Mar 10 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 2 of 22The IPCC investigation discovered two pieces of evidence, which could have been crucialwent missing.A swimming pool thermometer which appears in photographs of the scene, and adetached door handle, were never seized by police or forensically tested.It was therefore not been possible for police to establish whether or not the implementswere used to cause Stuart’s injuries.Speaking at the time of the IPCC ruling, IPCC Commissioner David Petch said: “There areabsolutely no grounds to support allegations that officers acted corruptly.The view that the entire investigation was incompetent is not borne out by the bulk of theevidence.“But undoubtedly there were failings in some aspects of the investigation.”The security around the scene in the first few hours should have been more rigorous.As a consequence there are lingering fears that because the integrity of the scene was notproperly preserved, important evidence may have been lost.”Potential witnesses should have been removed from the house and grounds at theearliest opportunity.Yet some people were allowed to stay and tidy up in the house.“Forensic examinations of some items found at the scene were not carried out as promptlyas they should have been - although this was remedied."Essex Police "apologised unreservedly" to the family and friends of Stuart Lubbockfollowing the publication of the IPCC report.Police appeal follows break-in29th March 2010DETECTIVES are appealing for information following a burglary in Thornwood.Between Friday, February 19 and Sunday, February 21, thieves broke into a property inBrookfield by forcing a rear UPVC door and stole various items of jewellery from within.In particular, detectives ask that people keep a look out for a pair of gold cufflinks, as it isbelieved only a few were ever made.The cufflinks have an old green engine wheel engraved on them and a small chain oneach of them.Anyone with any information should contact DC Georgette Beckett on 0300 333 4444, orCrimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.Man dies in M11 crash29th March 2010POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a driver died when his car crashed on the M11at North Weald.Officers were called to the southbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 6 at about5.25pm on Sunday following reports that a blue Ford Ka car had veered off the road andoverturned on an embankment.Fire crews from Harlow, Loughton and Epping and an air ambulance were called but thedriver, a 40-year-old man believed to be from south London, was pronounced dead at thescene.The southbound carriageway was closed for more than three hours while the vehicle wasrecovered and police carried out an initial investigation.Anyone with information about the crash should contact PC Bob Colbert at Chigwell RoadPolicing Unit on 0300 333 4444.Hundreds turn out for hospice run28th March 2010HUNDREDS of runners turned out for the annual St Clare Hospice 10k fun run.Organisers say more than 500 runners registered for today's race which started andfinished at the hospice in Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood.The event is a favorite with local running clubs and those taking part in next month'sLondon Marathon.A full report will appear here later.Bogus caller play earns award03/05/201027th March 2010THE Roding Valley U3A group has received a High Sheriff’s Award for Community Safety.The award recognises the branch's drama group, formed by Janet Whitehouse, whichperformed a series of humorous sketches ‘Feeling Good - Keeping Safe’ to show olderpeople how bogus callers can target people and how they can be kept out of homes.The production was launched to stakeholders before ten performances were staged atvarious older peoples' clubs until last November.Mrs Whitehouse said: "All the performances were well received and always at least oneperson had been a victim or knew someone who had."She added: "We did this in partnership with Epping Forest Safer Communities Partnershipwho gave Roding Valley U3A a grant and other practical support."Either Safer Communities manager Caroline Wiggins or one of her colleagues gave ashort talk at the end of each performance to reinforce the messages, especially to use adoor chain.As a result of the drama group's efforts Safer Communities are now receiving telephonecalls from older people to check up on callers as was highlighted in the drama.Mrs Whitehouse said: "Most of the members who formed the drama group had not doneany amateur drama before but felt it was such a worthwhile project they wanted to getinvolved."They had to rehearse regularly because doing it over such a long period, people went onholiday and those left had to take different parts."Roding Valley U3A enables people no longer in full-time employment to come together tolearn and share interests.The monthly speaker’s meeting is held in Theydon Bois.For more details, ring Doug Harryman on 020 8508 3454 or Janet Whitehouse on 01992