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Essex Police have appeared to contradict Reform-run Essex Council’s suggestions that parts of the county are unsafe due to asylum seekers being hosted at the former RAF Wethersfield base.
On Friday, Essex County Council’s Cabinet member for Education, SEND and Skills – and Basildon mayor – Cllr Sam Journet announced on X that Reform UK Essex has launched “Operation Vanguard”. He claimed it would “[put] security personnel on the streets of Colchester, Chelmsford and Braintree to help protect residents and provide a visible presence.”
“We were elected to put residents first, and that is exactly what we intend to do.”
In September last year, Cllr Journet was arrested on suspicion of stalking, harassment and assault in Basildon Council offices. He was not charged and subsequently faced no further action. The police admitted error in not seizing his devices at the time.
Wethersfield Airfield Asylum Accommodation (AAA) currently accommodates “up to” 800 people who are seeking asylum, according to the council. The Reform-run authority claims the Government is “seeking an increase in the number of people who can be accommodated at the site to 1,245, potentially increasing numbers by up to sixty additional people per week.”
Cllr Journet’s apparently AI-generated graphic promoting ‘Operation Vanguard’ shows a cobbled high street at dusk, lined with period buildings, shopfronts, cafés and a Union Jack flag. Reform UK’s branding is prominent, followed by large headline text saying “Security on Our Streets”, and beneath that “Protecting Residents in Colchester, Chelmsford, Braintree”.
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Three white people in matching dark navy uniforms have “Communty Security” printed on their chests in the image.
Over the weekend, Cllr Journet shared multiple images of brown and black people with their faces pixelated, who were apparently asylum seekers, to promote the scheme. In one he writes: “Every day, illegal migrants are being bussed into town centres across Essex. Residents are entitled to ask what that means for their community. Reform UK’s Operation Vanguard is about prevention, visible security and protecting women and girls.”
But asked about the scheme, an Essex Police spokesperson appeared to slap down the suggestions that the areas being targeted by the new council ‘Operation’ are unsafe.
“Braintree, Colchester, and Chelmsford town and city centres are safe places, and all three areas see less crime than three years ago.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams regularly patrol through the town centres each day, including at key times, for reassurance and to deter people from committing crime or anti-social behaviour,” Essex Police told Byline Times.
The police spokesperson added: “Where incidents do take place, we respond and act robustly. We continue to work with our partners, including local authorities, to ensure the public feel safe.”
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The spokesperson did not endorse the council scheme – and in fact appeared to distance the force from the Reform project. The spokesperson said: “The most effective way to achieve this is by addressing concerns or points of tension within our communities and to resolve them through this joined-up approach.
“We have a dedicated unit based at RAF Wethersfield who is there to support the local surrounding community and deal with issues linked to the site.”
Half-Cooked
A decision notice published by Essex Council also appears to contradict the council’s official press release and the claims of Cllr Journet.
The decision was signed by leader Cllr Harris on 28 August but remains subject to a three-day call-in that does not expire until 3 September – meaning it can’t take effect until after the scheme was publicly announced. For ‘stakeholder involvement’ the box is blank.
The decision means the council agrees to the drawdown of up to £150,000 from the Community Innovation and Improvement Fund reserve in 2026/27 “to fund a visible security operation in the public realm in Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester for a period of three months, to maintain a visible presence to reassure the public.”
The council will “enter into a contract for the delivery of the security operation.”
And in a clear sign Essex Police were not consulted, it commits to: “Develop[ing] a working protocol with Essex Police that will be adapted based on experience during the trial period.”