Report by PCSO: JoJo Mitchell
ONE of our priorities for a number of wards across Thurrock is the issue of nuisance off-road bikes and quads. Thurrock has been blighted by the problem at various locations where vehicles are ridden recklessly with no regard for the public. This year alone we have had incidents resulting in 1 fatality, 2 life changing injuries and 2 serious injuries. Operation Sacrifice was created to focus our resources in effected areas. We have a number of tools at our disposal such as issuing warnings and seizing vehicles.
We also work with local land owners to offer advice on how to better secure their land to prevent access to these vehicles. Many of the vehicles come from out of Thurrock and we want to make sure that all who flout the law feel unwelcome and know we are after them. The operation will continue all through the summer in a bid to deter the problem and deal with as many offences as possible.
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An example of great partnership working and information sharing led to the swift arrest of 5 people following a stabbing near Tilbury Rail Station. Minutes after the stabbing staff at the Youth Offending Service, British Transport Police and Sergeant Nick Hampson were putting their local knowledge to good effect and identified two suspects. This information was fed to officers on the Criminal Investigation Department who led the investigation.
Less than nine hours after the offence the information provided led officers from CID to an address were four males were arrested for GBH and 1 female for Perverting the Course of Justice. Numerous knives and drugs were seized and are now off the streets. The four males were all remanded in custody and await trial.
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PC Watts and PC Colbear were made aware of a van that had been stolen in Tilbury. A short time later the officers located the vehicle in Chadwell St Mary and after making some local enquiries arrested a suspect in Tilbury. The van was returned undamaged to a grateful owner and the investigation continues. Remember to always lock your vehicle when it is unattended and keep your keys in a safe place when at home. These simple steps can be the difference in being a victim of car crime and not.
A vulnerable person went missing in the Blackshots area that we had a serious concern for. PCSO’s Woolford, Williams and Mitchell arrived on scene quickly and found them a short distance away. They were taken to a place of safety where safeguarding measures could be put in place. This is another example of the day to day work we do outside of investigating crime and thankfully had a happy ending.
Thurrock CPT assisted Operation Raptor officers, which is Thurrock’s gang unit, with a warrant in Grays after gaining intelligence of a person who was believed to be dealing drugs. The address was searched and drugs and over £4,000 in cash was seized.Â
Come along to our next Local Community meeting on 19th July at 18:00 at Belmont Village Hall, Parker road, Grays RM17 5YW.
