Matthew Benton-Smith

A car fire on the southbound A130 between the A12 Chelmsford Bypass at Howe Green and the A1245 at Rettendon Turnpike caused stationary traffic and delays of around 54 minutes, with average speeds falling to about 5mph. Queues also formed northbound following an earlier crash. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and allow extra travel time, while Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service attended.

Shyeem Chisholm was sentenced to five years and seven months at Chelmsford Crown Court after admitting involvement in supplying crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis. He had left drugs in the flat of a recovering drug user in Loughton and instructed the vulnerable man to sell them, a form of exploitation known as cuckooing. Essex Police safeguarded the victim by moving him to alternative accommodation, then identified and arrested Chisholm at an address in Enfield. Officers seized cash, a drugs phone and lists of contacts; the court also heard that Chisholm had returned to drug dealing after prison and had previous convictions for similar offences.

HM Coastguard launched a major emergency response off Thorney Bay near Canvey Island after receiving a report at around 17:30 on 17 August of a person possibly in difficulty in the water. Coastguard rescue teams from Canvey Island and Southend, an RNLI hovercraft and a Coastguard helicopter were deployed, with Essex Police also attending. No further information was available at the time of the statement.

Salcott Crescent near Wickford station is expected to remain closed for the week while recovery work continues after the rear two carriages of a Greater Anglia train derailed south of the station. More than 60 people were assessed by ambulance crews, and the derailment damaged about 1.5 miles of railway and related infrastructure. Network Rail is investigating and repairing the damage, while major disruption between Shenfield and Southend Victoria is expected to continue until at least Friday, August 21.

A 31-year-old woman from Canvey was charged after allegedly failing to stop for police in Pitsea and being pursued toward Benfleet. Essex Police said the white Volvo crashed at Tarpots junction, where officers arrested her. She faces allegations including failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and drug driving.

An Essex Police operation targeting anti-social behaviour and retail crime in Rayleigh town centre disrupted two shop thefts at Tesco and Greggs. Officers carried out 17 stop-and-searches, issued three community resolutions for cannabis possession, placed two people under investigation for Class B drug possession, stopped three vehicles and submitted seven intelligence reports. Sergeant Paul Restall said similar operations would continue in cooperation with local businesses, residents and partners.

Anthony Search, 43, of Basildon, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after Essex Police found him carrying cocaine and cannabis and discovered additional drugs, more than £1,500 in cash, scales and packaging at his home. He admitted possessing Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property. The arrest occurred during County Lines Intensification Week, during which Essex officers made 24 arrests and seized cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin.

Mezra, a new luxury Turkish fine-dining restaurant, is due to open on Warley Road in Great Warley near Brentwood on Saturday, August 8, in the former Fat Turk premises. The building has undergone extensive refurbishment and rebranding, with the new venue offering indoor and outdoor dining, elevated Turkish cuisine, private-event facilities and an upscale atmosphere. Opening bookings have reportedly sold out, while reservations for later dates are available online.

A boat carrying 11 people ran aground in Old Leigh after losing power and listing in fast-moving water. HM Coastguard teams and the RNLI Southend Lifeboat crew used a hovercraft as a temporary pontoon to evacuate everyone safely within 10 minutes. The vessel was secured to the wharf for refloating on the next tide, and authorities warned the public about the area’s strong tides and urged anyone spotting a coastal emergency to call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Essex Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Joel Charles praised the emergency response to the Highlands Farm explosion and fire in East Hanningfield. Around 100 firefighters were deployed, with crews from London and Suffolk providing cover elsewhere in Essex. The site remains under monitoring after the immediate public danger was addressed, all hospitalized firefighters have been discharged, and a full investigation is underway with welfare support being offered to responders.

Fire crews responded to a rubbish fire on Rayleigh Road in Eastwood at about 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was extinguished by 2:10 p.m.; no damage or injuries had been reported.

A collision on the westbound A127 near Rayleigh Weir has caused heavy delays, with queues extending toward the Progress Road junction and congestion on routes through Rayleigh town centre. Drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible, allow extra travel time, and use alternative routes until the crash is cleared.

Thomas Skinner, the Essex entrepreneur and television personality, is seeking a new cook for his Brentwood seafood stall The Lairy Lobster. He described the role as fast‑paced with good pay and regular shifts from Thursday to Sunday, adding that staff will never pay for a beer while working. The hiring call, shared across his active social media platforms, has drawn interest from followers and local residents.

Police are seeking information after a robbery at a Tesco Express on London Road in Westcliff, where a hammer was used to break into a till and steal several hundred pounds. An image of a man officers want to speak with has been released, and the public is urged to provide information or footage through Essex Police channels or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

An elderly woman in her 80s died in hospital after being injured in a July 19 collision involving a car and a parked vehicle on Shalford Road in Rayne. Essex Police confirmed the death, noting that no other injuries occurred and that the woman’s family is receiving support. Police are appealing for information or footage and directing the public to online reporting channels or Crimestoppers for anonymous tips.

Police released CCTV images of a woman sought after allegedly passing through Ilford station ticket barriers without paying and spitting in a staff member’s face before leaving. Officers requested public assistance in identifying her and provided contact details for British Transport Police and Crimestoppers for information.

A burst water main caused significant flooding on Orchard Road in Benfleet, submerging parts of the pavement and affecting vehicle movement as engineers worked on repairs. Motorists were advised to use caution, while the extent of property impact and repair duration remained unclear. Essex and Suffolk Water was contacted for further information.

Sparks will return to Southend for the first time in 52 years with a performance at the Cliffs Pavilion on August 26, following the release of their new live album Sparks Live On The Moon. The band’s renewed visibility is supported by a long career spanning 28 albums, influential collaborations, and a recent documentary. Their upcoming European shows lead into a busy August tour schedule. Tickets for the Southend concert are now available, promising a career-spanning event celebrating Sparks’ enduring legacy.

A joint police operation across six forces in South East England led to 65 arrests, 47 seized vehicles, cash confiscations, and multiple weapons and drug seizures. Essex Police made six arrests and recovered drugs and weapons, including stopping a stolen motorcycle in Stanford-le-Hope. Officers emphasised the importance of public information in identifying and disrupting organised crime.

A 26-year-old man from Grays has been charged with causing death by careless driving and possession of a Class B drug after a collision involving a van and a pedestrian in April last year. The pedestrian, 72-year-old Roy Hibbert, later died in hospital. The defendant appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court and is scheduled to appear at Basildon Crown Court in August.

Four men from Romford, Coventry and Southend have been charged in connection with a burglary conspiracy following a Southend CID investigation into offences across south Essex and East London in 2023 and 2024. Charges include conspiracy to commit burglary and, for one suspect, conspiracy to steal a vehicle. After appearing at Southend Magistrates’ Court, they are scheduled for a further hearing at Basildon Crown Court. Police emphasized burglary prevention and victim support as ongoing priorities.

Emergency repair work to fix a collapsed manhole has closed one lane of the eastbound A127 after Childerditch Lane near Brentwood, causing long queues toward Southend and delays extending back to the M25. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes while the duration of repairs remains unknown.

A long-running Indian restaurant on London Road in Hadleigh has been listed for sale at £79,995, with around six years left on its lease and rent of £23,000 per year. The fully equipped 748-square-foot venue includes seating for about 45 diners, a commercial kitchen, customer facilities, and four upstairs letting rooms generating additional rental income. Weekly takings average around £3,000, and agents describe the property as a strong opportunity for an owner-operator, with potential to expand operating hours or adapt the space for another cuisine or hospitality concept. Recent reviews highlight strong food quality and service.

A Maersk mega‑vessel, the Munich Maersk, is scheduled to arrive at London Gateway in Essex for a multi‑day stop to load and unload thousands of containers as part of its Europe–Asia route. The ship’s visit highlights the port’s capacity to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels and its role as a major logistics hub with extensive transport links across the UK.

Fire crews brought a vegetation fire near Canvey Road under control after being called shortly after 6 p.m., containing and extinguishing the blaze by 7:13 p.m. No injuries were reported, and the incident involved a field fire that was quickly managed by Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

Basildon has been shortlisted for the inaugural UK Town of Culture award, making it one of 15 towns selected from nearly 400 applicants. Each shortlisted town receives funding to develop a full bid, with the winning town awarded £3 million to deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2028. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and panel chair Phil Redmond highlighted the strong response and cultural pride shown by communities nationwide. The programme is run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and parallels the UK City of Culture competition.

A points failure at East Ham blocked the rail line between West Ham High Level and Barking, causing cancellations and delays across c2c services with disruption expected for the rest of the day. Passengers are advised to delay travel or use alternative routes, with tickets accepted on Greater Anglia and London Underground services. Travellers are urged to check live updates and online tools for the latest information.

A NATO F‑16 fighter jet made an emergency landing and caught fire on the runway at Zakynthos Airport, leading to significant disruption to flights between the island and the UK. Airlines including Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI have rerouted or delayed services as authorities prepare updates on airport operations. Local reports indicate the pilot is safe and the landing gear caused the emergency.

Multiple c2c rail services across south Essex will be cancelled on July 9 and 10 due to extreme heat, which raises risks of buckled rails, sagging overhead lines, and lineside fires. Speed restrictions are expected to cause delays and short‑notice cancellations, and passengers are advised to travel earlier, carry water, and check updates. The operator released a full list of affected morning and afternoon trains in both directions between Shoeburyness, Grays, Pitsea, and London Fenchurch Street.

Betting markets show Nigel Farage as the strong favourite to win the upcoming Clacton by-election, with odds of 1/9 suggesting a roughly 90 percent chance of victory. Count Binface is priced at 5/1, giving him an outside chance as betting experts note the possibility of shifting odds. With major parties withdrawing, attention turns to turnout and the potential influence of protest votes in the unusual contest in the Essex coastal constituency.

A crash forced the closure of the B1014 Benfleet Road between Shipwrights Drive and Alderwood Way, causing slow‑moving traffic and diversions. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes while authorities responded and awaited further information from Essex Police.

Engineering works will disrupt c2c train services across Essex for three evenings from July 13 to 15, affecting the Basildon, Ockendon and Rainham lines. Diversions to Liverpool Street, shuttle services, and skipped stations are planned, with no trains running to Fenchurch Street during some overnight periods. Tickets will be accepted on London Underground and DLR routes, and passengers are advised to check schedules and allow extra travel time.

Hollister will open a new store at Lakeside Shopping Centre on July 9, offering its latest clothing collections and launching with a promotional tote bag for early customers. The expansion is part of broader development plans at the centre, highlighted by management as a key step in bringing more major brands to Essex.

A signalling fault at Maryland has blocked some lines between Stratford and Ilford, causing major delays and cancellations on Greater Anglia routes, which must share tracks with slower Elizabeth Line services. Network Rail has sent a response team to repair defective equipment. Intercity and regional services from London Liverpool Street to destinations including Norwich, Ipswich, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester Town and Braintree are affected. Passengers are advised to allow extra travel time, use alternative services if necessary, and may claim compensation for delays over 15 minutes.

Authorities allow pubs and bars across England and Wales to remain open until 5am so fans can watch England’s 1am World Cup match against Mexico, with Castle Point Borough Council refunding venues that had already paid for temporary licences. The government frames the relaxed licensing rules as support for the hospitality sector, and residents are encouraged to back local pubs during the early‑morning fixture.

A former history teacher from The Cornelius Vermuyden School in Essex was permanently banned from teaching after a Teaching Regulation Agency panel found he engaged in non‑consensual sexual conduct with two adult women. Although Essex Police investigated, no criminal charges were pursued due to evidentiary standards. The panel cited unacceptable professional conduct, limited remorse and lack of insight, recommending a lifetime prohibition that was accepted by the Secretary of State. The school and police issued statements confirming the investigation process and safeguarding commitments.

An unexploded 6‑inch naval shell was found offshore at Shoebury Beach, prompting HM Coastguard and Army explosive ordnance disposal officers to secure the area and carry out a controlled detonation. Safety cordons were set up while the device was moved and destroyed, and authorities thanked the public for cooperation while reiterating warnings not to handle suspicious items and to alert emergency services instead.

Multiple roadworks across Southend, Leigh and Hadleigh, including closures on the A1015 and delays on the A127 and A13, have caused widespread congestion. Gas main works, water company works, and additional utility projects are contributing to gridlock, with motorists urged to expect long delays and consider alternative routes.

A burst water main has closed the eastbound side of Victoria Road in Chelmsford between New Street and Riverside Retail Park, causing delays while repairs are underway. Westbound traffic remains open, and motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes.