TODAY, Thursday 30 July, marks this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. 

The following statement is by Essex Police.

Here at Essex Police we work to prevent these crimes from happening by identifying organised crime groups who are exploiting vulnerable people and arranging their transport into the country, or into the county, but we need your help too. 

We need you to help spot the signs of human trafficking and modern slavery and report it to us. 

Victims who are trafficked are threatened with violence, deception or coercion. Once they have been moved to their new location, which can be anything from a cannabis farm to a nail bar, a fruit-picking farm to a brothel, or a restaurant or car wash, textile factory or construction site, delivering food or parcels to your door, they will be forced to work for little or no pay and often kept in appalling conditions. 

Since our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit was launched last year, we’ve safeguarded 26 victims of modern slavery with the help of our partners in Justice and Care, many of whom were moved around counties or across the country to be exploited. 

We’re urging the public of Essex to report any suspicious behaviour at a business or service you’re using, or a premises you live or work nearby. This includes a heavy security presence at sites, barred windows on buildings and lack of community engagement from workers. If you report it to us, we can safeguard anyone who may be suffering. 

Airports, ports, bus and train stations are also crucial for spotting if someone is being trafficked. Look after each other and check in with anyone who looks lost or confused, withdrawn, shows signs of physical or emotional neglect or abuse, or if groups of people are collected from these areas very early in the morning or very late at night by similar vehicles or by the same people. 

If you are reading this as a victim of modern slavery and human trafficking, please know that we can support you and keep you safe. We will listen to your story and break the cycle of exploitation and abuse.

Always call 999 in an emergency, but you can also report through our website or by calling 101. If you’d like to remain anonymous then call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

The confidential Modern Slavery Helpline, which is open 24/7 and has access to interpreting services in a variety of languages, can be called to get help, report a suspicion or get advice by ringing 08000 121 700. 

For more information, you can visit our website here: https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/campaigns/campaigns/20192/human-trafficking/

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TWO men are due to appear in court in October to faces charges in connection with a robbery in South Ockendon.

It was reported a 17 year-old boy was threatened with a knife and had his mobile phone and a small amount of money taken in Rosemary Road on 20 January 2019.

Four people were arrested at the time.

Two of them – 20 year-old Melvin Bautista, of Tunmarsh Lane, London E13 and 19 year-old Abid Ahmed, of Wells Park Road, London SE26 – have now been summonsed to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on 8 August.

Bautista is due to face charges of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon while Ahmed is due to face charges of robbery and possession of a knife, blade or pointed article in a public place.

The two other people arrested had previously been told they face no further action.

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THE number of rape convictions in England and Wales has fallen to a record low, BBC News has learned.

In 2019-20, 1,439 suspects in cases where a rape had been alleged were convicted of rape or another crime – half the number three years ago.

The number of completed prosecutions in “rape-flagged” cases was also the lowest since tracking began in 2009.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was “working hard to reverse the trend” and it was a “major focus”.

It has announced a “five-year blueprint” to reduce the “gap” between reported cases of sexual violence and those which come to court.

The initiative involves improved working between CPS lawyers and police, “fully resourcing” specialist units for the prosecution of rape and sexual offences and “clear, proportionate” legal advice to investigators so they can focus on “reasonable lines of enquiry”.

Why are rape prosecutions falling?

Max Hill QC, the director of public prosecutions, said: “It is clear that more needs to be done both to encourage victims to come forward with confidence, and to support them through the criminal justice process so the gap between reports of rape and cases that reach the courts can be closed.”

The CPS began closely tracking details of rape cases in 2009-10 as part of its “violence against women and girls” strategy.

That year, 2,270 suspects in “rape-flagged” cases admitted an offence or were found guilty after a trial.

The number fluctuated between 2,300 and 2,600, before reaching a high of 2,991 in 2016-17 – but it has fallen sharply since then.

Overall prosecutions – which include those that end in an acquittal – also peaked in 2016-17, with 5,190 completed cases – but dropped to 2,102 last year.

Harriet Wistrich, founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said: “Potentially it is sending out a message that rape is de-criminalised, virtually. It is very unlikely that it will ever be prosecuted, particularly in cases where there is intoxication. What does that tell men who are determined to rape?

Other figures, seen by the BBC, suggest the decline in rape prosecutions may have deterred some police from submitting cases for charging decisions.
Informed sources claimed some investigators were frustrated that growing numbers of rape cases they had worked on were not resulting in a prosecution and were more selective about which ones they sent forward for a charging decision.

In 2019-20, the police referred 2,747 cases to the CPS, a reduction of 40% in three years and the lowest number since the figures were first published in 2014-15.

Ms Wistrich said: “We have heard anecdotally, police won’t refer a case where there isn’t a huge amount of corroborating evidence where there is a dispute as to consent.”

It is also taking longer for suspects to be charged, with the average time from a case initially being referred to the CPS to a decision to charge up from 53 days in 2015-16 to 145 days in 2019-20, which is almost five months.

The period does not include the time spent investigating the case prior to referral nor the time between someone being charged and tried.
Previously, the delays have been partly blamed on the volume of digital evidence, particularly from smart-phones, that detectives have to trawl through.

The CPS said the drop in rape prosecutions was “a major focus” of its work and it had been “working hard to reverse the trend we’ve seen in recent years”.

“It is early days, but there are encouraging signs with a steady increase in both the proportion and number of cases charged,” a spokesperson said. “If our legal test is met, we always seek to prosecute.”

The CPS added that due to the time it takes to investigate and prosecute a case any changes may take some time to be seen in the data.

A joint statement from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s leads for rape, domestic abuse and charging said the fall in the number of convictions was “very concerning for us”.

It said there were a number of reasons behind the drop in referrals, many due to changes in the way forces operate.

“Over recent years we have worked hard with the CPS to streamline the process and have introduced local ‘gatekeepers’ who can test evidence and give investigators advice, helping to improve cases, without the necessity for a referral,” the statement said.

“However, we are hearing from our officers that it is becoming harder to achieve the standard of evidence required to charge a suspect and get a case into court. Victims tell us clearly how important it is to them to have the evidence tested in this way.

“Investigators are working incredibly hard to try and reach that standard, but in some occasions when they are unable to do so they are taking local decisions through gatekeepers and supervisors.”

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ESSEX Police are currently on scene at Alexandra Lake, Thurrock following reports of a missing person. 

They were called at around 8.50pm to reports that a teenager had gone missing in the lake. 

They are continuing our search with the help of the Fire Service and ask that you please avoid the area.

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AN EAST Tilbury man has been fined for possession of martial arts weapons and drink-driving.

Paul Roff, aged 53, of Queen Mary Avenue, East Tilbury pleaded guilty to the following.

On 29/02/2020 at Tilbury without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had with you in a public place, namely Coronation Avenue, an offensive weapon, namely a pair of nunchucks.

On 29/02/2020 at Tilbury drove a motor vehicle, on a road, namely Coronation Avenue, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.

Community order made. Unpaid Work Requirement: Carry out unpaid work for 180 hours within the next twelve months.

He was fined £105.00

Disqualified from driving for two years.

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A COUPLE from Harlow have been charged with a number of drug offences in Thurrock.

Hayley Cleasby, aged 39, of Dunstalls, Harlow and Steven Martin, aged 39 (same address) have been charged with the following.

On 25/01/2019 at Grays produced a quantity of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

On 25/01/2019 at Grays were concerned in the supplying of a quantity of Cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

The case has been adjourned to 10/09/2020 at Basildon Magistrates Court.

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TILBURY: Wanted man Ahmed Bakr

Can you help Essex Police find Ahmed Bakr who want to speak to him for failing to correctly notify them of his address.

The 25 year-old, who also goes by the name Hani Sayed, is described as 5ft 10ins tall, of large build, with short dark hair and a dark beard.

While he has links to the Tilbury they believe he may be in the Croydon area.

If you have seen him or have any information about where he is please call on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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ESSEX Police are appealing for information after a man reported being struck by a cricket bat during an assault in Grays.

They are investigating reports the victim, a man in his 20s, was attacked in an address in Windsor Avenue at around 8.30pm on Tuesday 28 July.

He reported being hit on the head and to the arm and may have lost consciousness.

The suspect has been described as being Asian, aged in his late teens or early 20s, 5’4, of a skinny build and had short black hair. 

He was clean shaven and the cricket bat used in the attack had a blue handle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting crime 42/113458/20 or you can visit www.essex.police.uk.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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TWO men have been charged with attempting to rob a man of a £900.00 coat.

Hannad Awazeh David Lee Point, aged 22, of Leather Gardens, Stratford and Kehmar Levi Ottey, aged 19, of Crampton Street, London have been charged with the following.

On September 15th, 2019 at Chafford Hundred railway Station, you did attempt to rob another of a Canada Goose Coat to the value of £900.00

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Statement from Essex Police

WE have put a dispersal order in place for 48 hours following concerns about an unauthorised event in Tilbury.

The dispersal order will run from noon today, Friday 7 August, until noon Sunday 9 August and it will cover two areas.

The first area includes Tilbury train station and this includes a small residential area that includes Lansdowne Road, Adelaide Road and the surrounding area shown in the map.

The second area includes a residential area and playing field within the following roads – Fort Road, Kipling Road across to Feenan Highway, Feenan Highway at the junction of Brennan Road and Brennan Road at the junction of Fort Road.

The dispersal order has been put in place following a large gathering in Lansdowne Road on Wednesday 29 July. 

We have information to suggest a second event is being advertised.

As a result of that disturbance, we issued community protection warnings to a 36-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both from Tilbury.

Inspector Paul Austin, of Grays Local Policing Team, said: “Following concerns about a second large gathering in this area, we’ve been quick to secure dispersal order powers that will allow us to move people away.

“There will be an increase in officers in this area so we can enforce these powers if necessary.

“We believe the majority of people involved in last week’s disturbance travelled from London by train and we will clearly be visible to anyone arriving in Tilbury.

“The message is clear, if you’re coming into our communities to cause anti-social behaviour, you’ll be dealt with.”

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HAVE you seen 15-year-old Chelsea Slade from Purfleet, who has been reported missing?

Chelsea is around 4ft 2ins tall, has shoulder length brown hair and wears glasses.

She was last seen around 2.30pm this afternoon, Sunday 9 August, and was said to be wearing black leggings, a grey crop top, but could now be wearing a blue top and possibly pink flipflops.

She is known to sometimes visit the Romford area too.

We’re worried about Chelsea, and so are her family, and want to find her to make sure she is okay.

If you have seen her, or have any information about where she is, please call us on 101.

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A GRAYS man has pleaded guilty to stealing from a pre-school.

Danny Wilson, aged 32, of Heathview Gardens, Grays pleaded guilty to the following at Basildon magistrates court.

Between 01/01/2019 and 02/03/2020 at Basildon stole cash, to the value of £440, belonging to Munchkins Pre School Nursery

Wilson was fined £650.00 and required to do 120 hours of unpaid community work.

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ESSEX Police are appealing for information about a robbery in Grays after four men got into the victim’s car and assaulted him.

The victim reported that at around 12.50am on Sunday 19 July, he paid for food at ESSO petrol station in Stanford Road and got into his car.

Four men then got into the vehicle and demanded that he drive around the corner before assaulting him and taking his black Samsung mobile phone, a three-figure sum in cash and a debit card.

The first suspect has been described as being black, aged in his mid-20s, of as skinny build, between 5’6 and 5’8 and had short black hair.

He was clean shaven and was wearing a navy blue hooded top with a white stripe on the arms and a hood, black bottoms and black trainers.

The second suspect is described as being white, aged in his mid to late 30s, of a stocky build, 5’8 and had short blond hair and light stubble on his face.  

The victim described him as having a ‘squarish face’ and he wore a black zip-up jacket, black bottoms and black trainers.

The third suspect is described as being white, aged in his mid-20s, of a skinny build, 5’8 and had dark hair and a clean shaven face. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood over his head, black bottoms and black trainers.

The fourth suspect is described as white, aged in his mid-20s, of a skinny build, 5’8 and had dark hair.

He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood over his head, black bottoms and black trainers.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/107388/20 or visit www.essex.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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ESSEX Police is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in Grays.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called to concerns for a man at an address in Seabrooke Rise, Grays shortly after 12.35pm today (Thursday 13 August).

“We attended and, sadly, a man was pronounced dead.

“His death is being treated as unexplained and our enquiries are ongoing”.​

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ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in Grays earlier today, Friday 14 August.

They were called shortly after 9.10am with concerns for a man who was seen being assaulted and pushed into a white Audi A6 in Long Lane.

Officers carried out a search of the area and found the car and victim in Richmond Road. A man was found with injuries which required hospital treatment.

Three men aged 35, 45 and 46 of no fixed address were arrested on suspicion of kidnap.

A 41-year-old woman from Grays was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer.

They remain in custody for questioning.

Enquiries remain ongoing and we’d like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who saw anything suspicious or has any video or dashcam footage.

Please call Grays CID on 101 quoting incident 275 of 14 August or report online at https://www.essex.police.uk

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org.

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THREE men have been charged with kidnapping a man in Grays on Friday 14 August.

We were called shortly after 9.10am with concerns for a man who was seen being assaulted and pushed into a white Audi A6 in Long Lane.

Albinas Vidzikauskas, 46, Dalius Pranskevicius, 35, and Arturas Sakocius, 45, all of no fixed address, have been charged with kidnap.

They are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 17 August.

A 41-year-old woman from Grays was arrested on suspicion of kidnap, assisting an offender and possession of firearms offences. She has been released on bail until 10 September.

Enquiries remain ongoing and any witnesses who have yet to come forward are asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting reference 42/126291/20 or report online at https://www.essex.police.uk

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org

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ESSEX Police are investigating an assault on a man in St John’s Way, Corringham, and are looking to speak to witnesses who have yet to come forward.

The 42-year-old was attacked near Selekt Chicken by a group of people at 8.20pm on Friday 14 August. He suffered a fractured nose and a spinal injury and is recovering at home. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The suspects, described as a group of teenagers, are believed to have left the scene in a silver car.

Officers have been progressing their investigation, including speaking to residents and witnesses, reviewing CCTV and carrying out forensic examinations of the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting reference 42/126641/20 or report online at https://www.essex.police.uk

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org

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ESSEX Police would like to identify these men following reports a man was stabbed in Grays.

They received reports just before midnight on Thursday 30 July that the victim and his friends were walking in High Street when they were approached from behind.

There was then an altercation and the victim, who is aged in his 40s, suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and arm.

He was taken to hospital for his injuries and the suspects fled the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/114832/20 or you can report information by visiting www.essex.police.uk.

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

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AVELEY Neighbourhood Watch Meeting. Full details on poster.

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THE owners of a skip hire business face prosecution from the Environment Agency following a joint official inspection visit last week. 

Thurrock Council Environmental Enforcement team joined colleagues from the Environment Agency, Metropolitan Police and HM Revenue and Customs for an official inspection visit to a site in South Ockendon which was suspected of being used to illegally process waste.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: “This is another excellent example of Thurrock Council working with partners to stop unauthorised activity taking place in our borough.

“A vehicle was seized by HMRC and the site owners now face prosecution by the Environment Agency. Our officers will continue to investigate possible waste transfer offences which may have taken place at the site.

“We take matters like this extremely seriously and will use every means within our power to ensure irresponsible businesses face the full force of the law.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “This should serve as a warning to those who would flout the law that we and our partners are still fighting to put a stop to waste crime and we won’t hesitate to take action.

“Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity is reminded to report it to our 24-hour hotline by calling 0800 80 70 60, or anonymously, contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The official inspection visit took place on Friday 14 August.

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