Op Community: Crime crackdown in Epping Forest

A day of action to combat issues including burglary, hate crime and speeding saw more than 50 of our officers from the west of the county deployed across the district of Epping Forest.

The proactive work formed part of Operation Community, which brings together teams from across the force to engage with local residents, businesses and colleges to deliver community safety action alongside partner organisations.

Officers completed 64 hours of anti-burglary foot patrols where there have been break-ins in the past three months in areas of Waltham Abbey, Chigwell, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Epping. They were joined by colleagues from CID who visited victims and also carried out their own patrols in Debden, Stapleford Abbotts and Abridge.

Six officers conducted patrols of the areas surrounding Epping, Loughton, Debden, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell tube stations. This led to six stop searches and arrests for the possession of Class A drugs and possession of an imitation firearm.

The team also spoke to commuters who filled our questionnaires about if there were any areas locally where they felt unsafe and why.

On Epping High Street, officers handed out information about how to spot and report hate crime and fraud, alongside a member of the council’s anti-social behaviour team.

Just along from the stall, offensive graffiti was spotted and then removed by the council team. Two men were subsequently arrested after an appeal featuring still from CCTV.

There were also three arrests made of outstanding suspects for offences including domestic abuse, and at New City College in Debden, officers from our Child Abuse investigation Team (CAIT) gave a talk to 60 students about consent and handed out personal alarms.

In an effort to crack down on reckless road users, more than 500 speed checks were carried out at eight sites in Sheering, Roydon, Epping, Nazeing, Theydon Bois and Dobbs Weir.

Sergeant Rob Fitt of the Community Safety Team coordinated the operation.

He said: “We had a significant number of uniform and plain clothes officers out on patrol in the district and for anyone thinking about committing crime or driving dangerously, it is a deterrent.

“Whenever we go to community meetings, whether it’s in the suburban or rural areas of the district, people tell us they want to see officers on foot patrol, so we target areas on foot and people tell us they find it reassuring.

“We are listening to the local community and we want people to report crime and anti-social behaviour. If you report online, the information will come straight through to us in the same way it does with a phone call. If you can tell us when and where incidents are occurring, the community policing team can take action.

“Our relationship with our partners at the council is key. When dealing with an issue - like the graffiti on the High Street - we can address it quickly and effectively.”

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