THE Chief Constable of Essex Police, B J Harrington has made a statement following the conclusion of the trial of men involved in the human trafficking ring that led to the deaths of 39 people, who bodies were discovered in Thurrock.

He said: "Fourteen months ago, in October 2019, I made a promise.

"I promised Essex Police would do everything in its power to catch and convict the criminals responsible for the horrific journey of 39 Vietnamese people who tragically died on our shoes.

"I wrote that promise in a Book of Condolence at the offices of Thurrock Council, a few streets away from where those men, women and children were discovered.

"That book is eight thousand miles away in Vietnam near the families of those who died, but I am proud to say that Essex Police and our partners have kept our promise.

"Today, we have secured justice for 39 innocent people and their loved ones.

"We've caught and convicted the ringleaders of the criminal group which brought them to our county. They thought they could commit the most appalling crimes.

"They thought they could hide and lie and they thought they could get away with it.

Today, we proved them wrong.

"Officers, staff and volunteers from Essex Police, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked tirelessly on this investigation since the early hours of 23rd October 2019.

"I cannot thank them enough for their dedication.

"I also want to thank the families of those 39 victims, they have kept their dignity and grace in the most unimaginable of circumstances and under the burden of inconsolable grief.

"There's another big thank you I need to do – and it's to the members of the public, and not just those here in Essex.

"There were a lot of people who were scared to come forward"

"Whether you picked up the phone to us, spoke to an officer in person, or left us an anonymous tip – your help has been invaluable in putting together some of the pieces of this puzzle.

"I know there were a lot of people who were scared to come forward – maybe scared of what would happen if they talked to the police.

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being so brave and for placing your trust in us.

"You've helped us to stop the perpetrators of this vile crime from harming anyone else.

"The men who were found guilty today made their money from misery.

"They tried to hide what they were doing. They attempted to evade detection. They thought they could cover up their crimes.

"They have been proved wrong on every count.

"There are 39 families still grieving. Their pain may never go away. I hope, together, that we have offered them some comfort with today's result. Our thoughts will always be with them."

Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Stoten, who headed up the investigative team, also made a statement following the trial of four men.

He said: "This story began just over six thousand miles away. Every man, woman and child, who died in the lorry trailer came from Vietnam.

"They may have started their journeys at different times but, ultimately, they were all following the same false promise of a better life.

"Today, I think of the families and friends of the victims"

"They put their trust in people they hoped would deliver them safely to our shores.

As we all now know, sadly, that's not how their story ended.

"Today, I think of the families and friends of the victims.

"The victims were mothers, fathers, son, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends to many. Two of them – Dinh Dinh Binh and Nguyen Huy Hung were just 15 years old. Every victim has a family who misses them terribly.

"Their families and friends won't hear their voices again and they won't receive pictures of their lives in a new country.

"Their family, many of whom are still thousands of miles away from where I stand today, have suffered an unimaginable loss.

"I know this because my team at Essex Police have heard their stories, and carefully recorded their testimony at first hand.

"The people found guilty today made their money from misery.

"They knew that what they were doing was dangerous, but they didn't care.

"They tried to hide what they were doing. The tried to cover their tracks. Some fled the country, thinking that we could not get them back.

"Today, they have been proved wrong on every count.

"Since our investigation started, on October 23rd last year, more than 1,400 people have worked on this case.

"Officers, staff and volunteers from Essex Police, from Police forces across the UK and from national and international law enforcement collected hundreds of thousands of pieces of pages of evidence – which has delivered justice for the victims and their families.

"I am sure that this will be a case we will never forget.

"I'd like to speak directly to the families now: We are one step closer to getting you the justice you deserve and I hope that it will offer some solace.

"Our thoughts are with you, today and always."