Latest news with #EssexPolice
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Thousands of speeding drivers caught on Essex roads in three-month period
THOUSANDS of speeding drivers have been caught on Essex's roads over the past three month, fresh figures reveal Between April and June of this year, Essex Police caught 6,914 drivers exceeding the speed limit across the county. The figures are the result of force-wide action supported by civilian speed enforcement officers and specialist teams. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Between April and June, our Roads Policing Unit, supported by our civilian speed enforcement officers and other specialist teams, have carried out road checks across Essex. "These checks took place in towns and villages to improve the safety of our road network and focussed on areas where speeding and collisions are more likely to take place. "In just three months, 6,914 drivers were caught speeding. That's 1,692 in April, 2,504 in May, and 2,718 in June. "Speeding is one of the contributing factors to fatal collisions. Even a small increase in speed can lead to longer stopping distances and if you are involved in a crash, more serious injuries. "In the same three-month period between April and June, we also recorded 7,602 road offences. These include driving under the influence, careless or dangerous driving, and MOT or insurance violations. "Each of these offences carries serious consequences from fines and penalty points to, in some cases, imprisonment. "People living in these areas have welcomed the extra checks. Many say it makes them feel safer." The force has warned that enforcement and road safety checks will continue across Essex throughout the summer months as part of Vision Zero, a joint project with road safety partners to have no fatal collisions by 2040 or sooner.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Peaceful protest outside Epping asylum hotel
A peaceful protest has taken place outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping. Essex Police said a group of people protesting against The Bell Hotel in Epping formed at about 6pm on Thursday. Officers then facilitated a march in the town's High Street, by the same group, and no arrests were made. Multiple demonstrations have been held outside The Bell Hotel since July 13 after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who was charged with sexual assault, denies the charges. He is due to stand trial in August. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'The calm and peaceful nature of tonight's protest meant that we have not arrested anyone during the march, and I want to thank those who attended and made that possible. 'As a force, we will continue to facilitate the right to protest when it is both peaceful and lawful.' Police put a dispersal order in place ahead of the protest from 3pm on Thursday to 8am on Friday, giving officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour to leave the area. A Section 60AA order, which prevents people from wearing face coverings, is also in place from 3pm on Thursday until 3pm on Friday. Essex Police previously said 14 people have been charged in connection with recent protests at the site and there have been 23 arrests. Concerns about the use of the Bell Hotel to house asylum seekers were expressed in an open letter sent to the Home Secretary from political leaders in Essex on Wednesday. In the letter, the politicians say housing migrants at the site is 'proving to be entirely unsuitable' and 'placing an unsustainable strain on police resources'. Protesters also gathered outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne, Surrey on Thursday. Spelthorne Borough Council previously said it had 'expressed strong opposition' to the Home Office's intention to change the client group at the hotel to provide only for male asylum seekers. In a letter to the Home Secretary, Councillor Joanne Sexton said the council was 'determined to avoid circumstances that could lead to civil unrest'. Spelthorne Borough Council said on Thursday that the Home Office had agreed to speak to the council on Friday to 'discuss the proposals in greater detail'. In a statement, the council said: 'We want to reassure residents that the council is fully aware of the concerns expressed by the community and is committed to raising these directly with the Home Office during the meeting.'
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Peaceful protest outside Epping asylum hotel
A peaceful protest has taken place outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping. Essex Police said a group of people protesting against The Bell Hotel in Epping formed at about 6pm on Thursday. Officers then facilitated a march in the town's High Street, by the same group, and no arrests were made. Multiple demonstrations have been held outside The Bell Hotel since July 13 after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who was charged with sexual assault, denies the charges. He is due to stand trial in August. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'The calm and peaceful nature of tonight's protest meant that we have not arrested anyone during the march, and I want to thank those who attended and made that possible. 'As a force, we will continue to facilitate the right to protest when it is both peaceful and lawful.' Police put a dispersal order in place ahead of the protest from 3pm on Thursday to 8am on Friday, giving officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour to leave the area. A Section 60AA order, which prevents people from wearing face coverings, is also in place from 3pm on Thursday until 3pm on Friday. Essex Police previously said 14 people have been charged in connection with recent protests at the site and there have been 23 arrests. Concerns about the use of the Bell Hotel to house asylum seekers were expressed in an open letter sent to the Home Secretary from political leaders in Essex on Wednesday. In the letter, the politicians say housing migrants at the site is 'proving to be entirely unsuitable' and 'placing an unsustainable strain on police resources'. Protesters also gathered outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne, Surrey on Thursday. Spelthorne Borough Council previously said it had 'expressed strong opposition' to the Home Office's intention to change the client group at the hotel to provide only for male asylum seekers. In a letter to the Home Secretary, Councillor Joanne Sexton said the council was 'determined to avoid circumstances that could lead to civil unrest'. Spelthorne Borough Council said on Thursday that the Home Office had agreed to speak to the council on Friday to 'discuss the proposals in greater detail'. In a statement, the council said: 'We want to reassure residents that the council is fully aware of the concerns expressed by the community and is committed to raising these directly with the Home Office during the meeting.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Police caught almost 7,000 speeding drivers in Essex roads over a three month period
ESSEX police officers caught nearly 7,000 speeding drivers in Essex roads across a three-month period. The roads policing unit carried out thousands of road checks across the county between April to June and caught 6,914 drivers speeding. The checks took place in towns, villages, and the force focused its efforts on areas where crashes are more likely to take place. In April, police caught 1,692 drivers, 2,504 in May, and 2,718 in June. An Essex Police spokesperson said: 'Speeding is one of the contributing factors to fatal collisions. 'Even a small increase in speed can lead to longer stopping distances and if you are involved in a crash, more serious injuries.' Between April and June, the force also recorded 7,602 road offences which included offences such as driving under the influence, careless or dangerous driving, and MOT violations. The spokesperson added: 'Each of these offences carries serious consequences from fines and penalty points to, in some cases, imprisonment. 'People living in these areas have welcomed the extra checks. Many say it makes them feel safer. 'Enforcement and road safety checks will continue across Essex throughout the summer months and beyond. 'This is part of Vision Zero, our joint ambition with road safety partners to have no fatal collisions by 2040 or sooner. 'We're asking all road users to play their part. Drive within the speed limit, never drive under the influence, and always ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. 'Together, we can reduce harm and make Essex's roads safer for all.' To find out more about Vision Zero, visit
South Wales Guardian
15 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Police put dispersal order in place ahead of planned protest outside hotel
Multiple demonstrations have been held outside The Bell Hotel in Epping since July 13 after an asylum-seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who was charged with sexual assault, denies the charges. He is due to stand trial in August. Essex Police said the dispersal order, from 3pm on Thursday to 8am on Friday, gives officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour to leave the area. The force said that a Section 60AA order, which prevents people from wearing face coverings, will also be in place from 3pm on Thursday until 3pm on Friday. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said on Thursday: 'Tonight's protest follows two previous demonstrations which passed off peacefully and without incident. 'We're putting measures in place to ensure those who want to express their democratic right to peaceful protest can do so safely, to minimise disruption to the local community and to ensure the safety of residents and staff at the hotel. 'Our plans are also aimed to ensure residents and businesses in and around Epping can go about their businesses as they usually would and there is no reason why they cannot do so. 'We will not tolerate anyone coming here to commit crime or anti-social behaviour and if you do, you will be dealt with'. The force previously said 14 people have been charged in connection with protests at the site and there have been 23 arrests. Concerns about the use of the Bell Hotel to house asylum-seekers were expressed in an open letter sent to the Home Secretary, from political leaders in Essex, on Wednesday. The signatories are: Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex; Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest; Alex Burghart, MP for Brentwood and Ongar; Christopher Whitbread, leader of Epping Forest District Council and Kevin Bentley, leader of Essex County Council. In the letter, the politicians argue that housing migrants at the site is 'proving to be entirely unsuitable and … placing an unsustainable strain on police resources'.
