Crays Hill community team established

Essex Police has established an additional community policing team within the Crays Hill area of Billericay.


Photo: Crays Hill community team

The team, made up of one sergeant, two constables and three PCSOs, is working to support all of the communities affected by the proposed enforcement activity by Basildon Borough Council on illegal traveller pitches, and to engage with local people to identify their needs and concerns.

The existence of this dedicated community policing team will compliment the officers who work within the Billericay and Wickford policing area, leaving them to police their areas and deal with any crime concerns that their residents have that are separate from the issues surrounding Dale Farm.

 Our job is to ensure that all residents have a way for their voice to be heard. 
Sgt Danielle Bailey

Sgt Danielle Bailey, who supervises the Crays Hill community policing team, said: “Essex Police's involvement in the proposed enforcement activities at Dale Farm includes a duty to respond to the concerns of all local communities affected by the issue.

“If enforcement action does take place, it could have a significant impact on people living in the area. Our job is to ensure that all residents have a way for their voice to be heard, and having a team dedicated to the Crays Hill community means we can effectively deal with their concerns.”

The team regularly patrols the area and visits the Dale Farm site and Crays Hill with the mobile police station to give all residents a chance to talk face-to-face with the team.

Sgt Bailey added: “The core principle of neighbourhood policing is to be accessible and visible to the community, and by taking the mobile station to both the traveller community and the Crays Hill community, we are giving residents a chance to inform us, tell us their concerns, and find a constructive way for us to deal with any issues for the benefit of all.

 Having such regular contact with the police makes us all feel safer. 
Jason Lever, Manger of Elms Nursery

“It is a common misconception that police do not visit this area, but this is simply untrue. The majority of our team have had an existing relationship with all of the Crays Hill community. Our team adds to the positive work carried out by our colleagues in Billericay and Wickford, to the benefit of the whole community, not just Crays Hill.”

A 48-year-old woman, who lives at Dale Farm, was pleased to have the presence of the community team at the site. She said: “The officers are very friendly and helpful, and if we have an issue we want to speak to them about they do their best to help. On a normal day when we just want to chat, they stop and talk to us. The kids are used to seeing them here and know their faces too.”

Jason Lever, manager of Elms Nursery in Crays Hill added: “The Crays Hill police are great. They pop in regularly for a chat and update and are very professional. If I have any crime concerns I know they are there to help.

"Having such regular contact with them makes us all feel safer knowing we live and work in a community that is not only safe, but visited regularly by the police.”

The Basildon SOS Bus also regularly visits the Crays Hill area, giving police a chance to speak to people who visit the bus for medical services and advice from members of the Basildon Community Safety Partnership.

You can find out more about the team and how to contact them on the Crays Hill community team page.