FIRE Crews were called to the scene of a fire on a 40ft lorry trailer carrying crushed scrap cars.

On arrival at Cooper Shaw Road, West Tilbury, firefighters reported that the contents of the vehicle was alight and crews began firefighting efforts, firstly through the use of water and then through foam, which is used when water is ineffective.

At 7.40pm firefighters reported that although the fire had been brought under control they were having difficulties completely extinguishing it due to the contents and load.

The decision was made to move the container to a scrap yard in order to tip out the contents and fully extinguish the fire.

An engineer was called to assist with the move as the heat from the fire had caused the brakes of the lorry to lock.

At 8.45pm firefighters reported that the fire had reignited again and it was necessary to bring it back under control before the vehicle could be moved.

At 10.40pm firefighters confirmed that the contents of the lorry had been tipped into a scrapyard and the fire had been extinguished.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.

The post Fire crews battle as lorry trailer alight in East Tilbury appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A MAN has today (Thursday, March 8) been found guilty of murder following the death of a man in South Ockendon.

Zakaria Lahrar, 20, of Dee Close, Upminster, was found guilty by a jury of murdering Daniel Adger, 35, following a three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court.

Connal Cocker-Dawkins, 20, of Denmark Street, Plaistow, was found not guilty of conspiracy to murder but had previously pleaded guilty of conspiring to supply cocaine. He was today jailed for three years.

Lee Dowman, 51, of Lytton Road, Grays, was found not guilty by a jury of murder.

On Tuesday, December 19, Daniel Boakye, 30, of Western Green, Dagenham, admitted murder and being concerned in the supply of cocaine at Basildon Crown Court.

Lahrar and Boakye will be sentenced at the same court at a date to be confirmed.

Just before 1pm on Monday, August 21 last year, Boakye and Lahrar entered an address in Eden Green, South Ockendon.

Daniel Adger was attacked by Boakye with a machete as he sat in a chair. He then ran outside calling for help while Boakye continued to attack him with the machete causing injuries to his legs, body and head.

Passers-by quickly came to his aid and attempted to dress Mr Adger’s wounds but he sadly died while being transferred to hospital.

Boakye and Lahrar drove from the scene in separate vehicles.

Extensive police investigation revealed the involvement of Boakye, Lahrar and Connal Cocker-Dawkins. CCTV showed Lahrar and Cocker-Dawkins meeting at a hotel in Grays shortly after the murder.

A huge police investigation followed which identified extensive telephone, CCTV and other evidence proving the involvement of Boakye and Lahrar in the attack and the supply of controlled drugs by Cocker-Dawkins.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Stoten, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Daniel Adger was deeply loved by his family and they miss him a great deal. His mother Diane has been present throughout the trial and has listened to evidence about her son’s suffering that no mother should have to hear.

“The evidence clearly showed that Boakye and Lahrar conspired to attack Mr Adger and worked together before, during, and after the attack.

“Mr Adger was brutally attacked in the street by Boakye, a coward who armed himself with a machete and who inflicted the several terrible wounds that led to Mr Adger’s death. He then sauntered away and left him dying at the road-side.

“I would like to thank the members of public who bravely ran to help Mr Adger, providing him help, care, and comfort in his last moments.”

The post Man found guilty of murder of Daniel Adger in South Ockendon appeared first on Your Thurrock.

BRAVE staff at a Lakeside store chased suspected thieves out of the shop as they made a getaway.

At 2.15pm on Thursday March 8th, two male members of staff were seen running out of the Debenhams entrance that leads to the Lakeside car park.

The individual (s) they were chasing got into a white car, that sped towards the exit of the car park.

But the two intrepid members of staff chased the car on foot and appeared to have retrieved some of the goods before the car left the car park and headed up towards the M25.

A police vehicle with its blue light on, arrived at the car park, picked up the two members of staff and sped off.

We asked the Essex Police press office for details regarding the incident but they could not find any trace on their computer.

The post Debenham staff chase suspected thieves out of Lakeside appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police have explained why they did not (initially) attend a 999 call from a 75-year-old woman who was concerned that men were trying to break into her house in South Ockendon.

As we reported, the elderly lady reported that she had rung Essex Police at 8pm on Saturday March 2nd after she believed two men were breaking into her Darenth Lane home.

Family members claimed it took another call from them for the police to attend. By this time it was close to 10pm.

After a few attempts, Essex Police were able to supply is with their version of events.

An Essex Police press spokesperson said: “We assessed this call, as we do with every call, to see what the most appropriate response should be based on the information given, the threat and risk of harm, as well as what other incidents are taking place across the county.

Sometimes this means making difficult decisions about what calls we’re able to send an officer to right away and which we’re not.

In this instance, as there was no suspect on scene at the time of the call, no description of a suspect, and no CCTV available, we did not dispatch an officer to the address straight away.

“Our call handler ensured the welfare of the person who made the call who said they had family nearby who they would contact.

“We had no further reports of someone trying to break into the address that evening but did receive a further call at around 9.05pm asking for police attendance and officers attended later that evening”.

This report perhaps highlights how stretched Essex Police are in Thurrock but that may not cut it with Thurrock residents receiving large increases in their council tax bills

The post Essex Police explain why it took two hours to attend 999 report by elderly lady that men were breaking into her South Ockendon home appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ARMED police swooped on Grays High Street after reports that youths were brandising firearms in the area.

An Essex Police spokespersn said: “We were called with reports a group of teenage boys were seen near The Thurrock Health Centre in High Street, Grays, at about 12.30pm on Saturday, March 10 and one had what appeared to be a firearm.

“Officers attended and carried out a search of the area.

“They stopped and searched six individuals but no weapon was found.

“Enquiries are ongoing. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact police at Grays on 101.

The post Armed police descend on Grays High Street after reports of youths win guns appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Have you seen Thomas Corcoran, who is wanted for failing to appear at court after being charged with assault?

The 26-year-old uses a number of alias names and dates of birth and his last known address was in Grays.

He has cropped brown hair and is 5ft 9ins tall.

He has links to Thurrock, Dunmow and north London.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Pc Jon Kemp at Grays local policing team on 101.

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

The post Grays man wanted for non-appearance in court appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police would like to speak to him in connection with a theft from Morrisons in Grays.

At 10.27am on Sunday, March 4, a man entered Morrisons and stole an Easter egg. He came back later and took two bottles of perfume.

When confronted by management and security, he became verbally abusive and left the supermarket in the direction of Grays High Street.

The person was described as a light-skinned mixed race 17-year-old boy, around 5ft 8ins, with a slender build.

He wore black jogging bottoms and black Nike trainers, a green camouflage parka jacket with a fur hood and a grey hooded top underneath. He was also wearing a black baseball cap.

If you have any information about this incident, please call 101 and ask to speak to Pc Sarah Truesdale at Grays police station. The reference number to quote is 42/29824/18.

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

The post Youth wanted over thefts from Morrisons in Grays appeared first on Your Thurrock.

TWO men are due to appear at court today (March 14) charged in connection with an attempted aggravated burglary.

George Wilderspin, 18, and Jay Hursham, 20, both of no fixed address, will appear before magistrates in Basildon this morning.

Both will face charges of attempted aggravated burglary in connection with an incident in Ernan Close, South Ockendon on March 12, 2018 in which the front door to a property was smashed and an unknown liquid squirted inside.

Wilderspin has also been charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty while Hursham also faces a charge of possession of class A drugs.

The post South Ockendon: Two charged over burglary where “unknown liquid” used appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police is appealing for any witnesses to a burglary in Tilbury.

Between 10pm on Wednesday, March 14, and 8am Thursday, March 15, entry was gained to the porch of a residence in Cowper Avenue.

A small black glass display table was stolen and an unknown substance was poured on the floor and through the letterbox, which was later identified as a cleaning agent by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

DC Mark Miller said: “We are keen to find whoever is responsible for this crime. The use of the cleaning agent ensures that there is little physical evidence, so any eyewitnesses are crucial. Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to call 101 and ask for Grays CID.”

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

The post Tilbury: Police launch inquiry after “unknown substance” used in burglary appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A CHADWELL WOMAN’S use of a syringe has led to her being jailed for foUr months

Paula Cavanagh, aged 51, of George Tilbury House, Chadwell St Mary pled guilty at Basildon magistrates court to a large number of offences in relation to theft.

However, she also pled guity to a public order offence. On 12/01/2018 at Tilbury used towards another, threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence would be used against him by any person, or to provoke the immediate use of unlawful violence by him whereby that person was likely to believe that such violence would be used, or it was likely that such violence would be provoked.

Cavanagh was committed to prison for a total of sixteen weeks.

The court report stated that the offence “so serious” because committed offences on suspended sentence order.

Suspended sentence was for like offence; public order offence whereby syringe was pulled out and the wording used was threatening and aggressive; aggravated by previous record of convictions.

The post Chadwell woman’s use of syringe leads to four months in prison appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A CAMPAIGN to educate parents, carers and children about the dangers of social media will re-launch this weekend.

The ‘I Didn’t Know’ Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Campaign will be launched on Sunday, March 18, for National CSE Awareness Day.

We will be working with our partners, Essex Safeguarding Children Board, Essex County Council and Southend and Thurrock Unitary authorities, to inform parents, carers and children about the potential dangers of social media and the privacy settings available on social media apps to help reduce the risk of online CSE.

For each day of the campaign, information will be published on social media using the hashtag #KnowAboutCSE, to inform parents of the steps they can take to make their child’s social media secure. We will warn children of online grooming and the potential dangers of talking to someone they don’t know online and how it can potentially lead to child sexual exploitation.

Detective Superintendent Jason Hendy, Head of Investigations for the Crime and Public Protection Unit, said:

“In over 60% of the child sexual exploitation cases we investigate, we find the victim has been targeted through social media or online. This makes the need for online safety education a priority.

“We want to reach children before they start using social media, so they’re aware of how to keep themselves safe online.”

You can support this week’s campaign by:

Talking to others and letting them know about the Essex Children’s Safeguarding Board website: www.essex.police.uk/onlinecse
Printing off resources and displaying them in public areas / training events etc.
Speaking to parents/carers, families, children and young people, and supporting them to understand where they can learn more
Sharing our content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat
All material to support this campaign, can be found by visiting: www.essex.police.uk/onlinecse

Tackling child sexual exploitation requires a commitment by all of us, so please join the campaign to help support communities in understanding CSE, how to recognise it, and what to do to get support.

The post Essex Police re-launch Child Sexual Exploitation campaign appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A TRIAL date has been set in the case of a man accused of assaulting a Thurrock councillor.

Frances Sheridan, aged 59, of Vigerons Way, Chadwell St Mary is accused of assaulting Belhus councillor Angela Sheridan in Horndon-on-the-Hill on January 27th and January 28th, 2018.

A provisional date of July 20th at Chelmsford magistrates court has been set.

Sheridan pleads not guilty.

He has been released on bail.

The post Trial date set in case of man accused of assaulting Thurrock councillor appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A man has been charged after a breakdown recovery van was stolen in Aveley.

It was stolen in Sandy Lane at about 9.30pm on Saturday, March 17, while the driver was attending a call-out.

A 44-year-old man from County Armagh was arrested in Aveley Road, Upminster, and subsequently charged with taking a vehicle without consent, three counts of assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest and drink-driving.

Kieran Magure, of Caramoyle in Keady is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court today, Monday, March 19.

The post Aveley: Man charged with stealing break down truck and police assault appeared first on Your Thurrock.

THURROCK residents are being asked to be alert to the signs of suspicious activity, in order to help prevent terrorist atrocities such as the ones the country experienced in 2017.

The latest phase of the ‘ACT – Action Counters Terrorism’ campaign launches today Tuesday, March 20, and the new head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing has used the launch of a campaign to reveal that more than a fifth of reports from the public produce intelligence which is helpful to police.

The recently appointed Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations (ACSO) for the Metropolitan Police, Neil Basu, praised the public’s willingness to ACT in response to last year’s unprecedented rise in terrorist activity, which resulted in record numbers of people contacting the police through online referral forms and the confidential hotline to report suspicious behaviour and activity.

Now he is launching the next phase of the ‘ACT –Action Counters Terrorism’ campaign, featuring a new 60-second film based on real life foiled plots, which will show examples of terrorist-related suspicious activity and behavior, as well as attack planning methodology.

A call to action will encourage the public to report suspicious behaviour and activity via the online tool (gov.uk/ACT), helping the police to prevent terrorism and save lives.

“We have been saying for some time now that communities defeat terrorism, and these figures demonstrate just how important members of the public are in the fight to keep our country safe,” says ACSO Neil Basu.

“Since the beginning of 2017 we have foiled 10 Islamist and four right wing terror plots, and there is no doubt in my mind that would have been impossible to do without relevant information from the public.”

Of the nearly 31,000 public reports to Counter Terrorism (CT) Policing during 2017, more than 6600 (21.2 per cent) resulted in useful intelligence – information which is used by UK officers to inform live investigations or help build an intelligence picture of an individual or group.

Research carried out by CT Policing suggests that while more than 80 per cent of people are motivated to report suspicious activity or behaviour, many are unclear exactly what they should be looking for.

The second phase of the ‘ACT –Action Counters Terrorism’ from CT Policing aims to educate the public about terrorist attack planning and reinforce the message that any piece of information, no matter how small, could make the difference between a lethal attack or a successful disruption.

“Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan and that creates opportunities for police and the security services to discover and stop these attacks before they happen” says ACSO Basu.

“But we need your help to exploit these opportunities, so if you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence by phone or online.

“That could be someone buying or storing chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons, or receiving deliveries for unusual items, it could be someone embracing extremist ideology, or searching for such material online.

“This new film has been made to try and help people understand recent terrorist attack-planning methods, but also to demonstrate that each report from the public can be one vital piece of a much larger picture.

“The important thing for people to remember is that no report is a waste of our time, trust your instincts and tell us if something doesn’t feel right.”

Assistant Chief Constable for Essex Police, Andy Prophet, said: “Keeping our communities safe and free from harm is a role for all of us. Chances are anything you see will probably turn out to be completely innocent but we would much rather you give us the chance to investigate to make sure.
“You will know what looks out of place where you live or work and it’s important you tell us.”

Detective Superintendent Glen Channer, head of counter terrorism for the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), said: “Everyone has a role to play in helping to prevent terrorist attacks and we are fully supporting of this national campaign which aims to encourage people to report any suspicious behaviour.

“Any information, no matter how small, could ultimately help prevent a lethal attack, so I’d ask people across our region to familiarise themselves with the signs to look out for and come forward, in confidence, to ourselves to report any concerns.”

You can report suspicious activity to the police by calling 101, or visiting the ACT website (www.gov.uk/ACT).
ENDS
Interviews

To arrange an interview with Det. Supt. Glen Channer, please contact Charlotte Parker on 01234 842 390.

To arrange an interview with ACC Andy Prophet please call the Essex Police press office on 01245 452450.

ACT Background

In March 2017, National Counter Terrorism Policing launched ACT (Action Counters Terrorism), a new branding platform which incorporates all of our counter-terrorism external campaigns to warn, inform and reassure the public.

Make Nothing Happen was the first national advertising campaign to be launched under ACT. Its objective of encouraging the public to trust their instincts to report anything they see or hear which may be terrorist related, was underpinned by the message that cooperation between the public and the police remains the greatest advantage in tackling the challenges the UK faces from terrorism. The campaign ran across radio and digital channels over six weeks (of paid for activity) backed by a national and regional media and PR plan.

2018 ACT Campaign Narrative

Communities defeat terrorism. With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. Your actions could save lives.

That’s why Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is encouraging communities across the country to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.

Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or, in an emergency, dial 999.

Some examples of suspicious activity or behaviour could potentially include:
Hiring large vehicles or similar for no obvious reasons
Buying or storing a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons
Taking notes or photos of security arrangements, or inspecting CCTV cameras in an unusual way
Looking at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or sharing and creating content that promotes or glorifies terrorism.
Someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online.
Embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology.
Possessing firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them
Holding passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reasons
Anyone who goes away travelling for long periods of time but is vague about where
Someone carrying out suspicious or unusual bank transactions

You are not wasting our time, and no call or click will be ignored. What you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.

Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. Remember, trust your instincts and ACT. Action Counters Terrorism.

2017 Reporting Statistics

A total of 22955 reports were made to Counter Terrorism Police via the Anti-Terror Hotline. Of which, 5074 resulted in useful intelligence for the police, a conversion rate of 22.1%

A total of 8029 reports were made to Counter Terrorism Police via online reporting forms at gov.uk/ACT. Of which, 1585 resulted in useful intelligence for the police, a conversion rate of 19.7%

Cumulatively, 30984 reports were made to Counter Terrorism Police in 2017, of which 6659 (21.5%) resulted in useful intelligence for the police.

The post Counter-terrorism: Thurrock residents asked to be alert to suspicious activity appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police is investigating two aggravated burglaries in Thurrock which they believe may be connected.

The first took place at an address in Anthony Drive, Stanford-le-Hope at around 9.15pm on Monday, March 19.

Three men forced their way into the property and threatened the person inside with a knife.

Cash and bank cards were taken before the men made off.

Later the same night, at around 10.10pm three men, one of them armed with a screwdriver, forced their way into an address in Myrtle Grove, South Ockendon.

They threatened the people inside before stealing a mobile phone and passports, and then drove off in the victims’ car.

Detective Sergeant Richard Dines, from Grays CID, said: “These were two very frightening incidents where the victims were threatened in their own homes.

“We believe they may be linked due to the details of each break-in and need anyone with any information to come forward.

“If you saw or heard anything in the area of either incident last night please contact us and tell us.

“I also want to speak to anyone who was driving in either area at around the time of the burglaries and has any dash cam footage.”

If you have any information please call Grays CID on 101 quoting the crime reference numbers 42/37725/18 and 42/37736/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The post Aveley and Stanford-le-Hope residents robbed in own homes during frightening attacks appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police worked with partners to safeguard 14 potential victims of modern slavery in Grays.

On Sunday, March 18, our officers from Grays Criminal Investigation Department working in partnership with the British Red Cross, officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GMLAA), Immigration and HMRC executed a warrant in Biggin Lane, Tilbury. The warrant was conducted following information gathered by officers over the past few months which suggested forced labour may be taking place.

Our officers were also supported by our Operational Support Group (OSG), two police dog and handler teams from the Dog Section and a number of Special Constables.

Following the warrant, 14 victims of modern slavery were identified and taken to a prearranged safe location. All victims were given medical treatment and provided with food and clothing. They have been rehoused by the British Red Cross in a new area.

All victims were offered the required support and the investigation remains on-going.

No suspects were arrested at the time of the warrant.

This is just one example of operational work which Essex Police does to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking.
Cristina Gavrilovic, our dedicated anti-slavery partnership co-ordinator, said: “We tackle modern slavery and human trafficking with a multi-agency approach. The victims of these crimes are forced to work for long hours without pay whilst living in sub-standard accommodation and being threatened with violence.

“It is vital that as residents of Essex, we are aware of the signs associated with these crimes and know who to report our concerns.

“Modern day slavery has no place in our society and together we can help victims like we helped following this warrant.”

For more information on how to spot the signs and how to report human trafficking and modern slavery, please call the National Modern Slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700 or visit www.essex.police.uk/beavoice.

The post Fourteen potential victims of slavery rescued from Biggin Lane in Tilbury appeared first on Your Thurrock.

2200 hrs

Statement from Essex Police

“We are appealing for information following a man’s death in Corringham.

We were contacted by the ambulance service shortly before 7.40pm today, Wednesday, March 21, with reports a man had been found injured in Queen Elizabeth Drive. He had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Sadly he died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics.

Detectives have launched a murder investigation and are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or has CCTV footage.

A section of the road and an alleyway near Dessons Court have been cordoned off while forensic examination work is carried out.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the West Major Crime Team on 101 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk

“Alternatively, please contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org”.

2030 hrs

YT has a report of a police incident in Corringham.

The emergency services have been in attendance at an incident in the Gardner Avenue area.

The air ambulance has been in attendance.

YT has requested details from Essex Police.

More will follow as it comes in.

The post Murder investigation after man stabbed to death in Corringham appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX are reissuing an appeal for information following three aggravated burglaries in the Thurrock district which officers believe may be linked.

Offences have taken place in Anthony Drive, Stanford-le-Hope, Myrtle Grove, South Ockendon and Bredle Way, Aveley. The first two incidents happened on March 19 with the third taking place on March 20.

On all three occasions a group of men who were armed have forced their way in to the properties.

The occupants of the first two houses were threatened and property was stolen. In Aveley the offenders were disturbed and fled.
Thankfully no one was injured.

On March 20 two men were arrested on suspicion of committing aggravated burglary. An 18-year-old man from Leigh and a 25-year-old man from Corringham have been released on police bail pending further enquiries until April 17.

If you have any information please call Ds Steve Robson of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The post Two arrested in connection with violent burglaries in Aveley and Stanford-le-Hope appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Detectives are seeking witnesses after a man was fatally stabbed.

Police were contacted by the ambulance service shortly before 7.40pm yesterday, Wednesday, March 21, with reports a man had been found injured in Queen Elizabeth Drive.

The 28-year-old victim, from the Corringham area, had suffered stab wounds to the leg and chest.

Sadly he died at the scene, despite the efforts of paramedics.

Detectives are treating his death as murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Stoten, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “A number of witnesses have come forward and I want to thank them for their help with our investigation.

“From our initial enquiries, it appears to be a targeted attack on the victim and we are keeping an open mind as to the motive.

“Witnesses have told us the victim was involved in a fight with another man in the street.

“The suspect is believed to have left the area in a car. I would like to hear from anyone that saw this vehicle or saw a car driving erratically in the area.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who was in Queen Elizabeth Drive between 6pm and 7pm, as any information however small could help us piece together what happened.

“I’m also keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage that could assist with our enquiries.”

Thurrock district commander Chief Inspector Richard Baxter said: “I understand the community is naturally very concerned and I have extra officers patrolling the area to provide a visible presence.

“I would urge anyone who has any concerns, or information that could assist with the investigation, to please speak to them.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the West Major Crime Team on 101 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively, please contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

The post Corringham murder: Police search for car in “targeted attack” appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A PREDATOR who posed as celebrities to target girls online and persuade them to send nude pictures of themselves has been jailed.

Mark Burrisson, 43, used Skype to contact the victims, who he did not know, and persuaded them to send him photographs and perform sexual acts.
He targeted 11 girls aged 11 to 15.

Officers from the Essex Police’s Online Investigation Team (POLIT) seized his computers in February 2016 after executing a warrant.

They found 182 indecent images and reviewed hundreds of Skype chat logs.

Burrisson, formerly of Fenton Road, in Chafford Hundred, was charged with 11 counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, 3 counts of possessing or making indecent photographs of children, 1 count of possession of prohibited images of children and 1 count of possession of extreme pornographic images.

He denied the charges and stood trial at Basildon Crown Court from March 13, 2018 to March 21, 2018.

A jury convicted him on all counts on March 21, 2018.

He was jailed on Wednesday, March 21 for a total of two years. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Investigating officer PC Nick Riley, of Essex Police’s Online Investigation Team, said: “Burrisson targeted his victims through social media and led them to believe they were talking to famous people.

“He deliberately claimed to be these people to seek out these young victims and engage them in detestable online conversations.

“He spun a web of lies, offering them tickets to music shows and claiming to be in love with them in order to obtain sexual images of these victims.

“Burrisson denied the charges, claiming he wasn’t responsible. After hearing all of the evidence, a jury unanimously found him guilty on all counts.

“This case highlights the dangers our children face in talking to people online that they do not know personally.

“I would encourage children, their parents and carers to be extremely vigilant as the other person at the other end of an online conversation are not always who they claim to be.

“My advice would be to only talk to people you physically know.

“Parents and carers can also speak to their internet providers about parental controls and safety tips.

“For help and advice, visit www.ceop.police.uk/safetycentre and www.thinkuknow.co.uk.”

The post Chafford man who posed as celebrities jailed for on-line abuse of children appeared first on Your Thurrock.