Your views are being sought by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, prior to the setting of the policing precept for 2020-2021. This is what Roger has to say:
"We have rebuilt the resources of Essex Police with 150 extra officers being recruited, trained and deployed in 2018-2019, and a further 218 currently being recruited. This extra strength is going predominately into local policing with the introduction of new town centre teams, a business crime team, growing the Rural Engagement Team and, towards the end of the year, the introduction of 21 extra Children and Young People Officers.
Combined with the 135 officers being funded by the Government as part of the first wave of the 20,000 extra officers, it means we will be recruiting 503 extra officers by April 2021. Taking into account recent investments in technology and improved efficiency this will make Essex Police as strong as it has ever been.
In the most recent HMICFRS inspection, Essex Police has been found to be ‘good’ and we expect to see further improvements in this rating. This has been achieved while still being the second lowest funded force in the country. Essex Police is efficient and effective and continues to focus on identifying better ways to protect the public and use the resources we have wisely.
Over the last two years I carried out surveys asking whether or not residents would pay more to increase investment in policing in Essex. Last year 4187 people completed the survey and 71 per cent of the people who responded said they would be prepared to invest more in policing to help improve the service provided. Prior to the setting of the policing precept for 2020-2021, I am again asking for residents’ views to help inform my approach. The survey will be launched on Monday, 16th December, and I would ask you to encourage as many people as possible to complete it.
People can fill in the survey online via this link:
https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/policing-precept-survey-2019/ "
The survey closes at midnight on Sunday, 12th January 2020.
