Southend: Arrest after investigation into robberies

A persistent investigation into a series of robberies over the past week in Southend has seen your strengthened neighbourhood policing team make two arrests.

We’re questioning a man in connection with four separate incidents involving the theft of phones, bank cards and other property.

This follows tireless work trawling CCTV footage, speaking to witnesses and offering support to the victims as we gathered evidence.

Series of incidents

On the evening of Monday 13 October we received a report of a robbery taking place in the area of Woodgrange Drive.

A number of items including a phone, wallet and card were stolen from a man.

On the morning of Friday 24 October a woman was walking to work when a man approached her from behind in the area of Northumberland Avenue.

He pulled her bag from her with force before fleeing the scene.

A range of items within the bag, including keys and earphones, were stolen.

Later that same day, a robbery was reported at a shop in Sutton Road.

It was reported a man had punched a staff member, taking a sum of cash and a number of vape products.

On the evening of Tuesday 28 October, we received a similar report of a robbery in the area of Eastern Esplanade, whereby a woman was approached and had her bag stolen.

Suspects identified

Investigations into these incidents have continued, resulting in officers identifying a suspect and attending a Southend address on the morning of Thursday 30 October.

A number of items, suspected to have been stolen, were recovered.

A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s and from Southend, were arrested.

The man is being questioned on suspicion of robbery, the woman on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

Southend’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) received additional officers as part of an uplift in April this year.

In total, 74 more officer roles were added to our NPTs across the force.

Inspector Jane Childs, of Southend Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“This was a worrying series of robberies and I’m confident the swift actions of our officers have prevented further offences.
“With the additional resources made available to us ahead of the summer, we’ve made sure we’re dedicating officers, full time, to tackling our priority offences.
“That includes theft, it includes robbery – the crimes I know the public want to see us dealing with.
“Neighbourhood officers use the local knowledge they build and their ties to the area they serve to catch criminals and keep the public safe.
“It’s a presence on the ground in Southend and a valuable asset to the team when it comes to making arrests when we see a spate of troubling offences like this.
“We’ve relied heavily on the good work of the public, witnesses and several victims, in working with us and I’d urge people to keep talking to us about the problems you’re seeking in your neighbourhood.
“If you don’t see an immediate response, please feel confident your reports are helping us to build our cases.”

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