Saffron Walden: Tackling anti-social behaviour

Officers policing your neighbourhoods are tackling anti-social behaviour in Saffron Walden and wider Uttlesford.

This means ensuring we maintain a visible policing presence on the streets, it means maintaining strong ties with residents and businesses and it means responding quickly when we’re called.

We’re also using all tools at our disposal to limit prolific offenders from causing further harm.

Back in May this year, we were called to reports of an intoxicated man in Saffron Walden High Street.

Members of the public told us he was shouting and attempting to fight passers-by.

While officers were on their way to the scene, further calls came in reporting

the same man pushing people, including staff at a shop in the High Street.

Officers swiftly arrived and the man, identified as 47-year-old Craig Henderson, fled on a bicycle.

He didn’t get very far, with officers catching up to him, restraining him and taking him into custody.

Following an investigation, Henderson, of Church Walk, Littlebury, was charged with and later admitted three counts of assault by beating.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 23 June, where he received a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from entering areas across Saffron Walden, including: High Street, Market Street, Market Row, Market Walk, Mercers Row, King Street, Cross Street and Central Arcade.

He must pay a fine and complete alcohol treatment and rehabilitation activity requirements.

'This behaviour is not acceptable'

Acting Sergeant Simon Ball said:

“We know the people of Uttlesford want to see us responding quickly and effectively to issues like this.
“It’s only with the help of the public, and with the reports you make to us, that we can efficiently police the district and gather evidence.
“We’re also innovative in our approach and measures like Criminal Behaviour Orders are really key in limiting the harmful offending of people like Henderson.
“This type of behaviour is not acceptable to us. It will be acted upon.
“We’ll make arrests and get offenders like him before the courts – but we’ll also take steps to better monitor and deter repeat instances of similar offending.
“Under the terms of this order, he faces arrest and criminal sanction for simply attending areas across Saffron Walden.
“I hope examples like this give the public in Uttlesford confidence that we’re across the issues that matter to them most.”

For advice on how to stay safe and protect your home, yourself, your business and your vehicles from crime, please visit our crime prevention pages.

You can also find out more general information about crime, the law and staying safe on our advice and information pages.

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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.