Essex High Sheriff recognises officers’ ‘tireless work’

Essex High Sheriff Simon Brice has thanked Essex Police and our officers for working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to uphold law and order during extremely challenging times.

He has also recognised four of our specialist teams for their outstanding work to keep people safe.

Mr Brice, who has served a year as High Sheriff, presented team representatives with their certificates during a ceremony at Essex Police Headquarters.

“When I started my year as High Sheriff last April, I saw the stress that COVID was having on the force and I wanted to recognise Essex Police for their commitment in upholding law and order during COVID.
“As High Sheriff of Essex, I have seen the excellent work and commitment of Essex Police in keeping people safe and in combatting crime and have also seen how new recruits join a family.
“We are fortunate to have a great top team within Essex Police who are supported by great officers throughout the county. Thank you to you all.” 
Essex High Sheriff Simon Brice

Officers in our South Raptor team were recognised for their hard work and dedication to combating and dismantling County Lines drug gangs.   

We have three Raptor teams covering Essex – last year they took a total of £808,000 of drugs and £569,000 in drugs money off our streets. That’s an average of £15,000 of drugs and £10,000 of cash every week.

While 148 people were jailed for an average of three and a half years each for related offences, another 97 were safeguarded and provided with support to get away from a life of crime.

 

Our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Investigation Team was recognised for ‘dedication and determination to help victims of this horrendous crime and in giving people hope for a positive future’.    

Modern slavery involves the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting.

Victims can be any age, gender, nationality and ethnicity. They are tricked or threatened into work and may not recognise themselves as a victim.

Modern slavery can be going on in any community and our team relies on the public to tell us if you see something that indicates someone is a victim.

 

Staff in Colchester Domestic Abuse Investigation Team were acknowledged for their dedication and determination to help victims of domestic abuse to escape the cycle of abuse and to take action against perpetrators. Mr Brice also commended them for being committed to safeguarding victims and their families.   

 

And our Cyber Crime Unit was recognised for the vital work its officers carry out with ‘commitment and determination’ to protect people and businesses from crimes committed online or via social media and to support victims of offences such as online fraud, harassment & stalking and child sexual exploitation.

 

Essex High Sheriff's Awards: Essex Police Cup

At the recent Essex High Sheriff's Awards ceremony, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet presented the Essex Police Cup to African Families in the UK.

The Colchester-based charity has been supporting people from African and other ethnic minority communities since 2015. One part of their work is to provide young people with practical diversionary activities to give them a focus and help them to avoid anti-social or criminal behaviour. 

The High Sheriff’s Awards reward volunteers, charities and community groups in Essex who devote their time and energy to improve the communities in which they live and work, to make Essex a better and safer place. 

 

Has the work of our specialist teams inspired you?

People from all walks of life are applying to join Essex Police and everyone is welcome if you share our values and want to help people and protect and serve our communities.

We value difference, so if you think you fit the bill and want to join our policing family, visit www.essex.police.uk/careers to see what careers we have to offer.