Chief Inspector’s Update

By Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Jo Collins.

The 1st July saw the arrival of the Knife Angel in Southend which is a poignant and striking reminder of the devastation caused by knife crime, across individual families and across our wider communities.

I’m hoping that you have had a chance to visit and see the statue in person but if not, there is still time as it is here until 28th July and it really is worth a visit. One of the key messages I want to share is that we are working hard to make Southend a safe place for the people who live and work here, and for those who visit.

It’s really important we continue to maintain a highly visible presence. We’re in the places where we’re needed most, we’re helping people who are vulnerable, and we’re building relationships with the people and our partners who are best placed to tackle the root causes behind knife crime.

Our day-to-day work to tackle knife crime includes targeted patrols across hotspot areas, the use of knife arches, intelligence, and proactive policing to identify people who are carrying them. This activity takes place not just in Southend but across all areas including Leigh and Westcliff.

You will all know that sometimes there are some awful crimes committed against children and the most vulnerable in our society. The work of the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) is really difficult but massively rewarding and I was previously the Detective Inspector on that team for three years seeing the impact online sexual crimes have on victims, their families and also the officers that deal with the crimes as we are only human too.

On Monday 10th June Alex Symeonides of Westcliff Park Drive was sentenced to four years and eight months following a POLIT investigation which identified that he was using the internet to view indecent images of children. Further sexual offending was also identified against children and at court Symeonides pleaded guilty to all charges. Great work by the team to get this conviction and alongside the jail sentence Symeonides will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

This will also be my last update for you as I will be retiring from policing after 32 years with Essex Police, initially as a Special Constable and Control Room staff and then 29 years as a police officer.

I look back on my career with lots of fondness and great memories, and of course some more difficult times too but I am proud to have been an officer and hopefully made a difference. The beauty of policing is that we get so many opportunities to do different roles and some of my highlights have been working in Scenes of Crime as a Detective Sergeant and Crime Scene Manager, being able to use forensics to solve major crimes and murders.

I have worked in several detective roles within our Public Protection team safeguarding children and vulnerable people from harm. I have also been a staff officer to Chief Officers, worked alongside HMIC inspecting other forces and have undertaken project management within our Strategic Change department.

This variety is very unique within one organisation, and it makes policing such a rewarding and challenging career. In my current role I meet new officers when they join my team and I tell them what an amazing career they have chosen. I would still recommend it to anyone who has an interest or passion for helping people and public service.

If you think you could be an officer, special constable or member of our wider police family as a staff member then please visit our website to see our current vacancies Careers at Essex Police.

I would like to thank everyone who has read my updates and those who support us and equally those who tell us when we do things wrong. Take care and stay safe.

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