Police arrested 11 people and executed four warrants on Wednesday, across Thurrock as part of a day of action to crack down on drugs, burglary and crime.
A warrant executed in Tasmania House, Tilbury, uncovered drugs paraphernalia. No one has been arrested. Also in Tilbury, a warrant was executed at Freemantle House but nothing was found.
As part of the day of action, a warrant was also executed today, March 17, at an address in St Margaret’s Avenue, Stanford-le Hope. A hydroponics set up was discovered, with around 215 cannabis plants. A 31-year-old woman from Stanford-le-Hope was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and cultivation of cannabis. She has been released on police bail, pending further enquires.
Sgt Paul Costin, who arranged the day of action said: “I am extremely pleased with the amount of disruption we have caused to anyone who wishes to commit crime in this area. Officers were also out on patrol across the whole division, delivering crime prevention advice to residents to ensure they work in partnership with us to stop crime, particularly burglary.
“If you heed our crime prevention advice, particularly double locking uPVC doors and hiding car and door keys in a safe place, then together we can make sure would-be criminals don’t have a chance in Basildon and Thurrock.”
Road stop check points were set up across the area to stop people travelling to the area to commit burglary and other crime. More than 190 stop checks were carried out, with 11 of these being searched, three vehicles were seized and 14 people were reported for traffic related offences such as no insurance, driving without a seatbelt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.
In a checkpoint in Christchurch Road, Tilbury, a 19-year-old man from Tilbury was arrested on suspicion of various offences. He was later charged with using a motor vehicle without insurance, driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence, taking a motor vehicle without consent and driving without due care and attention. He has been released on bail before his appearance at Basildon Magistrates’ Court later this month.
A second person, a 24-year-old man from Tilbury, was also arrested at this checkpoint on suspicion of failing to stop for police and driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence. He was released on police bail.
Also at a checkpoint in Tilbury, a traffic officer stopped a car and arrested a 21-year-old man from Tilbury on suspicion of theft in relation to an incident at BP Roundacre, Basildon. He was given a fixed penalty notice for the offence.
South Western divisional commander, Chief Supt Glenn Caton, added: “My officers have focused their efforts across the whole area today as part of the countywide crackdown Operation Girton, on burglary, drugs and theft.
“These offences cause misery to their victims, and drugs supply and use fuels the reason why people burgle and steal. It will not be tolerated in this area, and we will continue to target those we believe are responsible every day until justice for our residents is served.”
Nice one Essex Police! It should be done more often to catch these people who couldn’t care less about our laws. If you haven’t done anything wrong there’s nothing to worry about.
This is a good move by Essex Police and I sincerely hope that those who have been charged get appropraite sentences from the courts otherwise this will all have been a complete waste of the Police’s time and money.
Well done to the boys in blue and lets see more of this and on a more regular basis. tax and insurance is not cheep for any of us but why should some think that they can just do as they please and potentially put all our lives at risk.
Law abiding citizens go to work and their homes are their castles yet these yobs think they have every right to break in and help themselves. i agree with Lambo – prosecute and see it through, probably the same old yobs anyway.