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Several arrests for drug offences in busy night for Thurrock Police as part of Operation Spectre

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STOPS from Thurrock Police led to several arrests for drug offences as part of Operation Spectre, which looks to tackle serious violence in Essex.

As part of Operation Spectre, Essex Police ‘use stop and search powers where appropriate and knife arches to identify anyone carrying weapons or drugs’, according to their website.

Essex Operational Support Group (OSG) and Thurrock Community Policing Team (CPT) worked together for some of the stops.

Yesterday (Wednesday 22 April), Essex OSG tweeted: “#OpSceptre patrols in #Ockendon assisting @ThurrockCPT this proactive stop check led to 3 arrests for drugs offences. The driver also failed a @DrugWipeUK.”

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They also tweeted: “#OpSceptre patrols in #Thurrock assisting @ThurrockCPT @EPANPR when we located & stopped this stolen Mini. The driver also had no licence/insurance and failed a @DrugWipeUK.”

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Essex OSG added: “Following an arrest tonight, and during a custody search we located various drugs hidden in the pants of the suspect!.”

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On Tuesday (Tuesday 22 April), Essex Police OSG tweeted: “Another great vehicle stop this afternoon in #Thurrock Vehicle and driver searched and this was what was found. Room booked at Custody for the foreseeable!”

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Police seek help identifying man believed to be from Tilbury area following bicycle theft

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Port of Tilbury Police statement (25 April):

WE need your help to identify this male (pictured below) after he stole a pedal cycle from the Port of Tilbury. Crime ref: 557/20.

Police are seeking information regarding the identity of this man
Police are seeking information regarding the identity of this man

We believe the male suspect may be from Tilbury area.

The bike is described as a red ‘Carrera Subway’ similar to the one pictured. It has a rear mud guard attached.

red bike

He was carrying a ‘Vans’ rucksack.

vans bag

If you can help us with our investigation, please contact the Port Police station on 01375 846781.

Alternatively @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 or contact via the following website crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form

The post Police seek help identifying man believed to be from Tilbury area following bicycle theft appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Two arrests for drink driving among the offences as Thurrock Police are assisted by Specials over weekend

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OVER the weekend, Thurrock Town Centre Team’s were assisted by Thurrock Specials.

The team has attended multiple reports of Anti-social behaviour across, the five Town centres as-well as;

Friday

– One male arrested and charged with driving whilst under the influence of drink following a stop check in Stanford-le-hope Town Centre.

Saturday

– Five persons, reported for traffic offences

– One vehicle seized, for no insurance

– Two persons, reported for possession of cannabis

– One community resolution issued following a male urinating in-front of officers

– One community protection warning issued

– Following anti-social behaviour reports in Tilbury, a group made off from officers, they have now been identified and we will be speaking with their parents next week

– One arrest, for being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle and possession of suspected class A drug.

The post Two arrests for drink driving among the offences as Thurrock Police are assisted by Specials over weekend appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Firearms officers at disturbance in Aveley

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ESSEX Police are currently dealing with a disturbance at an address on Love Lane in Aveley.

A spokesperson said: “We were contacted shortly after midday with concerns for the welfare of a man in his 30s.

Firearms officers are in attendance as a precautionary measure and specially trained officers are attempting to engage with the man, who was inside the property.

“The road has been closed while we continue to work with our partners to ensure the situation comes to a safe conclusion.

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Driver pursued from Thurrock to Brentwood is among those arrested in busy night for Police

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IT was a busy night for Thurrock’s Local Policing Team (LPT), Dogs Section and Operation Support Group (OSG) on Monday night (27 April).

Essex Police – Thurrock said: “A van was spotted in Thurrock and failed to stop for officers. It was pursued and eventually came to a stop in Brentwood.

“The driver attempted to run off but was apprehended by officers.

“Driver arrested for failing to stop, drug driving and theft from motor vehicles.

“Following this another vehicle failed to stop in Tilbury.

“LPT were assisted once again by the Dogs Section and the driver was arrested. Contents of the vehicle are suspected stolen and our investigation is under way.

“Great work from the teams last night, these individuals probably should have followed the governments advice and stayed home!”

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Police appeal for information after man is robbed at knifepoint in Chafford Hundred

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POLICE are appealing for information after a man was robbed in Chafford Hundred.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was approached in the Armada behind Tesco, at around 3.55pm yesterday, Tuesday, 28 April.

Three men threatened him with a knife, punched him in the face several times and stole his Apple iPad and iPhone.

The group was made up of two black men, one of whom was wearing a beanie hat, and a white man, who wore a face mask. All three wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to speak to Grays CID.

You can report any information online by clicking here or by calling 101. The crime reference number to quote is 42/61049/20.

You can remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Opportunity to quiz Thurrock’s top cop in Q&A Facebook session

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Essex Police Vehicle

PEOPLE in Thurrock will have the opportunity to quiz the borough’s police commander in a live Q&A Facebook session.

Thurrock District Commander Chief Inspector Richard Melton will be live on Facebook, together with Police and Fire Commissioner Roger Hirst as they take questions on crime and policing in Thurrock.

The event will take place on Tuesday, 12 May between 7 and 8pm.

Questions and comments can be sent in advance to pfcc@essex.police.co.uk.

The post Opportunity to quiz Thurrock’s top cop in Q&A Facebook session appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Essex Police Officer numbers at a four-year high

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Essex Police

ESSEX Police have announced their officer numbers are at a four-year high.

Since January 1, 2020 alone Essex Police have received 1,210 applications from candidates wanting to join as a police constable.

Essex Police are on track to have 3,369 officers by March 2021. This includes 135 officers they are able to recruit and train supported by the Government’s national police uplift programme.

Between January and December 2019, Essex Police received 2,439 applications for police constables – a 44% increase on the previous year.

Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “We are on track to be the largest and strongest we’ve ever been and are proud that so many brave and talented people want to join us to protect and serve Essex, helping people, keeping people safe and catching criminals.

“Now more than ever, we are visible and accessible to the communities we serve, with our new Town Centre Teams and expanded Rural Engagement Team and Business Crime Unit.

“We have invested in our investigative capabilities in areas such as tackling serious violent crime and domestic abuse, and continue to focus on the issues that can cause the greatest harm

“We are proud to have such a strong team of officers and staff who are dedicated to making a difference.

“Being a police officer is a job like no other and we have some great opportunities for those who Fit the Bill and want to help make that difference.”

Essex Police have opportunities for people who feel they would #FitTheBill as a uniformed officer or detective.

Find out more about how to start your journey with Essex Police at https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/campaigns/campaigns/20192/start-your-journey-with-us/

The post Essex Police Officer numbers at a four-year high appeared first on Your Thurrock.


Grays lorry deaths: Ronan Hughes denied bail in Ireland

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Ronan Hughes is being sought by Essex Police
Ronan Hughes is being sought by Essex Police

A MAN whose extradition is being sought by Essex Police over the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese nationals has been refused bail at Dublin’s High Court, as reports the BBC.

Ronan Hughes, 40, of Leitrim, Silverstream, Tyholland, County Monaghan, was deemed a flight risk.

He observed proceedings by video link from Cloverhill Prison in Dublin.

The bodies of the 39 people were found in a lorry trailer in Grays last October after it arrived at Purfleet from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge.

Denying Mr Hughes bail, Mr Justice Paul Burns said that if bail was granted there would be a real risk of him absconding.

The bodies were discovered in the lorry in the early hours of 23 October 2019
The bodies were discovered in the lorry in the early hours of 23 October 2019

Earlier this month Maurice Robinson, 25, from Craigavon, County Armagh, pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. He will be sentenced at a later date.

On Wednesday, objecting to bail, Garda (Irish police) Sgt Jim Kirwan told the court that Robinson has told British police that he received £25,000 from Mr Hughes for his involvement in the people smuggling.

Sgt Kirwan described Mr Hughes as the ring-leader and organiser of the criminal enterprise for financial gain.

The father-of-two estimated his haulage business had a turnover of between €500,000 (£433,000) and €600,000 (£520,000), but said his business was not very profitable.

The judge said he found Mr Hughes’ claim of a lack of awareness of his financial affairs unconvincing. A further hearing will be held in Dublin on 7 May.

In November, as well as the manslaughter admissions, Robinson pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property.

Four other men will stand trial at the Old Bailey in connection with the investigation.

Another man, 22-year-old Eamonn Harrison, from Mayobridge, County Down, Northern Ireland, is appealing against his extradition from the Republic of Ireland to the UK to face charges related to the Essex lorry discovery.

The post Grays lorry deaths: Ronan Hughes denied bail in Ireland appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Essex Police urge community to be aware of internet scam targeting young and vulnerable

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ESSEX Police have sent out an alert to the community about sextortion phishing attacks where people are coerced to pay a BitCoin ransom because they have been threatened with sharing video of themselves visiting adult websites.

The force has shared information to young people and vulnerable internet users who may have been on the end of an attempted scam.

Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords.

The information is then used to access important accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.

Due to the lockdown, people are spending a lot more time at home on the computers and may be unaware of the extent of the ways in which criminals can exploit people.

These scams are made to appear all the more credible because they provide seemingly plausible technical details about how this was achieved, and the phish can sometimes also include the individual’s password.

Phishes are designed to play on people’s emotions so that they will behave in a way which is out of character, and scams such as this are no different.

The phisher is gambling that enough people will respond so that their scam is profitable; they do not know if you have a webcam, have been visiting adult websites, or the means by which you communicate with people – in short, they are guessing. The phisher hopes to emotionally trigger people so that they will ‘take the bait’ and pay the ransom.

Police say, as with other phishes, their advice is not to engage with the phisher, delete the email and report it to here.

Do not be tempted to pay the BitCoin ransom, doing so will likely encourage more scams as the phisher will know they have a ‘willing’ customer.

If the phish includes a password you still use then change it immediately, advice on how to create suitable passwords and enable other factors of authentication is available from Cyber Aware..

If you have been a victim of a sextortion scam and have paid the BitCoin ransom, then report it to Essex police force by calling 101. They will respect your privacy.

If you need emotional support this is available from charities such as Victim Support by calling 0808 168 9111 or clicking here..

The post Essex Police urge community to be aware of internet scam targeting young and vulnerable appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Twenty arrests in Thurrock during operation to disrupt criminals using roads

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TWENTY people were arrested during an operation to disrupt criminals using the roads in the Thurrock district and east London.

Our road crime unit were supported by the dog section, Special Constables and Metropolitan Police on Thursday 30 April.

The arrests included nine on suspicion of drug-driving, and a 39-year-old man from Rainham was arrested in Aveley after being found with suspected drugs and two knives in his car.

The Metropolitan Police also made arrests for offences including dangerous driving and theft of vehicles.

Officers also carried out 51 stop searches, seized 12 cars for no insurance, and recovered one stolen vehicle.

Four community resolutions and two penalty tickets were also issued for cannabis possession.

Road crime manager Matt Hine said: “So far our road policing operations with the Metropolitan Police in March and April have resulted in more than 50 arrests for a range of offences, including drugs, theft and robbery.

“We regularly carry out operations such as these alongside our every day patrols to disrupt criminals and organised crime groups who are travelling across Essex and over county borders to commit crime.

Superintendent Craig Saunders said: “Keeping people safe and catching criminals remain our top priorities and we are continuing to carry out proactive patrols to target and deal with offenders.

“We regularly work with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police and neighbouring forces to keep our communities safe by stopping criminals who travel between counties.

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Man in custody after laser is shone at police helicopter

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Essex Police

A MAN is in custody following reports a laser was shone into a police helicopter from a vehicle travelling along the M25 in Thurrock.

The 41-year-old man from Eltham, south-east London, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs and a knife and endangering an aircraft.

We received reports at around 9.40pm, Monday 4 May, that a laser had been shone from a vehicle travelling towards the Dartford Bridge.

The vehicle was stopped at the Swanley Interchange along the M25 in Kent and a passenger was arrested.

Enquiries are ongoing

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Animal lovers looking for pets in lockdown defrauded of nearly £300,000 in two months

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CRIMINALS continue to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to commit fraud.

A scam involving the purchase of pets, such as puppies and kittens, continues to be reported to Action Fraud.

So far, 669 people have lost a combined total of £282,686 in March and April, after putting down deposits for pets they have seen advertised online. The adverts that victims have responded to were posted on social media, general online selling platforms and also specific pet selling platforms.

The criminals posting these ads never have any animals to sell and will ask victims to put down a deposit for the pet to secure the purchase. They use the outbreak of COVID-19 and the current lockdown restrictions as a reason why the victim cannot come and see the animal first, or pick it up. After the initial payment more and more funds will be requested to cover insurance, vaccinations and even delivery of the pet.

Action Fraud has received reports of this scam from people all over the UK with a spike in reports occurring in April when 524 reports were recorded – more than three times the amount received in March.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said:

“The fact criminals will even exploit an international crisis, such as the one we find ourselves in now, to take innocent people’s money is especially cruel. But, unfortunately, as we spend more time online, and are forced to adapt to a new way of life, opportunities will arise for criminals to commit fraud.

“During these unprecedented times, it may seem quite plausible that you should have to pay a deposit for a pet and that you wouldn’t be able to see the animal in real life first. However, we would encourage you to think carefully before you transfer any money – do you know and trust this person?”

To help protect yourself from scams like this:

Do your research – Before purchasing anything online, including pets, look up reviews for the site, or person, you are buying from. If you’re still not sure, ask a trusted friend or family member for their advice.

Trust your instinct – If you can’t physically go to see the animal in person, ask for a video call. If the seller declines, challenge them on why. If you have any suspicions, don’t go ahead with the purchase.

Choose your payment method wisely – If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, avoid paying by bank transfer as that offers you little protection if you become a victim of fraud. Instead, use a credit card or a payment service such as PayPal.

An RSPCA spokesperson said:

“Unfortunately we’ve investigated many criminal gangs who are willing to exploit animals in order to make a quick buck and now, during this time of international crisis, they will be trying new tricks to cash in and con the public.

“We’d urge anyone thinking of getting a new pet to think long and hard about whether they can properly care for that animal, not just now but into the future when restrictions are lifted and their lifestyles become more busy. If people do decide now is the right time to get a pet, then we’d always urge them to consider adopting instead of buying an animal. We still have thousands of animals in our care at the moment and have restarted rehoming some animals in England with strict measures to keep our staff and the public safe.

“Anyone who is concerned about a breeder or seller should walk away and contact the local council and RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”

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Two men charged after £1m cocaine recovered in Tilbury drug swoop

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drugs swoop

TWO men have been charged with allegedly breaking into the London Container Terminal in Tilbury to retrieve packages of drugs.

National Crime Agency investigators were called in on Tuesday (5 May) after port workers spotted suspicious activity and reported it to port police.

Two men were later arrested by Border Force officers, who recovered around 16 kilos of cocaine from a refrigerated container which had arrived from Belize on 1 May.

The drugs would likely have had a potential street value in excess of £1 million.

After being interviewed by NCA officers, Albanian nationals Mariglen Bajraktari, aged 20 and Romario Vukzaj, aged 23, both of no fixed abode, were charged with the possession and importation of a class A drugs.

They went before Chelmsford Magistrates today (6 May) and were remanded in custody until their next appearance at Basildon Crown Court on 3 June.

NCA Branch Commander Jacque Beer said: “We always encourage port workers to alert us to any suspicious activity that they see in the course of their duties.

“I’m delighted that on this occasion their vigilance has led to the seizure of a substantial amount of cocaine.”

The post Two men charged after £1m cocaine recovered in Tilbury drug swoop appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Essex Police remind drivers that emptier roads are no excuse for speeding

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EMPTIER roads are no excuse for speeding and you cannot outrun COVID-19.

The vast majority of people in Essex are staying home to help save lives and protect the NHS which means the number of vehicles on our roads has dropped significantly.

Police want to say a massive thank you to you for doing that.

However, they have seen an increase in the number of vehicles speeding – not just on roads with the national speed limit, but also residential roads within our communities.

The number of vehicles breaking the speed limit by at least 15mph has nearly doubled.

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “Our roads are less busy at the moment as people across Essex do the right thing and stay home, only making essential journeys.

“And most people who have to use the roads are doing so safely.

“Some of those people my officers have stopped think emptier roads mean they can drive faster.

“We know this is a really difficult and challenging time for everyone, but it’s not an excuse for road users breaking the law.

“In recent weeks we’ve some drivers doing 100, 110, 120, even 130mph on our A-roads and motorways and that’s just not acceptable.

“At a time when we’re all doing our bit to protect the NHS and the emergency services, it’s really selfish to put yourself and others in danger by speeding.

“Officers will continue to be out on our roads protecting and serving Essex, keeping people safe and catching those putting lives at risk.

Sergeant Jason Dearsley, from the Stanway Roads Policing Unit, said there’s no excuse which justifies high speeds: “We recently stopped a motorist on the M11 doing 145mph.

“The explanation given to my officers was that he was desperate to put some space between himself and his family.

“These are trying times for all of us, but we ask that whatever the weather and however clear the road is you remain responsible.

“You cannot outrun COVID-19.”

Nicola Foster, Chairman of The Safer Essex Roads Partnership, said: “Thank you to most people who have to use the roads for doing so safely.

“We know that these times are extremely difficult but our individual responsibility to look out for each other on the roads has never been more important.

“Although you may not be driving as often or as far, there are many more cyclists and pedestrians on the roads at the moment. Now is the time to concentrate, more than ever before, on your driving and the road ahead.

Please, watch your speed, don’t let yourself be distracted by a mobile phone or by passengers or be tempted to use the road if you’ve been drinking or using drugs.

“Our Extra Eyes initiative is still very much functional and we encourage anyone who captures footage of poor or dangerous driving, to send it to us.

“We urge you to listen to the Government’s advice; Stay home, only make essential journeys and save lives.”

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Judge in Grays lorry deaths extradition ‘misinterpreted European arrest warrant’

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A HIGH Court judge who ordered the extradition of a lorry driver wanted in connection with the deaths of 39 people in a container in Essex misinterpreted the European Arrest Warrant framework, a court has heard.

Eamonn Harrison, 22, from Mayobridge in Co Down, Northern Ireland, is appealing against extradition from the Republic of Ireland to the UK to face charges.

He is wanted on 39 counts of manslaughter as well as charges of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act.

It is alleged that he had a role in transporting the trailer in which the bodies of eight Vietnamese women and 31 males – including two 15-year-old boys – were found in an industrial park in Grays, Essex, on October 23 last year.

He is alleged to have delivered the trailer to a Belgian port before it travelled to Britain, where it was collected from the Port of Purfleet, Essex, by Maurice Robinson, 25, from Craigavon, Co Armagh.

The bodies were discovered in the lorry in the early hours of 23 October 2019
The bodies were discovered in the lorry in the early hours of 23 October 2019

Harrison was arrested in Ireland last year on a European Arrest Warrant by detectives from the Irish police’s extradition unit, and is fighting his proposed extradition to the UK through the Irish High Court.

The High Court sought further information from UK authorities last year in relation to a number of alleged factual matters in the warrant.

His lawyers have objected to his extradition saying the original European Arrest Warrant was fundamentally defective in terms of a lack of information in relation to the allegations he faces.

Counsel for Mr Harrison, Siobhan Stack, told the court it is not alleged that he placed the migrants in the trailer or that he knew they were there, but it is alleged that he delivered the trailer to a port in Belgium before its journey to the UK.

Ms Stack said the High Court judge who ordered his extradition misinterpreted the European Arrest Warrant framework in terms of its mandatory requirements.

Mr Justice Donald Binchy ordered Harrison’s extradition to the UK in January.

Harrison has already appeared in court in Dublin and was granted leave to appeal against extradition.

He listened to the case by video link from his prison cell. He wore a black T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and glasses.

The hearing continues this afternoon.

The post Judge in Grays lorry deaths extradition ‘misinterpreted European arrest warrant’ appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Aveley: Man charged over theft of six stolen motorbikes

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Basildon Magistrates Court

A MAN has been summonsed to court to answer six charges of handling stolen goods.

Dainius Cesnulis, 35, of Hawthorn Avenue in Rainham, will appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27 July.

It follows the discovery of six stolen motorbikes in a container in Aveley in the early hours on Wednesday 22 May 2019.

The post Aveley: Man charged over theft of six stolen motorbikes appeared first on Your Thurrock.

Statement from the Lord Chancellor on the resumption of jury trials

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A WELL-functioning justice system with the Rule of Law at its heart is one of the hallmarks of a healthy democracy like ours. Throughout the coronavirus outbreak court staff and the judiciary have worked incredibly hard to uphold the delivery of justice. This is not least to ensure the safety of those who most need our courts – among others the vulnerable women and men protected by Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and children removed from dangerous situations through Child Protection Orders.

Keeping these vital services running has necessarily meant huge changes to ways of working right across the wider courts and tribunals system, including a significant increase in the take-up of remote technology.

Despite the considerable challenges, many thousands of hearings across all jurisdictions were heard over the last month.

Around 90% of those hearings utilised audio and video equipment by the end of April and 159 priority courts and tribunals have remained open for physical hearings. This was achieved at locations from Tyneside to Truro and Cardiff to Kent by following strict public safety advice, but to date has not included jury trials.

I am pleased that the courts are now in a position, with approval from Public Health England and Public Health Wales, to take some first steps towards the resumption of jury trials. A limited number of trials will take place, conducted safely and observing social distancing rules, at courts including the Old Bailey in London and at Cardiff Crown Court. These will also help us to understand how it might be possible to conduct trials more widely as the situation with coronavirus develops.

Any person who plays a part in a criminal trial – including victims, witnesses, jurors, and legal professionals – is making a huge contribution to society that is rightly recognised as an essential reason to leave their home. They have our gratitude and they deserve our protection – and measures are being put in place to support everyone who comes to court, in whatever capacity, to do so without putting themselves at unnecessary risk.

I am extremely grateful to the Lord Chief Justice, the wider judiciary, legal professions, court staff and colleagues from across the Criminal Justice System for their determination and resolve in the discussions to get us to this point. Coming together in that spirit of collaboration will ensure that justice can continue to be done in a way that is safe for all court users.

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Record number of people arrested for drug-driving

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A RECORD number of people were arrested on suspicion of drug driving last month as our officers continued protecting and serving Essex and keeping our roads safe while you stayed at home.

Officers made 266 drug driving arrests in April – the previous highest was 184 last November.
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “While the vast majority of people in Essex have been doing the right thing and staying at home, my officers have continued to be out across the county keeping the roads safe.

“There are fewer vehicles on the roads and calls to some types of crimes have reduced but officers have continued to work proactively to identify drug drivers.

“This figure also gives an indication as to the scale of drug driving in Essex.
“You could test positive for drugs in your system days after you last had them and with more than 500 officers trained to use drug wipes, you’re really likely to get caught.

“That could mean you could lose your licence, you job, your home and even kill yourself or someone else. Is the high worth the low?”

Mr Pipe added that there appears to be a link between drug driving and other forms of crime.

He said: “We’ve found that 43 percent of those arrested on suspicion of drug driving so far this year – around 300 people – have been arrested before, including in connection with crimes involving violence.

“And many of those arrested on suspicion of drug driving were also arrested on suspicion of other offences at the same time.

“This indicates there is a link between drug driving and other crime.

“And, sadly, if people are going to commit other forms of crime they are unlikely to consider your safety on the road.

“That’s why the work of my officers is so important – they’re not only keeping the roads safe for you but also disrupting other forms of crime and so keeping your communities safe too.”

Nicola Foster, Chairman of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), said: “We know these are unprecedented and challenging times for all but please remember that drug driving is not the answer.

“It is so important for everyone to look after each other and to protect our emergency services from additional pressure at this time.

“Thank you to all of our roads policing officers who remain dedicated to keeping our roads safe.”

During April there were also 86 drink drive arrests and 38 failing to provide a specimen arrests.

So far this year a total of 715 people have been arrested on suspicion of drug driving and 432 on suspicion of drink driving.

If you have any information about a drink or drug driver please call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Grays man arrested in Harlow driving a suspected stolen Audi

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A MAN was arrested in Harlow driving a suspected stolen Audi.

The 26-year-old from Grays was arrested after a car failed to stop for officers.

A black Audi Q7, believed to have been stolen from an address in Hertfordshire, was spotted by officers at around 1.50pm on Wednesday, May 6th and was abandoned in the Hollyfield area just moments later.

The man was arrested nearby in Shawbridge after officers searched the area.

He was arrested on suspicion of burglary, failing to stop when directed and dangerous driving.

He has since been released under investigation.

A spokesperson for Epping Forest Police tweeted: “Whilst on our way to a tasking we came across this vehicle that failed to stop for us in Harlow.

“Vehicle stopped and one male arrested for various offences.”

The post Grays man arrested in Harlow driving a suspected stolen Audi appeared first on Your Thurrock.

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