Chief Inspector’s Update - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Chief Inspector’s Update – BY Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Dave Browning.

Chief Inspector’s Update - BY Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Dave Browning.

BY Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Dave Browning.

March is here and hopefully better weather is on the way. Here’s a few updates on some of the hard work of a few of our teams over the last few weeks.

On Saturday 1 March, our Roads Policing Unit officers continued to tackle drink and drug driving by focussing their efforts to target unfit drivers in the Southend and Rochford areas.

On the day, the team arrested 12 people in total – 11 for drink and drug offences and a further arrest in connection with possession of drugs. Two of the arrests came after the drivers tried to evade arrest with officers following in pursuit to ensure no one was injured by their reckless driving decisions.

Enforcement of the law resulted in 14 uninsured vehicles being seized, a driver warned about anti-social driving and one driver being asked to perform an eyesight test – all ways we can keep all our road users safe.

But stops for drink or drug driving can also link to other, more serious crimes.

One driver who was arrested for drug driving in Southend was subsequently further arrested in connection with an incident from 2024 whereby a five-figure sum of goods was taken from a lorry in Witham. The 29-year-old man from East London has been released on bail whilst we continue our enquiries.

In a second incident, the driver of a BMW car was brought to a stop in Chalkwell after the driver failed to stop for police. The 21-year-old from Billericay was arrested on suspicion of fraudulent use of a registration mark after it was established that the car was displaying the wrong VRM. He was further arrested on suspicion of no insurance, using an unroadworthy car, dangerous driving. He too has been bailed.

Officers from our Violence and Vulnerability Unit, working with British Transport Police have been at Chalkwell train station during school commuting times in response to community concerns raised about young people behaving anti socially.

We understand that when people act anti socially it can be intimidating and can cause issues for communities and stop people from wanting to go somewhere.

We will continue to work with our colleagues at British Transport Police to be visible at our train stations so that we can deter anti social behaviour and quickly respond to reports that we receive.

Over in Leigh our Specially Trained Project Servator officers have been out helping to keep everyone safe.

The team often work with local businesses checking in with staff to make sure they’ve not spotted anything that seems suspicious and reminding them to report anything that doesn’t feel right. By creating a network of vigilance we can prevent crime and keep our city safe.

If you see our Project Servator deployments – it’s nothing to worry about. Our officers are there to keep you safe. Come and say hello and ask us what we’re doing.

If you see anything that doesn’t seem right, let us know. You can report online or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Why not pop along to one of our Upcoming Events:

Tuesday 18 March between 10am – 11am at Waitrose, London Road, Leigh

Wednesday 19 March between 5pm-6pm Outside Tesco, London Road, Leigh

Tuesday 25 March between 10am – 11am at Wakey Wakey Café, London Road, Leigh

Wednesday 26 March between 12pm-1pm Outside Londis, Eastwood Old Road, Leigh

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