Intouch October 2023
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**Chelmsford Police Success**

Over the past few weeks our local police have been carrying out intensive “hot spot” operations in Chelmsford City Centre. This has been highly successful and 53 arrests were made within a three week period. 

 

There had been an uptick in crime and anti-social behaviour during August. As soon as businesses and local residents made me aware of their concerns I asked the police for urgent action. Chelmsford has a reputation as a peaceful place and it is important that this is maintained. 

 

There has been an increase in visible local patrols, knife arch operations, and joint operations with the British Transport Police, Trading Standards and other local partners as well as senior support from Essex Police.

 

Arrests have been for a variety of offences including burglary, theft and shoplifting as well as assault. Eight people have been arrested for drug dealing. Community Behaviour Orders and a Dispersal Order have also been used. 

 

There are now record numbers of police officers in Essex and it has been good to see this mobilisation of action. Action will continue. I hope this sends a clear message that crime and antisocial behaviour is not welcome in Chelmsford. 

 

I joined the police on patrol and will continue to do so. Thank you to all the local residents and businesses who continue to be vigilant and report incidents to the police. These reports are extremely helpful in targeting action and making arrests.

Photo: Patrolling with Community Officers from Essex Police)

**New Medical Centre On Its Way**

Today, I laid the first brick for the new state of the art Medical Centre in Beaulieu Park. This facility will include consulting rooms for doctors, paramedics and nurses and will take pressure off other surgeries across Chelmsford. 

 

Building work has also started to expand capacity at Sutherland Lodge surgery in Great Baddow.

Photo below: (Brick Laying Ceremony in Beaulieu)

**Feedback from Party Conference**

I have spent the first part of this week at Party Conference. Everyone’s conference experience is different. It is always packed. I took part in a variety of different events and meetings. 

 

On issues affecting children, I met up with the Internet Watch Foundation, an incredible organisation that I have championed for many years. They do world leading work to tackle online child sexual abuse. I met with Oxfam and young people from the Send My Friend to School campaign and joined a round table to discuss mental health issues with the Mental Health Foundation. I have been working with them to protect children from online pornography and tackle online content that glorifies self harm and eating disorders. 

 

I also spoke with the NSPCC about the project I have been working on to help girls and young women who have been victims of sexual abuse and give them confidence to report the crime. 

Photo below: (Susie Hargreaves Cheif Executive of The Internet Watch Foundation)

On local matters I met with Greater Anglia to discuss our train service.

Photo below: (Jamie Burles & Johnathan Denby from Greater Anglia) 

I met with Cancer Research UK and experts on dementia. A number of Chelmsford residents had asked me to meet the National Deaf Children’s society, I had a good chat with them about the upcoming British Sign Language GCSE and other issues. I met with Colin, a navy veteran and his guide dog Diamond - thank you to Guide Dogs UK. 

 

I spoke with many overseas delegates including Ukrainian MPs with whom I discussed the support for wounded veterans. The Chelmsford based charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, has been helping them. 

 

The Moroccan Ambassador told me how deeply grateful they were for UK support after the recent earthquake. He wanted to pass on his thanks to search and rescue teams, including a team from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. 

Photo below: (Cancer Research UK)

I took part in a number of panel discussions in Energy and Climate matters as a member of the Energy Security and Net Zero select committee. I am pleased that the PM announced that the Government will accelerate the planning process to enable new renewable energy sources to join the grid more quickly as it takes far too long. This has been a big ask from the sector. With the consumer organisation Which? I had discussions on how to help people save energy, and I met the energy ombudsman on the need for energy companies to rebuild trust. 

 

I met with car manufacturers and discussed electric vehicles - I hope the new deadline for rollout will be one that enables more people to benefit from lower running costs of vehicles. There were plenty of suggestions on how to achieve this goal.

Photo below: (The Future of Offshore Energy CWO)

So all in all it’s been a packed few days. 

Finally, if you haven’t yet filled in my local survey, please do! Your feedback helps me to get action on important local issues. Please click the link below to fill it in, it takes just 60 seconds!


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As ever please do email me if you have issues or feedback. 

 

With best wishes,

 

Vicky.


**The Rt Hon Vicky Ford MP**

Promoted by Christine Garrett on behalf of Vicky Ford MP both of 88 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1RF.

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