Territorial police force for Essex; led by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington (since Oct 2018); oversees collaboration with Kent Police
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election with 22,239 votes, increasing his majority. All major parties did not participate. Farage has declined to attend the count, citing concerns of disruption and a planned event instead.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed questions about a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire and related undisclosed liabilities as Reform UK seeks to regain momentum ahead of Clacton by-elections. Several outlets report that discussions about Reform’s finances occurred before his return to frontline politics, with investigations paused as he stands in the by-election.
Two teenagers are in hospital after a small articulated loading vehicle was taken under unauthorised control and collided with people in Chalkwell Park, Southend. An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy remain in custody as investigations continue; the injured girl is in a critical condition.
George Dennis, 11, died after a collision with a lorry on Epping Road, Chipping Ongar. The driver from Derbyshire is in custody; tributes pour in as the community raises funds. Police appeal for dashcam footage as investigations continue.
Stephen Bear has been jailed for 16 months at Chelmsford Crown Court for breaching a restraining order by posting about Georgia Harrison on social media. A fresh order bars him from contacting Harrison, and the case highlights the sentencing judge’s emphasis on harassment as a real crime.