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Essex Live - Southend

The popular Essex seaside area trying to shake off county's ‘crime capital’ status

Millions of people visit the coastal spot each year

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Thief who drove stolen car on the wrong side of major Essex road jailed

The driver of a stolen car that crashed after police deployed a stinger on the A127 during a chase has been jailed for four months.

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Essex Police officer suspended following probe into alleged criminal offence

An Essex Police officer has been suspended amid a criminal investigation. Hearing chaired by Chief Constable BJ Harrington set for 28 Feb 2026.

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Council agrees major south Essex port expansion creating 6,000 new jobs

THURROCK councillors have signed off on plans for a major expansion of the Port of Tilbury, paving the way for 6,000 jobs

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Appeal for witnesses after 'hit and run' on major Southend road

A Southend Victoria Avenue 'hit and run' on Monday which left a person in hospital is being investigated by police, who are appealing for witnesses.

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Hundreds of thousands recovered from south Essex fraudster behind £226m scam

The SFO has recovered £283,321 from Essex fraudster David Ames, jailed for a £226m Harlequin Group timeshare scam targeting UK investors and pensioners.

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Poundland shut suddenly in Basildon shopping centre weeks before 'closing date'

Locals expressed sadness after Basildon Poundland was surprisingly closed in Eastgate Shopping Centre

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Taxi driver investigated after 'driving off' in incident in Essex city centre

A Colchester woman says a taxi driver hurt her in the city centre after dropping her off and then drove away.

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Arrest after car crashed into south Essex shopfront

Essex Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a man from Canvey was arrested on Saturday when a car crashed into a shopfront.

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RECAP - Slow traffic as south Essex road blocked following crash

Climmen Road in Canvey is currently blocked due to a crash.

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Cockroach infestation forces care home to shut kitchen

Ashbrook Care Home in Collier Row has been told it "risks closure" after a cockroach infestation was discovered at the premises.

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Delay warning on all c2c services this morning following passenger disturbance

c2c trains between Barking and Upminster face delays after a passenger disturbance closed the line. Disruption expected until 10:30am. Delay Repay applies.

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This 'super obvious' hack will fix your Amazon Fire TV Stick buffering issues

Buying a Fire Stick is a great way to upgrade your TV so you can stream the latest shows, play music and even access games.

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Royal Mail warns of delivery delays across UK - full list of 44 postcodes affected

Royal Mail has warned of delivery delays in 44 postcodes across the UK - see the full list of areas affected.

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Local businesses named finalists at Clean & Green Awards 2026

Regional editor Richard Porritt introduces the finalists for the East Anglia Clean & Green Awards 2026.

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Severe delays on major Essex road due to repair works from lorry crash

Commuters face major M25 delays near Brentwood after a lorry crash damaged barriers. One lane closed between J28 (A12) and J30 (Lakeside). Allow extra time.

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South Essex council's £13m contract for agency staff 'essential' to deliver services

Basildon council has been criticised by a local who cannot understand why £13 million was allegedly spent on agency staff

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'Truly special': Charity football match in memory of south Essex schoolboy Harry

A "truly special" charity football match in memory of a Rayleigh boy who died tragically from a sudden brain aneurysm last month was held on Sunday.

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Suspects in Basildon shooting 'were using phone masts serving the crime scene'

Nelson Buckland, Donny Archer and Johnny Smith were all using phone masts serving Crays Hill at the time of a shooting last April, Basildon Crown Court heard.

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VR arcade 'unlike anything in Essex' set to open doors in Basildon next month

A virtual reality "arcade" is set to open at the Eastgate shopping centre as soon as next month bringing an experience "unlike anything in Essex".