Upbeat, November 2012 - Essex Police

News 5
A river runs through it ...
A BBC radio presenter gave his
listeners a taste of high-speed policing
when he joined an Essex Police Marine
Unit patrol on the River Thames
Ray Clark, who presents the popular BBC Essex Breakfast
programme, swapped the comfort of his Chelmsford
studio for the speed and spray of a rigid inflatable boat
(RIB) capable of speeds of more than 60mph.
Kitted out in a drysuit and lifejacket, Ray joined
Pc Shane Burke and Marine Unit reservist Sgt Jason
Lane, from the HQ Driver Training School, for a brief
taste of a patrol during the London 2012 Olympic
Games when Essex, Kent and the Metropolitan Police
joined forces to monitor all ships and leisure boats
Pc Shane
Burke, Ray
Clark and Sgt Jason
Lane on Marine Unit
RIB on the Thames near
Tilbury Docks and (inset)
Ray Clark describes the
scene to radio listeners
as the RIB reaches more
than 50mph
Pictures by Bill Stock
using the Thames. Joining the boat at Tilbury landing
stage, Ray recorded a running commentary as Jason
and Shane showed how the marine units worked
closely with the London port authorities to monitor
the movements of a wide range of vessels, ranging
from massive bulk carriers and cruise ships to small
sailing yachts and motor boats.
And as helmsman Jason eased forward the throttles
of the RIB’s two 225hp outboard motors to quickly
check the various ships moored between Tilbury and
Purfleet, Ray continued to commentate above the
roar of the engines and whistle of the slipstream.
His fascinating report and his reminiscences of
some of his slower ferry crossings of the Thames
between Tilbury and Gravesend were broadcast the
following day.
A life on the ocean wave
Four special constables joined the Marine Unit for the
first time earlier this year and have since notched up
more than 150 duties, totalling more than 1,300 hours
They have already undertaken some basic marine
training with the aim of becoming crew
for all four main patrol vessels – three rigid
inflatable boats (RIBs) and the 42ft launch
Alert IV.
As well as crewing general patrols and
warship escorts, the Specials also helped the
unit train for the London 2012 Olympic Games
and played a part during the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee River Pageant on the Thames in June.
But the work of a marine special constable is
not only based on the water, they also patrol the
marine community by road.
These high-visibility patrols also help with
intelligence-gathering for Project Kraken – which
focuses on the reporting of unusual activity
or behaviour within the maritime community
believed or suspected of being linked to acts of
terrorism or serious organised crime – and they
offer specialist crime prevention advice.
Acting Sgt Dawn Smith said: “The work of the Marine
Unit Specials has already proven to be invaluable. They
have already contributed a lot to daily tasking and
general duties.”
“Our commitment to patrol covers the coastal and
inland waterways of the entire Essex coastline, from
Crayford Ness and the Metropolitan Police border on
the River Thames to Manningtree and the Suffolk Police
border on the River Stour, as well as 12 miles out to sea.
“This covers roughly 400 miles of coastline just for
Essex and, when you consider we are also part of the
Joint Marine Unit with Kent Police, our patrol area
could extend to nearly 700 miles. With this in mind our
Specials are a fantastic asset to our growing roles.”
HMS Ocean is escorted
up the Thames, top
A Marine Unit RIB
patrols the Thames
during the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee River
Pageant, above
UPBEAT November 2012