Tilbury: Specialist officers safeguard child and secure charges

Specialist officers who work to protect children from sexual offenders and catch perpetrators have secured three charges against a man.

Officers with our Child Abuse Investigations Team had launched enquiries after reports of sexual activity between a man and a child in the Tilbury area.

This also followed reports of a man breaching his bail conditions.

We spoke to the child, putting support in place, and carried out a number of enquiries to locate a person of interest on Monday 27 November.

After some swift investigative work, an arrest was made by officers from our Operational Support Group.

Tyrese Smith, 19, of Grove Road, Romford, has since been charged with three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 29 November and was remanded in custody until a hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday 2 January.

Synergy Essex provides support and guidance for survivors of sexual and sexual abuse across Essex.

The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership is formed of three organisations:

• CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who cover mid and north Essex.
• SERICC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service) who cover South and West Essex.
• SOS Rape Crisis who cover Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

Survivors can self-refer and receive emotional support, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling and or specialist advocacy services, no matter when the sexual violence or abuse occurred. In addition to this, they also offer support to survivor’s loved ones.

For more information about how to get support, visit the Synergy Essex website.