I wanted to share an update from our Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst. It's great news that 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. This will make Essex Police as strong as it has ever been.
We’ve 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 there was a significant reduction in burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour.
It is important that policing priorities in Essex reflect the needs of the communities they serve. Residents have previously been asked what their priorities were, and their answers were reflected in the recent Police and Crime Plan Extension which you can read here: https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20200625-Po…
We have invested heavily in local, accessible and visible policing, have reduced anti-social behaviour, helped protect vulnerable children and adults from harm and reduced serious harm on our roads working with our partners at the Safer Essex Roads Partnership. We are tackling gangs and organised crime as well as helping to break the cycle of domestic abuse. Together, we have made significant progress against the priorities residents told us wanted Essex Police to focus on.
I know that this is an enormously challenging financial time for many people and any plans to increase council tax must be considered very carefully. It is so important that residents have their say and take part in the survey.
It will be open until Sunday, December 20th at midnight. Here is a link https://essexpfcc.limequery.com/933948?lang=en
