Epping Forest: Patrolling officers listen to residents and retailers

Our officers have been out on patrol across Epping Forest listening to residents and business owners and keeping you safe.

Epping Forest Town Team officers kept a watchful eye over the areas of Buckhurst Hill and Loughton on Thursday 26 October, patrolling alongside Marshall Vance, a councillor for both areas.

This activity took in Queens Road High Street, where officers listened to concerns and issues raised by the public and retailers.

During a patrol in Debden, officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and, together with assistance from officers from South Roads Policing Unit, stopped it in London Road, Abridge.

A 26-year-old man was subsequently arrested on a warrant for failing to appear at court.

'Officers were proactive and involved'

Councillor Vance said afterwards:

“I got a great insight into a daily shift for our local police officers and the great work they do.
“It was interesting to see how police deal with the incidents they respond to.
“Like most of the public, we believe the police are never to be seen but my time with these officers showed me how proactive and involved they are on a wide range of issues that confront them.
“I can only commend them for the work they do in engaging with the public, being seen on our streets and fighting crime to keep our neighbourhoods safe.”

Anti-social behaviour down in Epping Forest

Officers from the Town Centre Team and our Operational Support Group also patrolled in and around Debden Broadway in the evening, where they talked to retailers, residents and visitors about their concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

In the 12 months to September 2023, we recorded 402 fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Epping Forest District.

This marks a decrease of 27 per cent year-on-year.

What you know could be the missing puzzle piece we’re looking for.

We know that information held by our communities can help us to keep people safe and catch criminals.

We also know that our communities need to trust that we will listen to them and take action when we need to.

Our Police Intelligence page explains what happens when you tell us something you've seen or heard. It explains what to expect and what we need to know when you give us information. 

If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right or causes you concern, we want you to tell us about it.