By the Harlow Community Police Team
TO mark 100 days of the newly formed Town Centre Team we held an Emergency services day in Market Square on 23rd November. We were joined by Police Cadets, Essex County Fire & Rescue, Youth Offending Team, retired police dog Baloo, Crime Scene Investigators and firearms officers. This was an ideal opportunity for the local community to come and see some of the work that the emergency services get up to.
The Town Centre Team have been working hard over the past 100 days to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and have built good relationships with our partners. Hopefully you will have seen the increased patrols and action taken to address the problems that have been highlighted to us, working with others to put measures in place to reduce anti-social behaviour in Terminus Street and to improve that environment for those using the bus station. The council & local charities are providing longer term support to rough sleepers and temporary accommodation during the colder nights.
We have continued with our efforts to tackle drug related crime, executing a number of warrants at addresses in Lower Meadow, Longfield, Shield House, Little Brays and St Andrews Meadow. This has resulted in a substantial seizure of drugs and weapons and several of those persons arrested where remanded in police custody to appear before the court following the arrest. One such warrant also resulted in the temporary closure of The Willow pub in Harlow after their licence was reviewed. Drug use has a significant impact on the local community, it is connected to crime and anti-social behaviour and we will continue to take action. If you have information or concerns about drug use in your area please do report it to police via crime stoppers or 101.
We were made aware of an increase in anti-social behaviour in the Brenthall Towers / Potter Street area which was causing distress to local residents. As a result the team attended the area over a number of days with the Council Community Safety Team and Essex Fire & Rescue. We made a number of arrests and issued Community Protection Warning notices, placing restrictions on a number of youths. It’s not fair that the local community should have to put up with anti-social behaviour and we will take action against those involved. Those who were arrested were given bail conditions preventing them from returning to the area.
Last month I spoke regarding garage burglaries, following an arrest these have decreased slightly but are still happening, please make sure you protect your property by using a good locks and by not leaving valuable items in your garage. House burglaries traditionally increase at this time of year due to the dark nights. Simple preventative measures can be taken – consider timer switches for your internal lights, always double lock UPVC doors, especially overnight, considering joining a local neighbourhood watch, as always more detailed advice can be found at www.essex.police.uk. In the past week an eighteen year old was arrested in the early hours for burglary and vehicle related offences in the Westfield area, following an investigation by CID he was charged and will be spending his Christmas in prison pending a court hearing.
Lastly –A happy Christmas and safe new year to everyone in Harlow especially local residents and all of the partners who work closely with the police. There will be extra officers on duty over the Christmas period to deal with the seasonal increase in demand. The Police Station is open daily from 9am to 5pm with the exception of Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day when it’s closed. There is a telephone outside the police station and officers are on duty 24/7. Police can also be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency. The Community Policing Team email address is HarlowCPT@essex.police.uk
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