the road.
Vision Zero is the ambition that no one should die on the road because they’ve made a mistake. Driving with more than the legal limit of alcohol or with drugs in your system is a deliberate action and featured in nearly a third of road deaths in Essex in 2018.
“We should all be supporting Essex Police in their desire to remove the worst offenders from our roads to reduce the unacceptable number of road deaths to zero.”
A MAN involved in selling drugs has been jailed for four years.
Ahsan Iqbal (pictured) was arrested as part of an investigation into a drugs line selling crack cocaine and heroin in Harlow.
On 2 September officers were on patrol in the Berecroft area and suspected drug dealing at one particular address.
They monitored activity and saw Iqbal and his co-defendant, Edvaldo Gabriel, leaving in a taxi.
Officers stopped the car and arrested the men on suspicion of drugs offences.
Iqbal had a mobile phone containing messages relating to drugs supply, which he said belonged to Gabriel.
In custody, Iqbal was searched and found to have 35 to 40 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.
The 26-year-old admitted one count of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 6 October.
Iqbal, of Stanmore Road, Leytonstone, was sentenced on 26 November to four years in prison.
Gabriel, 24, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of being concerned in supplying class A drugs when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 6 October.
He was sentenced to four years in prison on 20 October and ordered to forfeit £368.92 in cash.
