Chief Inspector’s Update

By Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Jo Collins.

I HOPE this local update finds you all well and I wanted to use this opportunity to share some of the successes and good news stories from the last few weeks.

I know there is often criticism of the police and that we don’t always get it right, but the below stories show some of the great work being conducted by officers every day to help people, keep people safe and catch criminals.

You may remember the tragic death of Dave Peck at The Lamb and Lion Pub in Westcliff on December 23, 2022.

Dave was hit in the chest by a crossbow fired by Alfie Turner, which was a random attack and the two were not known to each other.

Having shot Dave, Turner left the pub and was arrested less than 90 minutes after the incident and was later charged with murder.

Turner denied murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

At Basildon Crown Court on Thursday October 26, he was given a life sentence with a section 45A hospital order. This means he will be detained at a mental health facility and if fit will then be sent to prison.

My thoughts are with Dave’s friends and family who I hope will be given some comfort following the court result.

On September 26 last year, Levi Whalley forced his way into three cars, and tried to get into several others, threatening the drivers in the Leigh and Basildon areas over a space of about 45 minutes.

At around 8.50am, a woman was sitting in her car at traffic lights at the junction of London Road and Herschell Road in Leigh when Whalley approached the vehicle, opened the door, and shouted at her to get out.

He assaulted and threatened her before driving off in the car.

Shortly after we received a call from a member of the public who saw the stolen car being driven with blown out tyres on the London-bound A127 near Southend. The caller reported the driver stopped the car before then trying to get into others.

He continued this in Basildon and subsequently tried to get into other vehicles, including pulling a woman out of hers and trying to drive off, before being apprehended by members of the public.

Whalley was arrested and later charged with several offences, which he denied, but was convicted on Monday October 23 and sentenced to five years in prison.

I also want to update you on an operation that has been running in Southend City Centre during the summer, which I’m sure you will be keen to see continue in the run up to Christmas.

I know some of you will visit Southend during the evenings and that sometimes people don’t always feel safe walking at night.

Every Friday and Saturday evening between 2000 and 0400 hours during the summer we have had a Safe Space by the Odeon at the top of the High Street.

Southend Safe Space offers access to police and partner agencies during the key times where serious violence and knife crime can occur. Following our summer deployments, we have received lots of positive feedback, both in person and on social media and I am pleased to announce that the initiative will run for all weekends in December. Helping to support our key aim of keeping you safe.

Christmas Giving Tree – This year we are running our Christmas Giving Tree again and are appealing to the community to help us brighten Christmas for vulnerable children who may otherwise receive little or nothing.

If you can donate a small gift, we’ll pass it on. We’re collecting them up until Monday 18 December and working with partners to identify children who will benefit the most.

Our officers and staff will then get busy wrapping and delivering in time for the big day.

Here in Southend you can drop your gifts off at the police station in Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ES any time between 9am and 5pm seven days a week, or you may wish to shop online and get your present delivered or you can order from our Amazon Wish List at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1N1K2BXOZ77E4?ref_=wl_share.

Anything you can give, however small will make a big difference. Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your continued support of policing and stay safe in all that you do. Please call us if you need help or advice or speak to us whilst we are out and about, we love to chat.

Events in your area – come along and speak to us at the following locations.

Wednesday 15 November 1.30pm to 5.30pm Havens Hub, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff.

Tuesday 21 November 11am to 1pm Tesco, Prince Avenue, Westcliff.

Saturday 25 November 11am to 2pm St Saviours Church Christmas Bazaar, Kings Road, Westcliff.

Monday 27 November 10am to 12.30pm HSBC, London Road, Southend.

Thursday 30 November 10am to 12pm  Waitrose, Fossetts Way, Southend.

Tuesday 19th December 11am – 1pm Tesco,  Prince Avenue, Westcliff.

 

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