Mason Lewsey

Essex Police searched for a missing 13-year-old girl from Purfleet who was believed to have travelled to Surrey. She has since been found.

Five Colchester-area pubs are recommended for watching the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season: The Centurion, Camulodunum, Dog & Pheasant, The Friar and Swan Inn. The venues are compared by location, customer ratings, live-sports coverage, parking, food and other amenities, with options ranging from lively town-centre bars to more relaxed pubs suited to drivers and larger groups.

HMS Severn, a River-class offshore patrol vessel, visited Harwich on August 12 for the “Resilience in Harwich with the Royal Navy” event organized by Freeport East and Harwich Haven Authority. Industry, local government and maritime-sector representatives discussed maritime security, regional resilience and the Royal Navy’s proposed hybrid fleet combining crewed vessels, autonomous systems and digital technology. The visit also highlighted Essex’s affiliation with the Type 31 frigate HMS Venturer, which is under construction in Scotland and is expected to enter service later this decade.

Around 30 tonnes of hay bales caught fire in Frating at approximately 3:13 p.m. Fire crews initially required five engines, later scaling back to two from Weeley and Clacton. Residents were warned that smoke could remain in the area and advised to close their windows and doors.

A gas leak at the Tesco supermarket on Greenstead Road in Colchester forced staff to evacuate the building at around 5pm. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines, evacuated the store and made the scene safe by 5:52pm before leaving it in the care of Cadent. The supermarket was temporarily closed to the public while crews responded.

A large grass and shrubbery fire broke out on Berechurch Road near Colchester on Tuesday, August 11, covering approximately two hectares. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines and 12 firefighters to tackle the blaze. The cause of the fire had not been confirmed.

A serious collision reportedly involving a lorry and a car has closed the A12 in both directions near Junction 28 at Colchester United Football Ground. Essex Police expect the closure to continue for some time, while severe congestion is affecting surrounding roads including the B1408, Cymbeline Way, Westway, Ipswich Road and St Andrew’s Avenue. An air ambulance reportedly attended, and drivers have been advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Wandile Mirazi, 30, from Colchester, and three men from Great Yarmouth—Jake Noble, Oliver Eastoe and Remy Sayer—have been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine following a police investigation into suspected organized drug crime. Mirazi also faces a charge of possessing a knife in a public place, while Sayer faces an additional charge of possessing criminal property. Mirazi was remanded in custody and is due before Norwich Crown Court on August 26; the other three men were released on bail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Average UK petrol prices have risen to 160.85p per litre, their highest level since November 2022, while diesel has reached 180.34p. The RAC attributes the increases to the ongoing Iran conflict, reporting that petrol has risen by more than 9p per litre and diesel by 14.5p from recent lows. Filling a family-sized car now costs about £88 for petrol and £98 for diesel. The article also compares the cheapest and most expensive petrol and diesel prices at forecourts across Essex.

The Fordham Vehicle Rally in Essex has been cancelled or postponed because drought has left the event site and surrounding land dangerously dry, creating an excessive fire risk. Organisers said safety concerns outweighed the possibility of holding the annual classic vehicle event and hope to reschedule it later in the year. Stallholders will be contacted about refunds or rescheduling, but no replacement date has been confirmed. The cancellation comes as the Environment Agency declares drought conditions across East Anglia and other parts of England, following exceptionally low rainfall and an amber heat health alert.

Gillian Dylis Green, an 87-year-old Rayne resident, died after being seriously injured in a collision on Shalford Road involving a car and a parked vehicle. Her family described her as greatly loved and said she would be sadly missed. Essex Police reported no other injuries and is continuing to investigate, appealing for witnesses, footage and information under reference 818 of July 19.

Essex and Suffolk Water will introduce a hosepipe ban from 00:01 on Monday, August 3, after the Environment Agency declared a drought across East Anglia following prolonged dry weather, low river flows and dry soils. The restrictions cover gardening, vehicle and patio washing, pool filling, sprinklers and pressure washers in areas including Basildon, Southend, Tilbury, Brentwood, Hanningfield, Langford and Chelmsford. Limited exceptions apply for vulnerable customers and essential work, while watering cans may still be used. The company says the measures will protect rivers, wildlife and water supplies; Water Resources East supports the decision. It is the supplier’s first such restriction since June 1997.

Jack Shepherd, who was convicted of manslaughter after Charlotte Brown died during a speedboat accident on the River Thames, admitted at Isleworth Crown Court to two assaults occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage against a later partner. He admitted pinning and punching the woman and striking her with barbecue tongs, causing a permanent scar, while additional charges of coercive control and intentional suffocation were dropped. Shepherd remains in custody awaiting sentencing and said his original manslaughter sentence is due to end in January 2029.

Essex Highways has begun four nights of resurfacing work on St Cyrus Road, Upland Drive and St Christopher Road in Colchester. The work was scheduled during the summer school holidays to reduce disruption and avoid affecting a nearby primary school. St Cyrus Road will close overnight, with diversions via St Christopher Road and Ipswich Road.

Fifteen firefighters remained overnight at Highlands Farm in Rettendon to monitor hotspots and cool the area after a fire and explosion involving fertiliser at multiple industrial units. More than 100 firefighters attended the blaze, which spread to nearby farmland, while Southend Road and access to the site remained closed. A major incident was declared, and 20 firefighters were taken to hospital, though all were later discharged.

Drivers are facing severe delays on the A12 in Essex after obstructions on the northbound carriageway at Boreham Interchange and near Hatfield Peverel, including a stalled vehicle. The B1137 is also heavily congested, while the A12 entry ramp at junction 20B is closed. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes or allow extra travel time.

A 19‑year‑old from Chigwell has been charged after an Essex Police investigation into racist messages allegedly sent on Instagram to England defender Jess Carter during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament. The abuse reportedly caused significant distress and led Carter to withdraw from social media. The suspect is due in Colchester Magistrates’ Court, while two additional individuals from Lancashire and Derbyshire have previously been arrested in connection with similar alleged abuse.

Immigration Enforcement officers raided Angel Nails in Clacton, arresting four Vietnamese nationals on suspicion of illegal working and issuing the business a Civil Penalty Referral Notice. The Home Office warned of significant fines for breaches and highlighted rising enforcement activity, including increased arrests and workplace raids, as further investigations continue.

Essex Police are seeking three men after hundreds of pounds worth of items were stolen from a Co-op store on Main Road in Dovercourt on May 20. Authorities released images of the individuals and urged anyone with information to contact them through the police website, online live chat, or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Parents in Essex expressed mixed reactions to a county council proposal to shift school holidays back by one week starting in the 2028–29 academic year. Supporters hope the change could reduce travel costs amid rising holiday prices and penalties for term‑time absences, while sceptics argue that tour operators may simply raise prices accordingly. Concerns were also raised about families with children in different schools, effects on tourism businesses, and potential educational disruption. Some parents suggested more flexible absence policies, including allowing limited annual holiday leave based on attendance performance.

A crash near junction 31 of the M25 led to the closure of an entry slip road and two lanes, causing extensive delays across Lakeside, Chafford Hundred, and Grays. Emergency resurfacing and high road temperatures prolonged the closure until 7 p.m., despite expectations of an earlier reopening. All lanes are now open, but congestion of around five miles and delays of up to 90 minutes continue, with drivers advised to allow extra time.

A van fire on the M25 between Junctions 27 and 28 resulted in the driver sustaining serious injuries and being transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital. Fire crews extinguished the blaze and provided initial aid before handing the casualty to ambulance personnel. The incident caused significant traffic disruption, including a lane closure and partial blockage of the M11 slip road.

A crash on the northbound A12 between Junctions 26 and 27 has partially blocked the road, causing very heavy traffic and long delays on the Colchester bypass. Congestion extends back to Junction 25 and affects routes around Stanway Tollgate. Essex Travel News reports significant queuing at the exit from J26, and drivers are advised to use alternative routes. Details of the crash remain unknown, and emergency services have been contacted for information.

A 21-year-old Croydon man, Rishik Parmar, was jailed for two years and six months after admitting to running a county lines drug operation in Colchester and possessing around £20,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin. Police linked him to an earlier knife incident in the city, and officers recovered drugs, cash and a phone during his arrest. Essex Police highlighted the connection between county lines activity, violence and exploitation, while noting a recent reduction in knife-enabled crime. Crimestoppers urged the public to report county lines activity anonymously to help protect vulnerable individuals.

Two water suppliers, Anglian Water and Affinity Water, have introduced hosepipe bans across multiple towns in Essex due to prolonged hot, dry weather reducing water availability. Affected locations include Colchester, Braintree, Harlow, Epping, Clacton, Harwich, and surrounding villages, while South Essex remains unaffected under Essex and Suffolk Water. The restrictions prohibit non‑essential outdoor water use, with potential fines of up to £1,000, though suppliers emphasise education and voluntary compliance.

Jonathan Bland will leave his role as headteacher of The Stanway School in Colchester after 18 years to take up a full-time senior position with the Sigma Trust. Bland, who has served as head since 2014, reflected on his tenure, citing the pandemic as his biggest challenge and expressing gratitude to staff and students. His time at the school included notable moments such as charity events and national recognition, including a silver award for Headteacher of the Year. The school also received accolades during his leadership. Bland will become director of curriculum and assessment in September.

Major UK political parties have refused to contest the Clacton by-election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation, undermining his attempt to frame it as a battle between the people and the establishment. Farage remains under investigation over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency businessman Christopher Harborne and alleged support from fraudster George Cottrell, with the inquiry paused until he potentially returns to Parliament. Only Count Binface has confirmed a challenge so far, while figures such as Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey criticised the move as a distraction and called for full transparency for voters. Farage offered to fund the vote, but government rules prevent this.

Temperatures in Essex are expected to peak around 33C, with high humidity and little wind through midweek. Conditions remain hot and muggy until a modest cooldown on Friday, with temperatures falling below 30C by the weekend. The Met Office forecasts dry, bright weather, while the UK Health Security Agency issues a yellow heat health alert for the East of England due to risks for vulnerable people and added pressure on health services.

Several Essex branches of Cats Protection are seeking new homes for a number of cats, each with distinct backgrounds and needs. The cats include former strays, young mothers and bonded kittens, with some requiring adult-only homes, indoor-only environments or additional patience to build trust. Local branches across Essex continue to support and rehabilitate these animals as they prepare for adoption.

Police charged 65-year-old Gary Mansfield with murder and attempted murder after an elderly woman was found dead at a Brentwood address. Emergency services responded to welfare concerns early in the morning, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Essex Police arrested Mansfield and confirmed he would appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court. A detective expressed condolences to those affected.

A large volume of fly‑tipped waste was discovered in a layby on the A137 in Brantham near the Essex–Suffolk border. Babergh District Council reported that the rubbish included household items, construction debris and children’s toys, and warned that residents can be fined or prosecuted if their waste is found fly‑tipped. The council cleared the site and reminded the public to ensure that anyone removing waste has the proper Environment Agency licence.

Essex councils are preparing for potential disruptions to bin collections as temperatures are forecast to exceed 30C. Colchester previously altered schedules and suspended some services during extreme heat to protect waste crews and may do so again. Other councils, including Chelmsford and Epping Forest, currently expect normal operations but continue to monitor conditions. Residents are advised to check local updates as another heatwave is anticipated.

Police are appealing for a teenage boy to come forward after he was reportedly assaulted by a group at Castle Park in Colchester. Officers searched the area but found no victim or suspects. Inspector Martin Willsher urged the boy or his family to contact police and stressed the importance of public reporting to maintain safety in the park. The article also notes an unrelated recent unauthorised caravan encampment in Lower Castle Park, which was removed following notices issued by Essex Police and Colchester City Council.

A collision on the M25 anticlockwise near junction 26 has halted all lanes, causing long delays as traffic tails back toward junction 27 and the M11. Emergency services and recovery teams are working to clear the scene, with current delays reported at more than 30 minutes. Drivers are advised to avoid the area while the closure remains in place, and further details are awaited.

An obstruction linked to Cadent gas works closed one lane of the A12 southbound near junction 23 for Kelvedon, causing long rush‑hour queues stretching toward Marks Tey and increasing congestion on nearby routes such as Braxted Park Road. Drivers were advised to plan ahead while Essex County Council crews addressed related road issues.

A crash on the A12 northbound between Junctions 16 and 14 has partially blocked the road, causing delays with traffic backing up past Galleywood. Drivers are advised to plan ahead while details about the collision remain unknown, and Essex Police have been asked for further information.

A temporary no-fly zone for unmanned aircraft has been imposed over Colchester Garrison from 6am to 6pm on July 31, covering flights below 1,200 feet. The restriction supports security for the unveiling of the Colchester Airborne Soldier Statue, commemorating 25 years of the 16 Air Assault Brigade at the garrison. Drone flights are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Essex Police Counter-UAS Bronze Commander, and part of the Middlewick Ranges is also covered.