A new model for Essex Police will be introduced from today (September 1) including the introduction of local policing teams working around the clock.

Each of the 10 policing districts in the county will now fall under the direction of a local Chief Inspector, who will now have a team of officers responsible for responding to and investigating crime and other community concerns, known as as 'Local Policing Teams' and operating on a 24/7 basis. 

The changes will mean 500 officers will work under the direct control of local police commanders.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: "Local policing is at the very heart of how I believe the public want policing delivered in the county. The changes we are making demonstrate our commitment to local policing.

"The development of local teams, supported by the new policing hubs, recognises the fact that communities want officers with good local knowledge who really understand their local issues.

"Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) visibly patrolling their beat continues to be a key part of the policing style in Essex. I understand and agree with the importance residents and businesses attach to this local presence."

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, added: "I welcome the introduction of a new model for local policing which will ensure high levels of local responsibility for responding to and investigating crime and ASB incidents.

"I'm pleased that Essex Police has been consulting widely with local stakeholders about these plans.

"I'm delighted that PCSOs remain an integral part of the local policing model. I know how highly they are valued by local communities, and the visible presence they provide through their regular patrol beats is invaluable.

Today also sees the introduction of dedicated domestic abuse investigation teams, code named Op Juno, across the county. 

Specialist officers and staff will oversee all domestic abuse investigations as well as work closely with partner agencies ensuring support for victims and a co-ordinated response to those responsible. 

More women go on diets in Essex than in any other location in the country, a study claims.

In the UKMedix.com survey, of 2,841 men and women across Britain between the age of 18 and 55, 24 per cent of Essex women admitted dieting.

More men in Newcastle admitted dieting than in any other UK location, with 31 per cent admitting the same.

Sarah Bailey, of UKMedix.com, believes two reality TV shows, The Only Way is Essex based closer to home, and Geordie Shore in Newcastle, are the causes.

She said: "Essex has gained a bit of a reputation in recent years as a glamorous and appearance-centred hot spot, so it's no surprise that they are the UK's top diet spot for women.

"It's also interesting that men from Newcastle are the UK's biggest dieters, showing that maybe the high profile reality TV shows set in both has an impact on the residents."

Top female dieters:

1. Essex (24%)

2. Brighton (15%)

3. London (13%)

4. Manchester (11%)

5. Sheffield (9%)

The survey also revealed that on average women gave up on their diets after 12 days, while men persevere for about six weeks.

Ms Bailey added: "It would seem that women are more likely to give in to their cravings."

A woman in her 50s was taken to hospital after a multi-vehicle crash at the Miami Roundabout in Chelmsford today.

Police, two ambulances, and a paramedic car were called to the scene on London Road at around 8.40am today (September 1) to the collision, which involved a white VW Golf, a blue VW Golf, a while Skoda Superb and a white VW Polo.

The female casualty suffered neck and back injuries and was driven to Broomfield Hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be serious at stage.

JOE Dunne has parted ways with Colchester United by mutual consent, the club have confirmed today.

Dunne has been in charge at the U's for two years, having sustained the club's status in League One, despite major financial cuts to his playing staff.

However, the U's currently lie second from bottom in the table, having only got one point from their opening five games. 

The U's board will be busy to find a replacement for Dunne, with an important clash away to Walsall on Saturday.

TWO fine second goals ensured Braintree Town deservedly returned from the Impact Arena on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Alfreton Town.

It added three more Conference Premier points to continue their recent good run with the main talking point being the impressive debut by new signing Simeon Akinola.

The 22 year-old forward, signed on a two year deal late last week from Harrow Borough, came on as a substitute on 70 minutes to link up well with Sean Marks, also a substitute at the same time.

His clear pace and ball control will clearly be an asset to the Iron in attack whether he plays as a striker or wide player and he clearly enjoyed his debut.

It was certainly far from an attractive game for the 442 spectators - the club's lowest gate for a long time - but the Iron put in a workmanlike performance and really never looked in danger of losing.

Kicking up the infamous slope in the first half, the Iron twice early on Jordan Cox had gilt edge chances to have scored but was denied by some vigorous defending while minutes later at the other end keeper Nick Hamann pulled off a fine save to deny Tom Shaw.

The key to the Iron victory was keeping a clean sheet up until the interval and it worked thanks to some sound defending where Alan Massey was outstanding all afternoon.

The home side should have been reduced to ten men midway through the half when Jake Sheridan appeared to blatantly head-butt Iron defender Mitch Brundle in an off the ball incident but fortunately for the home forward neither official that end saw it.

In footballing terms the first half was poor at this level but the second half saw a vast improvement with the Iron dominating and the closest the home side came to scoring was on 54 minutes when Tom Shaw saw his dipping shot tipped over the Iron bar by Hamann.

Seven minutes later the Iron pressure paid off when from a Dan Sparkes left wing cross the unmarked Kenny Davis sent a looping header back over the whole defence into the far corner of the net.

It was no more than the Iron deserved and their dominance improved further on 70 minutes when Devonshire made a double substitution in attack bringing on Akinola and Marks who both set about causing the home back line further grief.

The Iron should have had a penalty in the 75th minute when Akinola put James Mulley through only for the winger to be appeared to be brought down in the area by Lathanial Rowe-Turner but referee Nick Love refused to give the spot kick.

The Iron made the game safe on 78 minutes when from a long Sam Habergham throw-in on the left Marks caused mayhem in the home area with a header that fell behind but only into the path of Sparkes who drove the ball low into the corner of net giving keeper Cameron Dawson no chance.

In the end three comfortable points for the Iron who though will face a much sterner stiff this coming Saturday when Bristol Rovers come to Cressing Road for their first ever appearance.

Braintree: Hamann; Brundle, Habergham, Massey, Clerima; Mulley, Issac, Davis, Sparkes; Cox (Marks 70), Walker (Akinola (70). Unused subs: Pentey; Smith.

BRAINTREE Town boss Alan Devonshire has been tipped as the front-runner for the vacant Colchester United manger position.

Joe Dunne has parted ways with the U's this morning following a poor start to their League One campaign.

And now former West Ham United midfielder Devonshire, who has done wonders since taking over at the Iron in 2011, could be in line to take the role.

The 58-year-old guided the Iron to sixth in the Conference Premier last season, and currently lie 13th after making a mixed start to the 2014/15 campaign.

And reports are that Devonshire could be set for his first ever managerial role in the Football League.

Three forthcoming festivals at Hylands Park in Chelmsford have been axed at short notice after the organisers declared the site as not "acceptable to put on our concerts".

UK Events and Production has scrapped Last Night of the Proms, starring Aled Jones, due to take place on Sunday (September 7) the Flashback Festival, pencilled in for September 13, and Wet Wet Wet, who were due to perform the following day.

The Flashback Festival was set to feature the likes of Marc Almond, From the Jam, and Billy Ocean.

Furious ticketholders took to the Essex Chronicle Facebook page to tell of their surprise and confusion.

In a statement, UK Events and Production indicated the V Festival might have contributed to the decision to cancel the concerts.

A spokesman said: "This is the first time that we have cancelled an event in the history of our trading so the decision was not taken lightly.

"The site was recently used for the V Festival and after a recent site visit we do not feel that the area within the park we are using is acceptable to put on our concerts.

"UK Events prides itself on putting on quality outdoor concerts and we feel that going forward with this event would harm our reputation and potentially spoil consumers experience.

Anybody who has purchased a ticket can get a refund from the ticket agency.

"UK Events would like to apologies for any inconvenience this has caused but we feel that this is the responsible thing to do under the circumstances," the statement added.

A Chelmsford City Council spokesman said: "We were informed of UK Events and Production's decision to cancel these concerts on Friday.

"We are naturally disappointed, but the final decision rests with them. Ticket holders should contact their point of sale."

BRAINTREE Town chairman Lee Harding says there has been no approach for manager Alan Devonshire from Colchester United.

The Iron's manager has been tipped to takeover at the Weston Homes Community Stadium after Joe Dunne left the club this morning. 

The U's are set to hold a press conference at 5.30pm today, where the new manager is expected to be named. 

Asked whether he had been approached by Colchester about Devonshire, Harding simply said; "No."

Dunne had been in charge at the U's for two years but the club have made a poor start to the season, leaving them second from bottom in League One, with just a point from their first five matches.

WITHAM Town suffered their first defeat of their Ryman Premier season with a 2-0 loss to fellow promoted side VCD Athletic.

Goals from Nick Reeves and Lea Dawson were enough to give the bottom-of-the-table side all three points.

Nick Blue, the home keeper did not have a real save to make throughout the game, as his defence dominated.

And the first goal did not help Witham's cause, when they gave away a free kick on the edge of the area after just three minutes. Reeves scored with a shot that took a wicked deflection off the town wall and gave keeper Martyn Guest no chance.

The VCD defence was on top throughout, with Witham unable to get a shot on target.

Although there were also some good displays in the visitor's defence, they could not stop VCD scoring a second goal when Dawson broke through and scored in the 87th minute.

BURNHAM Ramblers were made to pay for being reduced to nine-men as they crashed out of the FA Cup, losing to Hadleigh United 3-1.

L'Heureux Menga and Tyler Hayes both saw red for second yellow cards, as Bertie Brayley's men suffered defeat.

Hadleigh gave the ball away in midfield and keeper Ben Nower had to make a great save from Menga after 10 minutes.

The visitors made a vital breakthrough with a goal after 18 minutes. It came when David Lorimer tackled strongly to win possession before putting Scott Chaplin through to beat the keeper in a one to one situation.

Five minutes later Richard Logan set up Liam Scopes who netted with a low shot just from just outside the box inside the keepers right hand post to increase Hadleigh's lead.

Burnham were reduced to ten men when Menga was given a red card following a second yellow card after a dangerous foul on Scopes, Menga having previously received a yellow for persistent dissent.

Hadleigh were coming under increasing pressure but Burnham suffered a second sending off when Tyler Hayes received a second yellow on the hour.

On 65 minutes Nower made a brilliant save from a free kick before Matt Belcher did well to keep out a shot from Lorimer two minutes later. Chaplin the hit the post as Burnham's nine men were coming under more pressure.

Liam Burgess scored for Burnham with a free kick from the left touchline which that everybody missed and the ball ended up in the net at inside the far post to give some hope for the home side.

At the other end Chaplin was tripped in the penalty area but Duane Wright's effort to fire into the top corner from the spot cleared the crossbar much to the delight of the home supporters.

Lorimer hit the bar in stoppage time, but then Logan and Wright combined for Chaplin to net Hadleigh's third in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

COLCHESTER United have announced Tony Humes will replace Joe Dunne as first-team manager.

The 48-year-old has been Head of Youth with the U's since June 2009, having previously worked at Wrexham's Centre of Excellence. 

But after the announcement of Dunne's departure this morning, the club have moved quickly to move Humes to take over the senior team.

Humes enjoyed a fifteen year career as a player. Having started out at near neighbours Ipswich Town, he made 120 appearances for the Suffolk side, before moving to Wrexham in 1992.

Other names that had been mentioned in the running for the job were Braintree Town's Alan Devonshire and Paul Ince.

First up for Humes will be an important trip to Walsall, who currently lie one place above Colchester in 22nd place in League One. 

A 34-year-old has been arrested after allegedly assaulting another man on the Stone Bridge in Chelmsford High Street.

Essex Police and the ambulance service was called to the bridge at about 2.30pm today following reports that the man had struck out.

The suspect was then arrested and taken to Chelmsford police station in New Street where he was asked to explain events.

A police spokesman said: "Police attended the Stone Bridge in the High street at around 2.30pm today following reports that a man had been assaulted in the street.

"A 34-year-old man from Chelmsford was arrested at the scene.

"He is at Chelmsford police station helping officers with their inquiries."

THE council is accepting bids from landowners for large developments across the district, meaning new villages could be built around Braintree.

The authority began a "call for sites", which gives prospective landowners and developers the chance to put forward land for homes and businesses to be included in the local plan – a document which sets out future house-building and growth.

This bidding process is the first step in the creation of the council's new local plan.

The initial attempt was abandoned in June following new guidelines from the Government that told many local authorities to drastically increase in the number of new homes they build.

Cllr Lady Patricia Newton, cabinet member for planning and property at Braintree District Council, said this could see an extension of villages like Great Notley and even include new settlements.

"Not every site which is put forward will be developed. Undoubtedly there will be proposals which are unacceptable, but this process will give us a long list of potential sites for consideration, ahead of consultation with the public," she said.

"With the need for more homes, we will need to look at larger sites, which could include urban extensions like Great Notley, or new settlements, as well as extensions to existing towns and villages.

"The council will be working with key stakeholders such as the NHS, education and highways authorities to ensure that vital community facilities such as schools, GP surgeries and roads and public transport links are in place to support existing residents as well as new communities."

Chelmsford City Council is investigating reports that dogs have fallen seriously ill after being poisoned after being taken on their walks in the city's parks.

One has reportedly died and another remains in a serious condition shot after heading out in Hylands Park.

Vets in Chelmsford have since been deluged with calls, with Maldon Road Veterinary Surgery confirming some of their clients quizzed them after taking their dogs out in Hylands.

A post shared on the AA Dog Rescue Facebook page warned owners to be on alert if walking their dogs on the site, but there is no suggestion at this stage that it was caused directly by the walk in Hylands.

The Chronicle understands Blackmore House & Jackson Veterinary Surgery has treated one of the ill dogs.

In seven steps - what to do if you think your dog has been poisoned (courtesy RSPCA)

1. Stay calm and remove dogs from the source of poison
2. Contact your vet immediately; tell them when, where and how poisoning occurred. If appropriate, take the packaging, plant or substance to the vet. Don't expose yourself to any harm.
3. Follow your vet's advice.
4. Never attempt to treat/medicate dogs yourself. Some medicines for humans and other animals may be poisonous to dogs.
5. Never attempt to make dogs vomit. Do not use salt water as it's extremely dangerous.
6. If skin/fur is contaminated, wash with mild shampoo and water, rinse well and dry.
7. Keep dogs away from other animals to avoid cross-contamination.

Essex County Council has welcomed the Airports Commission's rejection of Boris Johnson's proposal for a new airport on an island on the Thames Estuary. 

Nicknamed 'Boris Island', the plan for the Isle of Grain was rejected by chairman Sir Howard Davies due to cost and environmental concerns. 

The Commission's report said that "there are environmental hurdles which it may prove impossible, or very time-consuming, to surmount," and that "the economic disruption would be huge."

Essex County Council leader David Finch said the government should now switch its attention.

He said: "I am pleased that Sir Howard Davies has finally ruled out the Boris Island plan which has always been pie in the sky.

"The Government needs to focus on delivering sensible growth at airports like Stansted and Southend while investing in the Heathrow hub we know the UK economy needs."

Essex County Council had previously condemned the plans as not being "practical, desirable, or viable" in the council's own submission to the Davies Commission.

THREE Chihuahua puppies have been stolen from a family's back garden in Chelmsford.

The dogs were taken on Thursday, August 14 at around 8.30pm, when thieves entered the garden of the property in Burghley Way.

Following extensive enquiries to trace those responsible, Police are now appealing to the public for information.

The puppies are three months old. Two are black and white, the other is brown.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Pete Carter at Chelmsford Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.

The FA is bracing itself for a record low attendance for England's international friendly against Norway at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

The Scandinavians head to these shores for the first time in 20 years to face Roy Hodgson's side, with the game kicking off at 8pm.

A maximum of 40,000 people are expected at the stadium, with swathes of empty seats expected to greet the players in their first game after the World Cup.

Newly appointed captain Wayne Rooney will lead the line, with new Arsenal signing Danny Welbeck expected to feature. Fabian Delph and Jack Colback are among the relative newcomers.

England will play Switzerland in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying game in Berne on Monday.

ITV's coverage of the game will start at 7.30pm

IT TOOK just 11 days for Daphne and Geof Nichols to fall in love, and 11 months for them to tie the knot at a church ceremony on August 21, 1954.

Now 60 years later that "love at first sight" is still going strong as the happy couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday last week with family and friends at the Okeley Care Home in Corporation Road, Chelmsford.

Surrounded by congratulatory cards, including messages from the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron, Daphne, 86, said: "As soon as we met we just knew; it was love at first sight.

"It's a complicated life we've had as I've always been ill, but he has always been with me and he will never leave me."

It was while working as manageress at Sketchley's cleaners in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, during the 1950s that Daphne, a prolific knitter, encouraged one of her customers to bring in the stepson she kept bragging about to meet her.

And when Geof, who worked for the same firm at their headquarters in Hinckley, walked through the door the pair were immediately smitten.

"I walked into the shop and just thought 'by gum she's beautiful'. She was gorgeous with lovely curly black hair," said great-grandfather-of-one Geof, 81.

He then proceeded to cycle the journey between the two towns every fortnight to visit his wife-to-be, before the pair wed just 11 months later.

He said: "It was absolutely straightaway. We just knew very, very soon after that it was right."

But despite overcoming an often "rough ride" together as Daphne battled arthritis, tinnitus, and epilepsy among other conditions, the couple laugh at the suggestion of any secret to their long and happy union.

"We are total opposites, we argue like cat and dog, we don't agree about anything but we love each other just the same," said Geof, whose appointment as a verger at Chelmsford Cathedral 26 years ago led to the couple's move to Essex.

The deterioration of Daphne's health in recent months led her to take up the offer of a permanent bed at the Okeley Care Home in February, while Geof remains at the pair's bungalow alone in nearby Woodhall, Chelmsford.

Daphne, who also celebrates 60 years of membership at the Mothers' Union this year, said: "It wasn't easy at first to live apart; it does take time to settle."

Geof now visits at least three times a week, while Daphne is kept occupied with a flurry of visitors and her goal to knit 200 scarves for loved ones, with just three remaining to hit her target.

The couple have nothing but praise for staff at the home, who threw them a party with 25 family and close friends.

Essex could soon be home to the first elected Ukip MP in the country after a poll showed the party's candidate has a considerable lead ahead of the Clacton-on-Sea by election.

Former Conservative MP Douglas Carswell resigned as from his position to join Ukip last week and according to a survey by Lord Ashcroft, now has a 32-point lead on his previous party in the constituency.

The poll published on the ConservativeHome website showed that Ukip had 56% of support compared to the Tories 24%, while Labour had 16% ahead of the byelection on October 9.

Nearly six in ten who voted Conservative in the last general election said they would switch to Ukip, with more than two thirds of those people saying a large part of their decision was that Carswell was "the best candidate locally".

The Tories meanwhile are yet to select a candidate for the upcoming byelection although Boris Johnson has ruled himself out of contention.

A choice is unlikely to be made by the party for another ten days.