Chief Inspector’s Update

BY Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Dave Browning.

Increased High Visibility Patrols from your Community Policing Team. You will have seen an increase of High visibility patrols taking place Over the Christmas and New year period officers have worked around the clock so you can enjoy the festive period without anti-social behaviour.

Proactive work sees decline in robberies across Essex in 2024 – Our ongoing work to catch violent offenders and safeguard the public has seen a 12% drop in the number of personal robberies in 2024 across Essex.

That’s according to the most recently released crime statistics for the 12 months to November 2024.

In the Castle Point district alone, incidents of robbery of personal property have been cut by half year-on-year. In the Chelmsford and Southend districts, we’ve seen a reduction of around 30%.

Robbery is a hugely violating crime and officers from our community and local policing teams, together with our CID detectives, are committed to stamping it out. Just this month, detectives saw positive results in their investigation into the robbery of a 12-year-old boy in Southend.

It was reported the teenaged boy was approached by a man in Swanage Road at around 4.20pm on 25 November. The man grabbed him and demanded his phone. The boy refused and was assaulted. Officer arrested a 27-year-old man form Dagenham on suspicion of attempted robbery on Friday 29 November.

He’s since been charged, remanded in custody and is next due to appear before a crown court judge in January.

Emergency Prohibition Order for High Street property – A property on Southend High Street has been shut down and its residents safeguarded after officers discovered squatters and signs of drug use when investigating reports of an assault.

One of the building’s residents contacted police alleging she had been attacked after confronting someone living there illegally.

When officers attended the scene, they found drug paraphernalia and non-residents inside. They immediately made Southend City Council aware.

The following day, our officers joined council officials, representatives from Essex Fire and Rescue and the managing agent at the property. It had suffered extensive damage and was deemed unsafe for habitation.

The property’s doors and windows were secured, and the council issued an Emergency Prohibition Order, which prevents its use for residential purposes.

Two people were arrested for possession of drugs with the intent to supply and offensive weapons offences. One of the individuals was wanted on a recall to prison, where he has since returned.

The squatters were removed, and the eight residents were safeguarded.

Crime in Southend is down by 6.7% in the past 12 months with 1,248 fewer offences reported and anti-social behaviour is down by 68% since 2019.

Events for Leigh, Eastwood and Westcliff

Monday 6 January 11am to 12pm

Havens Community Centre

Hamlet Court Road

Westcliff on sea

SS0 7LW

Thursday 16 January 2pm to 4pm

Eastwood Baptist Church

Nobles Green Road

SS9 5PY

 

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