News in Basildon

ESSEX Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington recently handed out a number of his commendations to officers.

Among recipients was a team of four from Basildon.

"I BELIEVE there are still people in the community who know what happened but have not yet come forward" – that's the message from the detective leading the investigation into the murder of Terry Leeks in Basildon.

It's three months since 46 year-old Mr Leeks died. He was assaulted in Northlands Park in the early hours of 11 July. To date, nine people have been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

SPECIALIST officers have arrested four people as part of a second co-ordinated strike against drug supply in south Essex in the last week.

Shortly after 6.30am yesterday (Tuesday 12 October), officers from Op Raptor South and Essex Operational Support Group, supported by the Essex Police Dog Unit, Eastern Region Special Operations Unit and the National County Lines Coordination Centre, carried out the operation in Basildon.

FIREFIGHTERS rescued a woman following a road traffic collision involving three cars in Basildon.

Crews from Basildon and Hawkwell attended Whitmore Way today (Sunday, 10 October) at 2.22pm.

A BASILDON taxi driver has been recognised for her courage after being serious hurt by a drunken driver she challenged.

Lynda Wilson has been awarded an Essex Chief Constable's Commendation for courage and bravery after her public-spirited actions led to her sustaining life-changing injuries caused by a dangerous driver who was later jailed.

AUDITIONS will be taking place next week and next month for Rare Productions' 'Fame the Musical' which will be staged at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon, in March.

They will be held at the Towngate on Thursday, 14 October (5.30 to 7pm for eight to 12-year-olds and 7 to 8pm for those aged 13 to 21) and at Billericay School on Sunday, 7 November (1.30 to 2.30pm 8-12 years and 2.30 to 3.30pm 13-21).

COUNCILLORS have agreed part funding of £58,000 to support the BasildON Working Group's phase two application to the Arts Council England funded Creative People and Places Programme.

Basildon Council is a member of the Working Group which is led by arts organisation, Things Made Public.

DESPITE a road closure, residents in Basildon will still be able to use a local recycling centre this weekend.

The closure will be in place along Pitsea Hall Lane across the weekend (Saturday, 9 and Sunday 10 October) due to work being carried out by Network Rail on the level crossing.

COUNCILLORS in Basildon have agreed to invest £300,000 in youth services as part of a grant funding agreement with Essex County Council for the provision of services for young people in the borough.

Essex County Council Youth Service (ECCYS) provides informal education, social and personal development opportunities for young people aged 13 to 19 years in Essex or up to 25 for those with a learning or physical or other disability.

FIREFIGHTERS have highlighted the importance of having a working smoke alarm after a device alerted an elderly woman to a fire in her home today (Monday, 4 October).

Two crews from Basildon Fire Station were called to a house fire in Long Ridings in Basildon at 12:43pm.