New Countywide Project Launched to Help Essex Businesses Raise Awareness About Domestic Abuse
A new project has been launched which aims to help small and medium sized businesses raise awareness about domestic abuse among employees.

The Domestic Abuse Awareness in the Workplace Now (DAAWN) project, funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex in partnership with Essex Police, Essex Chambers of Commerce and Practical HR Ltd, aims to engage with the business community to help them raise awareness about domestic abuse among their employees.

A short project pilot was held in 2022 which saw 33 SMEs take part, with awareness information made available to 2,498 employees.

This information included short videos for business leaders, managers and employees. Written information was also provided, including a policy, signposting to specialist agencies and information on healthy relationships.

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PFCC Essex Restorative Mediation Service Wins Prestigious Lord Ferrers Award
The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Essex Restorative Mediation Service (ERMS) has won a prestigious award at a ceremony held on Thursday 12th October at Buckingham Palace.

Run every year, the Lord Ferrers Awards commends outstanding contributions to volunteering in policing in a range of categories, including Police and Crime Commissioner volunteers who demonstrate a significant and sustained contribution to policing.

Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst said: “I am hugely proud of the ERMS team and our volunteers for receiving the Lord Ferrers Volunteer of the Year Award. The role they play in helping to provide mediation between victims and offenders makes a real difference by helping the responsible person to recognise the impact of their actions by putting a face to their crime."

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Business Crime Awareness Week October 16th 2023
Essex Police Business Crime Team have been conducting a week of operations as part of Business Crime Awareness Week. The week of action is an opportunity to bring together police and partners to tackle the key issues affecting businesses in their communities.

During the week Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst attended a Business Crime Strategic Board held in partnership with Essex Police and the Essex Chambers of Commerce. At the meeting Mr Hirst heard from the Business Crime Team at Essex Police who had been visiting town centres across the county including Colchester, Basildon and Chelmsford.  As part of awareness raising they spoke to shop workers, visited victims of burglary and repeat victims, and gave out advice on security improvements.

The Business Crime Team at Essex Police also conduct business crime awareness days throughout the year and want to hear from businesses about their views on policing and crime in their working environment.

If you own or work in a business, please complete the short questionnaire. The information returned will help police plan more localised responses.