Delivering Safer Streets has always been a top priority. I have campaigned for more police since becoming an MP.
We are delivering on our commitment to increase the number of Police Officers by 20,000 nationally. By March 2021, there will be 519 more officers in Essex than there were in 2018. 384 of them as a result of the increase in the local Council Tax precept and efficiencies achieved by Essex Police, and 135 from the national police uplift programme.
With recent investments in technology and improved efficiency, Essex Police is as strong as it has ever been.
Crime is now down by 6.3% county wide in the last year and by 5.3% in Chelmsford. Essex Police have seen a reduction in recorded crime over the last year, with over 9,000 fewer offences recorded and, importantly, fewer victims of crime between September 2019 and September 2020, compared to the year before. Even before COVID they were seeing significant reductions in burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour.
With a heavy investment in local, accessible and visible policing, anti-social behaviour has reduced, helping protect vulnerable children and adults from harm and reduced serious harm on our roads working with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.
The Police are tackling gangs and organised crime as well as helping to break the cycle of domestic abuse.