Police agree an extra 600 officers for Essex

Essex Police Authority has pledged its support for plans to bring an additional 600 officers to the streets of the county.
Front line officer numbers in Essex have increased by 440 in the last three years, in line with Chief Constable Roger Baker's pledge to put more police officers on the beat, attend all crimes, and reduce crime, nuisance and disorder.

Mr Baker said, "Essex is a low crime area, but one crime is one too many and we will do everything possible to reduce incidents and provide vital reassurance to our communities by increasing our visibility."

By increasing officer numbers, the force aims to:

• Reduce recorded crime to less than 100,000/pa in the short term and become the safest county in England and Wales

• Reduce anti-social behaviour incidents to the lowest in England and Wales

• Achieve the best recorded customer experience

• Achieve the best sanction detection rate in England and Wales

• Achieve the best Protective Services of any non metropolitan force

• Achieve the best public satisfaction rating and improve effectiveness and service quality.

Chairman of Essex Police Authority, Robert Chambers said, "We will work with Essex Police to deliver these plans, and we will continue to work with our partners to develop various options for funding, so that the cost does not fall on the Essex taxpayer."