COVID-19 and Anti-Social Behaviour guidance around Halloween and Bonfire Night
So, it’s that time of year again! - Although this year should be quite different.
Traditionally, around the 5th November would see organised public firework displays throughout the county, which unfortunately now will have to be postponed due to government guidance around public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to this, we may see more people having private displays in their gardens. We would like to politely remind the public residing in Essex that from Saturday 17th October 2020 it will not be permitted to attend other households. This will not apply to residents living within the Southend or Thurrock Council areas, however the ’Rule of Six’ will still apply.
Details can be found here
Different restrictions now apply dependent upon where you live in the UK.
Trick or Treat?! - Will be different this year as ‘Rule of Six’ applies and some government officials advice to effectively ‘Cancel’ the tradition
This will make sense to many as obviously children will not know if the person answering the door is self-isolating or infectious and could transmit the virus. However, there may still be people going out.
We would ask retailers to challenge anyone buying products that might be used to commit Anti-Social Behaviour, such as eggs and flour, glue or balloons, especially if they are young people. We would expect there to be less sales around Trick or Treat merchandise.
Anti-Social Behaviour affects many people around this time of the year, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable. In some cases, throwing eggs and flour ‘bombs’ at houses can amount to criminal damage due to the amount of time and effort it might cost to clean the premises. These incidents can also cause alarm and distress to some.
Public Events: There can not be any gathering of more than 6 people either inside or outside. The only exceptions to this remain weddings and funerals.
CRIMESTOPPERS LAUNCH COVID HOTLINE
The Crimestoppers COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) has been set up by HM Government in partnership with Crimestoppers to enable individuals to report fraud within the public sector during COVID.
The hotline allows those with information to anonymously report their concerns in the knowledge that this information will be dealt with.
Giving Crimestoppers information in relation to fraud means we can help protect the public purse from individuals and companies seeking to undermine the stimulus schemes brought in by Her Majesty’s Government to assist people during COVID. Contact anonymously and free of charge on 0800 587 5030 or use the form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org if you have any information or suspicions about any potential crime involving the public sector.
If your information is in relation to the furlough scheme, please visit the HMRC Fraud website or if your information is in relation to benefit fraud, including universal credit, please visit www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud.
To report fraud within the NHS, please use the NHS Counter Fraud Authority online form.
Updates on Fuel Theft, CBOs and COVID-19 work
Fuel Action update: The Fuel Action campaign is going from strength to strength and have a positive impact on the reduction of fuel theft around the county.
Fuel forecourts across Essex find themselves victim to offenders filling their vehicles with fuel and then driving away without making an attempt to pay. A high percentage of these offenders are involved in other offences and it is vital we work with businesses to prevent offences and bring offenders to justice.
Through intelligence analysis and reported offences, we have identified the most vulnerable locations and we are working with the forecourts to try to prevent offences by deploying a number of different tactics ranging from posters, banners and informative pump stickers, to additional patrols and the introduction of reporting and guidance packs.
The guidance packs are designed to inform victims of policing and prosecution procedures so victims have an understanding of how investigations are progressed and what elements are required for a successful prosecution. It will also aid transparency in the service.
The campaign launched on 8th September and I am pleased to announce that since that date, offences have fallen in all the locations we are working with. Some have reported ZERO offences in the past month!
Criminal Behaviour Orders and reducing re-offending: Research would suggest that most incidents of theft against businesses, especially retail, is committed by repeat prolific offenders. These offenders not only cause financial loss to businesses, but also take up valuable Police and criminal justice time with the repeat arrests, processing, prosecu-tion and court appearances and sentencing.
There needs to be a number of processes put in place to tackle this; rehabilitation, education and training, restrictions on movements. A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) is applied for by police and considered by a Magistrate. The Order can suggest a number of limitations are placed on a re-peat offender, to restrict or stop their offending. These conditions might include not being able to entre any retail premises within a particular area, not to be in any particular chain of shop or not to gather with others identified to be known offenders. CBOs can be placed on a person in-definitely if justified to do so, but they usually last between 3 and 5 years.
We have been working closely with the East of England Co-Op to stop a known offender entering any of their premises. The offender was not only committing theft but had also been threatening towards staff. He appeared at Basildon Magistrates court and received a CBO, which will be in place for 5 years.
We have been working on CBO applications in the Tendring, Colchester and Basildon districts and have asked other districts to identify their local offenders so we can assist with measures to help limit or stop their offending.
The Fuel Action campaign is going from strength to strength and have a positive impact on the reduction of fuel theft around the county.
Fuel forecourts across Essex find themselves victim to offenders filling their vehicles with fuel and then driving away without making an attempt to pay. A high percentage of these offenders are involved in other offences and it is vital we work with businesses to prevent offences and bring offenders to justice.
Through intelligence analysis and reported offences, we have identified the most vulnerable locations and we are working with the forecourts to try to prevent offences by deploying a number of different tactics ranging from posters, banners and informative pump stickers, to additional patrols and the introduction of reporting and guidance packs.
The guidance packs are designed to inform victims of policing and prosecution procedures so victims have an understanding of how investigations are progressed and what elements are required for a successful prosecution. It will also aid transparency in the service.
The campaign launched on 8th September and I am pleased to announce that since that date, offences have fallen in all the locations we are working with. Some have reported ZERO offences in the past month
COVID-19 Fines issued in Essex: According to intelligence from the public then quantified by officers attending locations of reports, unfortunately, some hospitality businesses have not been adhering to the government COVID guidelines.
A wedding venue in Mid-Essex organised and approved a wedding party of 80 guests, going against government guidance and indeed putting the safety of people attending at unnecessary risk. A £10,000 fine was issued to the organiser.
Responding to reports from the public, officers attended a pub in North East Essex and a fined was issued to the landlord for not adhering to social distancing guidance inside the pub.
Unfortunately these are not the only examples of non-compliance and there are many reports being received by the public regarding the hospitality sector. WE WOULD URGE BUSINESSES TO READ AND THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND THE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES AND COMPLY.
We understand that these are unprecedented times and we will always adopt the ‘4Es’ approach to all situations of suspected non-compliance;
- Engage: Officers speak to people and try to establish their awareness and understanding of the situation. They may ask people about their circumstances if they are out in public. Officers give people the opportunity to express their views. They listen and take people’s responses into account.
- Explain: We will try to educate people about any personal risks they are taking, they will explain the social distancing regulations and highlight the responsibilities we all share. Officers treat people with dignity and respect. They highlight their trustworthy motives by explaining wider social factors, such as the risks to public health and the NHS by not sticking to social distancing
- Encourage: We may need to guide individuals, suggesting they return home. Officers can encourage people to act reasonably, emphasising that staying alert and safe (social distancing) saves lives. They demonstrate consistency in their approach and are willing to explain why they are requesting a certain course of action
- Enforce: Officers may remove a person to the place where they live, using reasonable force only if it
If you would like any further information or advice please contact the Essex Police Business Crime Unit at business.crime.unit@essex.police.uk
Follow us on Twitter…. @EsBusinessCrime