Steeple Bumpstead Parish Council

Camping Close Football Pitch

We would like to advise residents that the recently imposed hosepipe ban does not apply to the work currently being carried out on the football pitch at Camping Close.

We have received confirmation from our contractors, DG Landscapes, that the use of a hosepipe is permitted for the maintenance and establishment of the recently laid turf.
Thank you for your understanding.

SERIOUS INCIDENT - Camping Close Multi Sports Area and Village Hall

Monday 6th July 2026

At approximately 22.13 on Monday 6th July 2026 three individuals, two male and one female were seen walking across the Camping Close from The Boyton Hall area of the village. At the Multi Sports Area they built a bonfire from wood debris from the Camping Close and set fire to it on the Multi Sports Surface. This fire has caused considerable damage to the playing surface.

The three that started the fire left the area via Tanyard’s/Bellropes/Poppy Fields area at 23.30.

Both males appear to have had no tops on, one of the males was tall/thin with black socks and white trainers and is 9-12 inches taller than the other two. The girl wore trousers and had shoulder length hair, picked up a long coat/gown when leaving and put it on and the girl’s coat went below the knee.

At approximately 23.30 they left as the fire brigade arrived and on hearing the fire brigade one of them obviously forgot something ran back to the fire and picked something up.

Also, on the Camping Close an attempt was made to break into the Football Shed, this was unsuccessful, but further CCTV images show the three entering the Village Hall area at the same approximate time.

In addition to these, and again very serious, incidents took place where they tried to start fires very close to the Village Hall.

It goes without saying Arson is a very serious crime.

The Parish Council has reported the incidents to the police as we believe we have substantial evidence for the police to pursue the crime.

Attached are images taken by CCTV and these have been submitted to the police. Currently in cooperation with the Village Hall committee’s CCTV, the recordings are being examined for further image evidence.

The individuals concerned would have returned home with clothes smelling of smoke and we believe the individuals concerned walked from the Bower Hall area.

Can we please ask residents to examine your own CCTV or recordable doorbells and look at your recordings between the times of 22:00 and midnight for any images that might help with the ongoing police investigation and contact our Parish Clerk by email [email protected] with any information or images.

Someone will know who these people are and it is in your interests to either contact the Parish Council or the police so the matter can be bought to a satisfactory conclusion.

As a Parish Council we work extremely hard for your village and this criminal damage is going to cost a considerable amount to repair, that is your amenity, your money and your council tax that these teenagers have simply decided to vandalise. What is incredibly sad is the fact that this play area was built recently and because of criminal action by three teenagers will have to be repaired at a cost to all residents.

Please help us and the police find the three vandals concerned in these crimes.

Thank you
Steeple Bumpstead Parish Council

The Moot Hall

The Parish Council would like to advise that the Moot Hall has been temporarily cordoned off following the discovery of small pieces of roof tiles falling off.

The Trust is assessing the necessary repairs, but as the building is listed, the process may take some time to complete.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you for your understanding.

Unfortunately, these bags have been dumped next to the bottle bank at the Village Hall.

Please be aware that this area is monitored by CCTV.

We kindly ask everyone to dispose of their waste responsibly and help keep our beautiful village clean and tidy.

Thank you.

Community Police - Lets Talk - Community House, Birdbrook
11:00AM - 12:00PM, Fri 05 June 2026
The Street, Birdbrook, Halstead

Essex Police have now changed how they publish crime information:-

"This map uses data from local forces. The hotspots give only a loose idea of where crimes happened. Actual locations and details of crimes are kept anonymous.
Please note that not all crimes that occurred can be shown on the map.
187 incidents of Crime occurred in Essex Police could not be mapped to a location and therefore are not on this map."

We would like to encourage residents to respond to the Braintree District Council Dog Control Consultation and potential Public Spaces Protection Order. With regards to keeping dogs on leads; some people have raised concerns that a 'Public Space' is not adequately described and would like to advise that a rural public right of way (e.g. in and around our rural fields) is also considered a public space.

What is a public space:- A public space is a place that is open and accessible to the general public.

https://www.braintree.gov.uk/council/public-spaces-protection-order-pspo-consultation

The consultation closes at midnight on 15th June 2026.

With kind regards

Cllr. Diana Garrod

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) – Braintree District Council Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

Residents are being reminded to have their say on a new strategy aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries across Essex.



More than 2,000 people have already responded to the public consultation on the draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy.



In 2025, 60 people lost their lives on Essex roads – the highest figure since 2016. Almost half of the deaths were related to speed. Hundreds more people were seriously injured.

Essex County Council has developed the new draft strategy in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), which includes Essex Police.



It aims to support SERP's shared Vision Zero ambition that nobody should be killed or seriously injured on Essex roads by 2040.



The strategy proposes new safer speeds based on how streets are used, rather than taking a blanket approach. Speed limits would be considered in a case-by-case and community-led way.



Planned areas of focus include working with communities to introduce 20mph speed limits on people‑focused streets and reducing speeds on roads around schools to help protect children travelling to and from school.



Nicola Foster, Chair on the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, said: "We have already heard from more than 2,000 residents, which shows just how important road safety is to people across Essex.



"Excess speed continues to be a major factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.



"The Essex Safer Speeds Strategy is the single most important tool to realising Vision Zero and reducing traffic speeds to ensure no one is killed or seriously injured on Essex roads by 2040.



"We want to hear from as many people as possible before the consultation closes, so we would encourage anyone who hasn't yet responded to take a few minutes to share their views."



The public consultation closes on Sunday 26 April. A final drop-in consultation event is being held in Wickford High Street from 10am to 2pm on Thursday (23 April).



To have your say, visit:
https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-safer-speeds-strategy





Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling



Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

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T: 01787 460473

E: [email protected]

Essex Safer Speeds Strategy - Essex County Council - Citizen Space Find and participate in consultations run by Essex County Council