Chelmsford Weekly News

Essex Police charge two people over linked knife-point robberies in Loughton on August 7 and August 27; suspects face robbery and handling stolen goods charges.

Applications for secondary school places have now opened, with figures showing Beaulieu Park School was hardest to enter this year.

British Transport Police appeal for witnesses after a man was allegedly hit with a bottle during an attempted robbery outside Harlow station on August 29.

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd had admitted to two counts of assault, having previously been jailed for manslaughter following the death of a Clacton woman.

A much-loved children’s soft play centre has closed its doors for the final time after 17 years at Lakeside in Essex.

Two contestants from Essex have entered the Big Brother house as the show returned to ITV last night.

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering three city centre stores and a bank in Chelmsford for two years.

Essex County Council have deployed six private security guards within the county, as part of its new Operation Vanguard initiative.

Overnight road closures will begin tonight on a stretch of the A12, between Chelmsford and Colchester. The works are expected to be in place for 30 days.

The 2026 Summer Beer and Cider Festival in Chelmsford has raised a record-breaking £9,423.27 for Farleigh Hospice.

Police are appealing for information following a break-in at a business in Harlow last week.

Four people have been arrested after a series of attacks in Harlow last week.

Parents say they are forced to pay hundreds of pounds in rising school bus fares due to a lack of places at their local school.

Families say they are being “crippled” by the costs of sending multiple children to school after a hike in bus fares.

Mersea resident Peter Shilton and wife Steph have spoken to the Gazette about a forthcoming fundraising night to support their charity, Shilton’s Silverlining.

Essex recorded 102 fraud by abuse of position reports in 2025/26, as City of London Police data reveals £93.8m stolen nationally, often from older people.

Essex Police appeal for information after reports of a man exposing himself in Danbury between July 18 and September 9. Images, video and witnesses sought.

Police are searching for missing 70-year-old Jeanette Smith, last seen in Harlow on September 13 near Hamstel Road. She was on foot; call 999.

Fallen tree blocks New Street near Chelmsford Cathedral, closing access to Waterloo Lane car parks as council teams work to clear the road and pavement.

Essex Police officers were called to Acacia Road in Maldon yesterday afternoon, following a crash that left one car overturned.