TWO Polish police officers have completed their week of supporting Essex Police with its community engagement work in Harlow.

2nd Lieutenant Bartosz Czernicki and Chief Sergeant Dariusz Tybura – of the International Co-operation division of the Polish State Police, based in Warsaw – worked alongside the Harlow community policing team between September 13 and 20.

Essex Police is investigating the death of Arkadiusz Jozwik, who was assaulted in The Stow on Saturday August 27, and a separate incident in which two Polish men were assaulted in Kitson Way on Sunday September 4.

Officers have been speaking with residents from all sections of the community as part of their ongoing patrols and engagement work, and Essex Police accepted an offer by the Polish State Police to send two officers to support our engagement work with Polish residents.

Chief Superintendent Sean O’Callaghan said: “The officers felt it was really beneficial to speak with the Polish community in Harlow and during their visit they were also able to meet the Polish congregation of Our Lady of Fatima Church and the Saturday Polish School.

“Their visit also gave us as the local policing team reassurance that we have been actively engaging successfully with the Polish community.

“We will continue to liaise with and work in partnership with the Polish State Police.”

Col Rafal Batkowski said: “We are pleased with our collaboration with the local British police to date.

“We discussed the progress in the two investigations regarding the killing and the assault on Polish citizens in Harlow, and the engagement with Poles living there.

“The two Polish officers met with a very warm welcome from both British citizens and the Polish community.

“The working visit will be subject to further review aimed at developing long-term solutions which will increase the sense of safety of Poles in the UK.”