News in Maldon

Essex Police have issued a countywide appeal for information on the whereabouts of a wanted man.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We want to speak to Joe Madel, 26, in connection with the theft of two Range Rovers."

Essex County Council (ECC) has made some key changes to services after most areas of the county - including Maldon district – moved into Tier 4 restrictions on Sunday (20 December).

These are as follows:

Maldon district businesses can apply for loans of up to £150,000 from a new countywide £1million loan fund to help see them through the pandemic.

The new fund has been ring-fenced for businesses in the Essex county area and opens on Sunday, 1 January.

Radio Caroline will be broadcasting the Queen's Christmas Message on Christmas Day this year - 56 years after being turned down for being an unauthorised broadcaster.

On 1 December 1964, David Block, publicity officer for the then pirate radio station, contacted the BBC to request a copy of the Queen's Christmas message. He was told that, despite Caroline having more than 12 million listeners, his request could not be entertained because Caroline was a pirate radio station, and to come back 'if and when' he could provide 'evidence of credentials as representative of an authorised broadcaster'.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall over the Maldon district in the 24 hours leading up to the morning of Christmas Eve.

The wet conditions are expected to start at around 6am on Wednesday, 23 December, and carry on until 6am on Thursday, 24 November.

MP John Whittingdale has spoken about the "frightening" rise in cases that led to the Government deciding to put Maldon district - along with most parts of Essex - under new Tier 4 restrictions.

In a statement released yesterday evening (Sunday, 20 December) Mr Whittingdale said: "I know how distressing it was for people in Maldon and Chelmsford to hear that new Tier 4 restrictions were being imposed on London and the Home Counties from Sunday morning.

The festive season may not be all that we hoped – but Julie Taylor from the Café at St Peter's Hospital is glad that 92 of the hampers she has been putting together have already been given out.

The Christmas hampers included new hats, scarves, socks, gloves and blankets, a meal, chocolate, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and treats. Where appropriate, some included a mini bottle of wine.

The following are statements released by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Christmas Transport Tsar, Sir Peter Hendy on Tier 4 travel this morning (Sunday, 20 December):

"It is incredibly important that people follow the guidance, stay at home and do not attempt to travel. Our focus must be stopping the spread of this virus, protecting lives and our NHS.

The following is a message from Maldon District Community Volunteer Service (CVS) Director, Sarah Troop:

"Everyone at the Maldon coronavirus response team shares the community's frustrations at the latest announcements from central Government.

Essex Police have released a statement following news this afternoon (Saturday, 19 December) that most of the county, including Maldon district, will move into the new Tier 4:

"As of 00:01 on Sunday 20 December), most of Essex moves into Tier 4 of the Government's Covid-19 restrictions. This will have an impact on what we can and can't do.