Brentwood and Ongar MP, Alex Burghart, says it’s “terrific news” that 900 extra police officers have been recruited in Essex as part of the Conservative Government’s manifesto pledge to put 20,000 more officers on the streets.
Since the recruitment drive was launched in 2019, almost 21,000 new police officers in England and Wales have been recruited, according to new figures published this week.
Alex met the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, in Brentwood to congratulate him on the recruitment of these new officers, which will mean the Brentwood Community Policing Team, which covers the Brentwood and Ongar constituency, is larger than ever before.
Mr Hirst said: “Since moving the Brentwood police base to Brentwood Town Hall, the community policing team is more central and has higher visibility in the town. We’ve introduced a town centre policing team to keep people safe on the High Street, and more police in vehicles mean faster responses to reports of criminal activity.
“Anti-social behaviour and burglary reports have reduced but violent crime is still too high, so the Brentwood team are focussing on the local causes of crime and how they can prevent it taking place.”
Alex Burghart MP commented: “This is terrific new for local policing and a great achievement by the Government. Our local community policing team is doing a great job and I fully support them in their work to reduce crime across Brentwood and Ongar”
Since 2010, national figures show crime excluding fraud has been cut by over 50 per cent – making our communities safer. Theft has been reduced by 20 per cent and domestic burglary by 30 per cent. The Conservative Government has also taken 90,000 knives off our streets through stop and search, surrender initiatives and targeted police action since 2019. ENDS
