Page 3 - Vulnerability Unit News Today

Bleed control packs have been donated to Uttlesford secondary schools as part of a campaign to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.

There were more than 130 crimes involving weapons in south Essex in one month, police data has revealed.

CHIEF Constable of Essex Police has been re-appointed for a further three years after making a “significant difference for the people of Essex”.

Almost 800kg of weapons were recovered and 14 knives were seized in an Essex Police week of action aimed at tackling violent crimes.

A new hard-hitting short film wants to educate the public on the dangers of County Lines drug gangs. It was filmed across greater Essex.

Police are trying to raise awareness of cuckooing - Credit: Archant Vulnerable people in Essex are being targeted by County Lines drug gangs who take over their homes and use them as bases for drug dealing. Essex Police is launching Operation Trespass to help raise awareness in communities and help victims find help.   The tactic, known as cuckooing, sees the gang manipulate people to gain access to their properties; often specifically targeting those with drug and alcohol addictions, financ...

A MUM was kept prisoner by a knife-wielding gang that ran a drug house in her flat.

The gang had been in the flat for more than a month when a series of events brought Clare’s situation to the attention of the police. She continued: “One day I came out of my room and one of (the gang) had a picture of my daughter hanging out of his pocket. It was the school picture on the keyring for my front door keys and my car. “I chased him down the stairs, out onto pavement and ripped them out of his pocket. He smacked me on the head and I fell to the floor. The lump on my hea...

A MUM was kept prisoner by a knife-wielding gang that ran a drug house in her flat. Clare – not the woman’s real name – is a mum to grown up children but has suffered from addiction and mental health issues in her life. As a result of Clare’s ex-partner’s drug use, a gang from outside of the county occupied her flat and used it as base to deal drugs from. The gang took Clare’s car, and she became a prisoner in her own home, scared for her own safety and too frightened to cal...

"The gangs would previously use Airbnb, guest houses or hotels to set up but now they’ve been forced to use individuals’ houses. “When we find dealers on the streets from London, they’ve generally all got somewhere they’ll go back to. Covid has made travelling on the train more risky for them, so they prefer to find a local base to operate from.” Spotting the signs that cuckooing is taking place is one way that the public can look out for their neighbours and help stop this criminal...