Police 'failed' domestic abuse victims

Following a report into the failings of Essex Police in dealing with domestic violence the HMIC have published a series of recommendations.

Police officers.

Four arrested over fatal stabbing

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenager was stabbed to death at a house party.

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Maria Stubbings murder: Report identifies police failings

Maria Stubbings was murdered by her ex-partner

Essex Police has been criticised for failing to protect a woman who was murdered by her ex-partner.

Maria Stubbings, 50, was stranged by Marc Chivers at her home in Chelmsford in 2008.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission says the force missed opportunities to protect her.

Her family is now calling for a public inquiry into how the police deal with domestic violence.

Marc Chivers has been jailed for life

In a statement, Essex Police says it is acting on the report's recommendations.

Chivers was jailed for life for Ms Stubbings' murder.

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Crimewatch appeal generates new calls

Essex police say they've received a number of calls after a TV appeal over the house fire that killed a family of six in Harlow.

Dr Sabah Usmani and her five children died after the blaze last month. It's now being treated as murder.

In a fresh appeal on the BBC's crimewatch programme last night, police asked for information about a laptop stolen from the house on the night of the fire. Detectives described the case as tragic and unprecedented for the force.

For more on this story visit the ITV Anglia News website.

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Crimestoppers offering reward for Harlow fire information

Crimestoppers have said it would pay the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

This is an absolutely heartbreaking incident which has devastated and shocked the entire community.

It is impossible to imagine how Dr Shakoor, who survived the fire, is coping with the loss of his family.

Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers so this truly awful crime can be solved.

– Ann Scott, the Crimestoppers' eastern regional manager

Ann Scott added that people had "nothing to fear" by contacting Crimestoppers as all witnesses could remain anonymous.

£10,000 reward offered in Harlow fire investigation

A £10,000 reward is being offered for information on an Essex house fire that killed a mother and her five children.

The blaze killed Sabah Usmani, her daughters Hira and Maheen and her sons Sohaib, Muneeb and Rayyan in Harlow last month.

Police are keen for information on a group of young men seen outside the house on the night of the fire.

Harlow fire investigation

Police in Essex are speaking to two young people, seen throwing away a laptop bag on the night of a fatal fire.

It's been revealed the house in Harlow - where Sabah Usmani and her five children died - was burgled on the night of the blaze.

Officers think several items, including a laptop, were taken after the family had gone to bed but before the fire was discovered.

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