MEET Dot.Dorothy Com, or Dot Com to her friends, is the character at the forefront of a new online safety resource created by Essex Police and the Dot Com Children’s Foundation.

Dot Com Digital aims to prevent children becoming victims of online grooming, radicalisation, exploitation and bullying by giving them the confidence to recognise the signs and reach out to an adult for help.

Built by technology consultancy DataArt and hosted by their affiliate partner Microsoft, it also uses up to date technology to highlight to teachers children who may be at higher risk of becoming a victim of crime.

The project launched at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in Thurrock today (Wednesday, June 5) after 45 year six children from the school took part in a workshop this time last year to put forward their ideas and help create content that would appeal to their peers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron, Head of Public Protection and Jen Housego, Head of Digital Change at Essex Police, visited the school in Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon, alongside Sharon Doughty, Founder of Dot Com Children’s Foundation, and Anton Bagrov, Senior Account Executive at DataArt, to see the children using Dot Com Digital.

The pupils are among 2000 children at six schools across Essex, London, Stoke, Birmingham and North Wales who will take part in a pilot before Dot Com Digital is rolled out nationally in October.

Dot Com Digital is an enhanced online version of an education programme Dot Com Children’s Foundation has been using successfully in primary schools nationally for more than 15 years. The original programme saw children complete a series of worksheets designed to encourage them to think about their self-worth, worries and social values.

Aimed at primary school children aged nine to 11, the new digital version sees pupils take part in online safety lessons before completing their own personal digital journal.

Cartoon character Dot and her friends help children learn about risks they might encounter in the digital world and give them the chance to ask their teacher for a ‘Dot Com Minute’ to discuss any worries or concerns they might have. It also teaches children to recognise their own body signs of danger and understand their feelings and how to manage them.

Alerts highlighting children who have written or drawn material that could indicate they are at risk are automatically made available to the teacher and the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. If concerned, they are then able to share the journals with other agencies such as police and social care.

The project began in 2017 when it was identified that an innovative approach was needed to tackle online threats against young people. A partnership between Essex Police and Dot Com Children’s Foundation was created and DataArt later joined to offer their expertise. DataArt built the platform and Microsoft agreed to host the platform on its Azure Cloud at no cost. The trial is fully funded until the end of the year and training on how to use the system to its full potential will also be offered to schools at no extra cost.

Sharon Doughty, Founder of Dot Com Children’s Foundation, said: “I grew up in an abusive home where I did not have a voice. This led me 15 years ago to set up the Dot Com Children’s Foundation.

“This new development, taking a successful programme into the digital sphere, means that with the help of Dot Com, more children will be able to talk with their teachers, the police and other professionals about their online worries and are part of building a resource which will help protect them and their friends in the future.

“The children in this project were the driving force, and their continued participation is key to this unique programme.”

BJ Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, said: “Children can be among the most vulnerable in our community but sadly, it is a reality that online threats against them are increasing. This is not an issue that one single agency can tackle effectively and I am proud to be part of a partnership that is so passionate about doing all it can to protect young people.

“Dot Com Digital takes an innovative approach, using the latest technology and the imagination of a group of children to help them and their peers recognise the signs of grooming, exploitation and bullying and have the confidence to seek help.”

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ESSEX Police have arrested a man on suspicion of burglary after a vehicle was stolen from a property in Grays.

The 20-year-old from East Ham was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, June 5, and he remains in custody for questioning.

It follows a burglary in Cherry Terry Close at around 3.30am on Tuesday, June 4, where a man gained access to a property and drove off with the occupant’s car.

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ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the A127 near West Horndon.

A cyclist and a grey Fiat 500 were in collision at around 4pm on June 2 at the off-slip from the London-bound A127 at the junction with the A128.

The cyclist, a woman in her 20s, was taken to hospital but, sadly, died from her injuries.

We believed she had been travelling along the dedicated pathway alongside the A127 prior to the collision.

We need to speak to anyone who saw her in the lead up to the incident or the incident itself who we’ve not already spoken to.

The cyclist was riding a black Bianchi road racing bike and was wearing blue and white baggy shorts, white cycling shoes, and a black helmet.

If you saw anything or have dash cam footage please call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting incident 859 of June 2 or email collisonappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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ESSEX Police are investigating the death of a man in Chadwell St Mary.

Officers were called to concerns for a man inside an address in Harding Road at around 9.40am on Monday, June 3.

A spokesperson said: “When we attended we found a man inside who, sadly, had died.

“Essex Police are able to identify him as 61 year-old Paul Tidswell.

A post-mortem examination found he had injuries to his nose and the top of his head but was not able to establish how he died.

“We are treating his death as unexplained and are now trying to establish his movements to find out how he received these injuries.

Mr Tidswell was known to be in Betfred in Grays at around 12.30pm on April 26 and was then seen near to his home with facial injuries at 5pm on the same day”.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Paul was known in Betfred in Chadwell St Mary at around 12.30pm on April 26 and was then seen near to his home with facial injuries at 5pm on the same day.

“I need anyone who knows Paul, has any information about how he may have received his injuries, or saw or spoke to him between 12.30pm and 5pm on April 26 to come forward and speak to my team.”

If you have any information which can help our enquiry please call the North Major Investigation Team on 101 quoting incident 262 of June 3 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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A MAN has been charged with the murder of Trevor Cowan in Grays.

Mr Cowan, 35, was taken ill at an address in Parsonage Road on Thursday, April 18 and, sadly, later died in hospital.

Police investigations established Mr Cowan had been assaulted on the evening of April 12.

Robert Grant, 28, of Townmead Road, London SW6 had initially been arrested on April 24 and released on bail.

He was re-arrested on June 5 and has now been charged with murder

He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, June 7).

Five other men – 38 year-old David Guwazah, of Leighton Gardnes Basildon, Jamie Dowman, 34, of Raphael Avenue, Tilbury, Jamie Sheppard, 29, of Rainham Road South, Dagenham, Alfie Livett, 20, of Leighton Gardens, Tilbury, and Harry Millington, 27, of Salisbury Road, Grays – have been charged with manslaughter, two counts of assault by beating, aggravated burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place in connection with Mr Cowan’s death.

They are all next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on June 26.

Two other men arrested have been released on bail until the same date.

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ESSEX Police are aware of a video circulating on social media which appears to show an assault on a teenage girl in Aveley.

A spokesperson said: “We are actively making enquiries to locate and speak to the people shown in the video.

“We thank members of the public for sharing their concerns with us and, in the interest of safeguarding the young victim, would ask members of the public to refrain from sharing the video.

“Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Thurrock Community Policing team on 101.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111”.

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A MAN has been summonsed to appear at court in connection with an attempted armed robbery in Tilbury.

George Wilderspin, 19, of no fixed address, is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 4, for attempted robbery and possession of a knife.

It follows a report at around 8.50pm on Sunday, November 25, 2018, that a man armed with a knife threatened a woman and attempted to take her car.

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Wheel clamping victims to receive compensation after successful proceeds of crime case

CONVICTED fraudsters who ran a rogue wheel clamping business have been ordered to pay more than £17,000 in compensation to their victims following a successful proceeds of crime case by Thurrock Council.

John Challinor, 57, of Albert Street, Harwich, and Edward Blundell, 78, of Coles Oak Lane, Dedham, were convicted of fraudulent trading in May 2016 for their part in running an unscrupulous company which clamped cars, vans and lorries across Thurrock.

The company illegally clamped vehicles on the public highway and at night, as well as operating bogus charges to cancel tow truck bookings. They also used aggressive tactics such as the threat of crushing cars if payments were not made.

The pair were both sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, while two other men also received suspended prison sentences for blackmail.

A Proceeds of Crime Act case at Basildon Crown Court last Tuesday (28 May) heard Challinor had earned £472,635.20 from his part in the scam, with the amount he had available declared to be £78,000.

A confiscation order was made for £78,000, with £17,052.30 of the total to be paid as compensation to the victims.

The court heard Blundell made £472,563.70 from the fraudulent trading and had £1,500 available, with a confiscation order made for £1,500.

He was also ordered to pay £500 costs and warned that he will brought back to court if evidence emerges that he has any other assets.

Cllr Shane Hebb, Deputy Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “This case dates back a number of years now and the initial prosecution involved a great deal of partnership working involving both National Trading Standards’ Tri-Regional Investigation Team and the police.

“I am delighted that, thanks to the hard work of the council, compensation has now been secured for the victims of this scam.

“This case should serve as a clear warning that we will not tolerate those who break the law and exploit people to line their own pockets.

“We will continue to use all of the powers available to us to tackle fraud and protect our residents and businesses.”

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ESSEX Police is appealing for information after a woman was sexually assaulted at the Lakeside Shopping Centre.

It was reported two teenage boys had assaulted a woman near to an ice cream van at around 2.50pm on June 2.

Two 14 year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and released on bail until June 30.

If you saw or heard anything or have any information please call on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/86555/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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ESSEX Police are looking to talk to Ian Wiltshire, 64, in connection with a malicious communications investigation.

Their appeal follows reports on Sunday, June 2, that comments were posted online that were intent to stir up religious hatred.

Wiltshire has links to Berkshire, Wiltshire and the Thames Valley area of London.

He was last known to have a grey beard and wears glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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A 19-year-old man who sent explicit Instagram messages to two 12-year-old girls has been sentenced to imprisonment at a Youth Offenders’ institution.

Mohammed Keerpah first followed one of the victims on the social networking site on March 2 this year. He immediately began sending her inappropriate comments and photos.

The same day, he sent a photo of himself performing a sexual act on himself to a second girl. He attempted to coerce her to send intimate photos of herself and, when she refused, video-called her and continued the act.

Keerpah was arrested at a park in Grays on Sunday, March 3, after arranging to meet one of the girls. Following a search, it was discovered that he had condoms in his wallet.

He was remanded in custody and pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and one of meeting a child following sexual grooming at Basildon Crown Court on May 2.

He was sentenced to 27 months on Monday, June 10, and will serve 10 years on the sex offender’s register. Halfway through his sentence, Keerpah will be deported.

Investigating officer, PC Charlotte Taylor-Stevens, of the West Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Keerpah selected these girls carefully on Instagram and, despite their repeated protests, continued to bombard them with inappropriate comments, videos and photos.

“I hope that this sentence will give the girls some peace, and means that they can start moving on with their lives.”

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FOUR men will appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court this morning, Thursday June 13, having been charged with drugs offences following dawn raids in Brentwood yesterday.

Warren Ryan, 42, of Coal Court, Grays has been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled drug.

Thomas Kemp, 33, of Clarence Road in Pilgrims Hatch has been charged with two counts of supplying a controlled drug.

They will be joined by 23-year-old Jon Maughan, of no fixed address, who has been charged with four counts of supplying a controlled drug and one count of offering to supply cocaine.

A second 23-year-old man, Dennie Jones of Shortlands Avenue in Ongar, has been charged with four counts of supplying a controlled drug and one count of offering to supply cannabis.

The other 14 people arrested in yesterday’s operation have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

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ESSEX Police has released this e-fit following an attempted robbery in West Thurrock on Monday, June 10.

A 17-year-old girl was leaving intu Lakeside shopping centre when she was approached close to McDonalds and the Upside Down House attraction at around 10.10pm.

The suspect attempted to take her phone and the victim bravely fought back before he ran off.

He is described as being aged in his late teens, around 6ft, of a skinny build. The victim reported that he had dark brown hair, pointy shaped eyes and wore a grey tracksuit top and bottoms.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/91168/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Landlord and managing agents fined over terrible condition of shared house in Grays

ROGUE landlords and their managing agent have been fined a total of almost £5,000 after forcing their tenants to live in unacceptable conditions in a shared house in Grays.

Devinder Singh Rai and Sohan Singh Rai, both of Upney Lane, Barking, were found guilty of failing to return information about a house in multiple occupation (HMO) and failing to maintain the property in good repair when they appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (13 June).

Managing agent Ashford of Essex Limited, of High Road, Goodmayes, and its company directors Akhtar Latif and Mohammed Mobeen Mian Imtiaz were also found guilty.

The court heard that Thurrock Council found 25 offences under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 when they visited the shared house in Boscombe Avenue, Grays, in June last year.

The property contained five bedrooms, with unrelated occupants sharing a single kitchen, bathroom and WC. Among the issues identified were cables trailing along a front path, a water damaged and split ceiling, a poorly secured front door, broken kitchen units, damp and non-working gas boiler and cooker.

Basic information and documents were subsequently requested by the council as part of its investigation, but they were not provided.

Devinder Singh Rai and Sohan Singh Rai were each fined £850 and ordered to pay £790 costs and a £40 victim surcharge. Ashford of Essex Limited was fined £2,380 and ordered to pay £790 costs and a £40 victim surcharge, while Latif and Imtiaz were each fined £400 and told to pay £315 costs and a £70 victim surcharge.

Cllr Barry Johnson, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for Housing, said: “We believe everyone should have a good quality and safe place to live.

“This case is another reminder that we will not tolerate irresponsible landlords who fail to provide acceptable living conditions and have poor management arrangements in place.

“We have introduced a new additional licensing scheme in certain parts of the borough this month to tighten regulations around shared homes even further.”

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ESSEX Police recovered three cars after carrying out search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into a string of vehicle thefts.

The vehicle, which they believe are stolen, were found during searches of a number of addresses in Thurrock, Southend and London on Monday, June 17.

Six men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal as part of an ongoing investigation into vehicle thefts in south and west Essex.

Two 26-year-olds and a 37-year-old from Tilbury, two aged 19 and 23 from Grays, and a 37-year-old from South Ockendon have been released on bail until July 12.

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ESSEX Police are reissuing our appeal to find 20-year-old Carlito Hall who is wanted for breaching a gang injunction, harassment and a public order offence.

Hall, of Lewis Avenue in Walthamstow, is known for his involvement in the Thurrock-based C17 gang.

An injunction was served on members of the gang last year following reports of drug dealing, violence and anti-social behaviour across the west of the county.

Hall, who frequents Tilbury, is also known under the names of K Lizz, Jheno and KK, and uses the surnames Krueger or Carlos Hall.

He is described as being 6ft tall, of slim build, and has a thin moustache.

Anyone with information about Hall’s whereabouts is asked to call us on 101 or Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a five-figure sum of tools in Lakeside.

Between £10,000 and £15,000 worth of tools were taken from a silver Vauxhall van as it was parked outside Ikea in Heron Way on Saturday 8 June.

It is believed that the theft occurred between 10am and 12pm that day.

Anyone with information about this incident, or who may have had dash cam footage activated in the car park between these times, is asked to call us on 101.

The crime reference number to quote is 42/89821/19.

You can also speak to Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or submit a report through their website.

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By Local Democracy Reporter
Piers Meyler

HUMAN rights campaigners have hit out at Essex Police after new figures revealed how the force is increasingly using spit guards including on children –the youngest being 15 years old.

Figures from Essex Police have shown spit guards have been used increasingly more frequently.

The controversial hoods are used to prevent suspects from spitting or biting and are pulled down over the person’s head.

They were introduced by the force in a bid to protect officers and members of the public from being infected with deadly diseases.

But civil liberties group Liberty branded use of the hoods “traumatic”.

There have been 138 incidents in which the hoods have been used since April 2018.

Specifically in 2018 there were 68 incidents of spit guards being used, but in just the first three months of 2019, spit guards were used 70 times.

It means in the three months of 2019 the technique has already been used more that it was for the period April to December 2018.

Rosalind Comyn, policy and campaigns officer at Liberty, said: “Being hooded is a traumatic experience which poses serious risks to people’s rights.

“It is deeply concerning to see these degrading devices being rolled out, often justified by exaggerated or incorrect claims about officers’ health, with little regard for the damage they may do to the people they are used against.”

At the announcement of the guards being rolled out in June 2017, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “Being spat on – with saliva and sometimes with blood too – isn’t just unpleasant.

“It risks contracting illness or disease or at the very least worry and stress that they (officers) might. I want officers out there keeping Essex safe, not sitting in a GP surgery scared for their wellbeing.

“I trust my officers to carry items of protective equipment like tasers, batons and in some cases firearms. I trust them to use that equipment professionally and there is no place in policing for people who do not do so.

“The decision to use these lightweight mesh guards will protect our protectors and allow police officers to do their work more safely with less need to restrain with force people taken into police custody.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Sadly being spat at is a reality for our officers.

“Just this weekend one of our officers, whilst performing their duty, was spat at and bitten.

“Our officers are dealing with incidents 24 hours a day, every day of the year and it is essential that we provide our officers with the means to protect themselves and spit guards are one of the pieces of equipment that we provide to do this.

“Being spat on isn’t just unpleasant but it risks our officers contracting an illness or disease or, at the very least causes additional stress and worry.
We introduced a new piece of kit the lightweight mesh spit guards as standard protective equipment for our officers.

“Recent figures show that since training began in spit guard use in April 2018, we only used them just 56 times in first eight months – just seven times a month.

“We trust our officers to carry a variety of equipment to protect themselves such as batons and Tasers, making sure we train them in their use.
Spit guards are just another item to help them carry out their duty and ultimately keep us safe.”

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A WOMAN has been jailed for 20 weeks and disqualified from driving following an incident in Grays.

Jolanta Stabinge, 36, of McLeod Close, was remanded to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 22 June, where she pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. She has been jailed for 20 weeks, disqualified from driving for 63 months, and fined £115.

Stabinge was pulled over at around 11.30pm on Thursday 20 June in Lodge Lane. After suspecting Stabinge, who was driving the car, smelt of alcohol, she was breathalysed and was found to be five times over the limit.

She was taken into custody, and it was discovered that she was already serving a driving ban from a previous incident, and that the car she had been driving was uninsured.

Matt Hine, Road Crime Manager for Safer Essex Roads, said: “Stabinge got into her vehicle while under the influence, putting herself and other road users in danger.

“She has shown a complete disregard for the law and has now been jailed for another drink driving offence.

“There are simply no excuses for drink driving. I’d like to remind road users to #DriveSafeDriveSober this summer.”

We urge anyone with information about a drink and drug driving to call us on 101. Please call us on 999 in an emergency situation.

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A SEVENTH man has been charged in connection with the death of Trevor Cowan in Grays.

Mr Cowan, 35, was taken ill at an address in Parsonage Road on Thursday, April 18 and, sadly, later died in hospital.

Our investigations have established Mr Cowan had been assaulted on the evening of April 12.

Stephen Moloney, 46, of Crow Lane, Romford, was originally arrested on Wednesday 29 May and released on bail.

He was re-arrested yesterday (Monday 24 June) and has been charged with murder, aggravated burglary with intent, and two counts of assault by beating.

He is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court today.

Six other men charged in connection with Mr Cowan’s death are due to appear at Basildon Crown Court tomorrow.

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