Keeping Essex roads safe: A week of positive police engagement and enforcement

Last week, Essex Police have been out across the county as part of a collaborative road safety initiative, focusing on speed enforcement and community engagement with the aim to make roads safer for everyone—drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children.

Over the course of 7 days, a total of 504 speeding offences were recorded.

Police patrols are a vital part of road safety enforcement. They help ensure that speed limits are respected, dangerous driving is deterred, and communities feel protected. Enforcement isn’t just about issuing fines—it’s about preventing harm and saving lives.

Road safety means creating an environment where everyone can travel without fear of injury or danger. It involves:

• Safe speeds

• Responsible driving

• Awareness of vulnerable road users

• Visible police presence

  
  

Between 4 and 10 August, officers were deployed across rural and urban areas, reaching communities that may not often see a police presence. The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive:

“Seeing you here is only a positive. You’re helping to keep my family safe, especially my children. Thank you.”– Local resident

“Great stuff, so good to see you. Slower speeds are only a good thing for us.” – Cyclist

Residents waved, gave thumbs up, and came out to speak with officers—showing that enforcement with empathy and education builds trust.

Here’s where officers were active and what they found:

• North Essex - 70 offences recorded in Sandon, Manningtree/Mistley, Lawford

• West Essex - 70 offences recorded

• Waltham Abbey (Sewardstone Road) – Top speed: 54mph in a 30mph zone

• Loughton (Goldings Hill) – 45mph in a 30mph

• Oakwood Hill – 42mph in a 30mph

• Abridge (Ongar Road) – 40mph in a 30mph

• Shenfield (Chelmsford Road) – 51mph in a 30mph near a school

• South Essex - 100 offences recorded in Southend and Rochford

  
  

  Central Essex

• A130 – 54 offences recorded and highest speed was106mph in a 70mph zone

• Basildon - 111 offences recorded by the Basildon NPT team in three locations of Golden Jubilee Way, Broadmayne and South Mayne

  
  

  Enforcement has widened the footprint of road safety across Essex, especially in rural districts. It’s a reminder that speed limits save lives, and that visible policing makes communities feel safer.