BBC Local Live: Essex

Our live coverage for the week has now come to an end. 

Here's what we've covered on Essex Live today:

• A teenager arrested in connection with the death of a Polish man who was killed with a single punch in Harlow has been rebailed
• Essex Police has warned that anybody who takes part in a new clown scare craze could be prosecuted
• Baroness Chakrabarti is to step down as chancellor of the University of Essex
•  A 21-year-old man has been found not guilty of manslaughter after he killed a colleague with a single punch at a work's Christmas party in Harlow

We'll be back on Monday from 08:00 with more stories from across the county. 

Have a great weekend.

Ipswich-based seed firm Thompson & Morgan has hired security guards to keep an eye on a giant pumpkin overnight.

It is hoped the vegetable, which has been grown by Hyde Hall at South Woodham Ferrers in Essex from a seed bought for over £1,200 by Thompson & Morgan, will set a new size record.

It's due to be weighed in Southampton on Saturday...

There'll be little change from earlier through this evening and overnight, with often cloudy skies and the odd shower possible. 

Whilst the moderate easterly breeze will gradually ease, it will remain chilly with a minimum temperature of 11C (52F).

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The cloudy skies could potentially bring a few further showers through tomorrow. Some brighter or sunny spells are likely as it peaks at 16C (61F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

Feel like there have been dark clouds above your head all day today? Don't worry - it's been like that everywhere in Essex it seems... 

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A 22-year-old man from Basildon has been arrested during raids as part of an investigation into a suspected £2m tobacco smuggling fraud. 

HM Revenue and Customs says officers seized more than seven million suspected illicit cigarettes in Norfolk earlier this week. 

A Dagenham man was also detained. Both men have since been released on police bail. 

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Sadly, padded velour chairs at bus stops won't be rolled out across the borough of Southend as the town's council has just confirmed to me that the four below had nothing to do with them.

The mystery continues.

We're not sure who did it or why they did it - but this bus stop in Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, certainly makes a change from the cold metal benches you usually have to sit on.

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Essex Police's press office has said it does "not have capacity to provide details of every incident which has been linked to this craze or involved clowns this week. Please accept this as our only statement on clown incidents at this time".

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Acting Ch Insp Darren Deex said: "Essex Police is aware of a number of reports from concerned residents relating to people dressed as clowns, specifically near to schools during opening times.

"It would appear the intentions of these ‘clowns’ is to scare members of the public.

"There has been huge public interest in these photographs and videos, particularly on social media networking sites which more often than not do not represent accurate reporting.

"This inaccurate reporting is further fuelling the ‘craze’ and creating a perception of fear in the community.

"We would also like to warn people who are thinking of being actively involved in this ‘craze’ that in doing so they may commit offences under the Public Order Act 1986 and to be more considerate of the feelings of others, especially young children and the elderly.”  

So what is this new clown craze that is sweeping the nation and now Essex?

People dressing up as clowns and scaring the public has become popular on Twitter in the USA  - now it has spread to Essex.

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But Essex Police is warning anybody who is thinking of taking part that they could be committing an offence under the Public Order Act 1986. 

Acting Ch Insp Darren Deex said the force was aware of a "number of reports" of incidents in the county, however to date there have been no reports of physical threats, harm or violence.

This afternoon will be rather cloudy with a few showers around. 

There will also be a few brighter and sunny spells possible, however it will stay rather cool in the easterly breeze with a maximum temperature of 16C (61F).

BBC WeatherCopyright: BBC Weather

Popping out? Get the latest forecast from BBC Weather.

Baroness Chakrabarti is to step down as University of Essex chancellor at the end of the academic year, it has been announced.

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The Labour peer sparked controversy last month when she said "don't leave me locked in a room with Essex man" at a party conference event.

Baroness Chakrabarti has since been appointed as shadow attorney general as part of Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet. 

In a statement, the university thanked her for her work, adding: "Following her confirmation as shadow attorney general, Baroness Chakrabarti has offered to stand down as chancellor."

A 17-year-old boy from Benfleet has been arrested following trouble after West Ham United's Premier League match against Middlesbrough last weekend.

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The teenager is being questioned on suspicion of violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon. 

He is currently being held at an east London police station after being detained at his home earlier today.