A FORMER Brentwood councillor turned Talk TV host has set out his ambitions to return to politics as both the first Reform UK member on the borough council and the first Essex mayor reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Russell Quirk has decided to stand as…

HARLOW Council has delivered a dramatic turnaround, transforming its housing repairs service and cutting the longest standard repair waiting times from 270 working days to just 25. At its Cabinet meeting on Thursday 11 September 2025, Cabinet will consider the new Housing Repairs Policy, which…

POLICE are appealing for any information, witnesses and victims to speak to us following multiple robberies in Harlow today (Saturday 6 September). Officers received reports regarding teenagers being robbed of their mobile phones in the town and have arrested three people this afternoon – two…

A MAN remains in custody on suspicion of assault after incidents of anti-social behaviour and harassment in Epping yesterday evening (Friday 5 September). Officers attended the Bell Hotel after a number of people were reportedly throwing projectiles including flares and firecrackers and carrying out harassment…

“YOU are joining a force focussed on getting justice for victims of crime.” That’s the message from our Chief Constable to the 69 new officers who took their oaths today ready to start keeping your neighbourhood safe. Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington Harrington was joined by…

VOLUNTARY and community sector leaders across Essex have said the forthcoming reorganisation of local government is a rare opportunity to unlock the full potential of communities if the voluntary and community sector (VCS) is included as a strategic partner from the outset. Sixteen infrastructure organisations,…

AN investigation has concluded that prison and probation staff did all they could to prevent an offender’s fatal drug overdose reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Jason Patmore had an extensive history of criminal convictions, which were predominantly of a violent nature, a report from the…

CAN you help us find 45-year-old Lisa Blagg? She’s gone missing from Broxbourne and we need to make sure she’s safe as soon as possible. Lisa was last seen in the area of Old Nazeing Road at about 4pm on Friday 5 September but hasn’t…

A DISPERSAL order was in place in Epping and a man has been arrested in connection with anti-social behaviour in the town this evening (Friday 5 September). The order is in place to prevent the public from being harassed, alarmed or distressed as well as…

HIGH Wych Scarecrow Festival. Full details below.

A HARLOW resident who dumped rubbish in Redbridge before moving to Birmingham has been successfully prosecuted for fly-tipping. Martin Stokes, age 34, was ordered to pay more than £2000 in fines after being found guilty of fly-tipping twice in Redbridge. Stokes was living in Moorfield,…

Update: A man has died following a collision on the A414 between Chelmsford and Ongar. We were called shortly before 3.30am today (Friday 5 September) with a report of a car which had left the road and struck a tree. Sadly, a man in his…

AN Essex County Council email urging staff to speak out if they feel “unsettled” by flags being put up across England has been described as “bonkers” by the authority’s deputy leader reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Conservative councillor Louise McKinlay has used her mayoral campaign…

Chris Vince, MP for Harlow, has welcomed today’s announcement from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of up to £30.7 million in funding for a new Connect to Work scheme, which will support disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to move closer to employment. The…