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ESSEX

Essex Chamber of Commerce welcomes extra investment in Town Centre Teams

Essex Chamber of Commerce has warmly welcomed the decision to expand Town Centre Policing Teams across the county following approval of the Essex Police growth plans for 2022/2023.

The Chief Constable is set to recruit a further 200 officers in 2022/23 of which 51 officers will go into Town Centre Teams across the country. The extra investment is part of a multiyear growth programme driven by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst.

Roger said: “Essex is a vibrant and dynamic county with a wealth of entrepreneurial businesses that generate jobs, bring money into the County and make Essex a great place to be.

“Businesses are a vital part of our community and by working together we can make a significant difference in our town centres. The Town Centre Teams have made a real impact locally by identify and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. By growing these teams, we are investing in preventing crime and making our town centres places where people want to visit and where businesses can thrive.”

The Essex Chamber of Commerce represents hundreds of businesses across Essex and works closely with Essex Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to help businesses link in with the emergency services to create safe communities that are attractive to businesses and the public.

Essex Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Denise Rossiter, said: “This investment will make a difference to businesses across Essex, helping to cut crime and anti-social behaviour in our town centres and in turn giving businesses the reassurance that they will have the support of the police when they need it.

“Businesses have been through a tough time over the last few years, but Essex is bouncing back faster and stronger than other areas of the country because of the strength of our businesses and their entrepreneurial Essex spirit.”

Essex Police Chief Constable, BJ Harrington, said “By 2023, Essex Police will be the strongest it has ever been, and the good work has already started.

“We are welcoming more people from a wider range of backgrounds who want to make their difference to society. That’s alongside the essential police staff, specials constables, cadets and volunteers that make up our team.”

The increase in town centre teams is part of a wider investment in Essex Police planned for 2022/23. The extra investment was confirmed following the endorsement of the Essex Police budget by the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel and its agreement to the proposed increases in Council Tax Precept.

The budget, proposed by Chief Constable BJ Harrington and set by Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, will result in a further 200 officers and take the total size of the force to 3,755 officers by March 2023 a growth of 900 officers since 2016.

The funding for the extra officers will come from a combination of increased central government funding and an increase in the policing precept of the Council Tax by 4.79 per cent or £9.99 per year on a Band D property.

The main points are:

Essex Police

200 more police officers, taking the force up to 3,755 officers by March 2023 the largest it’s ever been

Of those extra officers:

  • 78 will concentrate on crime prevention work and being visible in communities including 51 officers in town centre teams and 10 in community policing teams
  • 68 will be focused on tackling violence in all forms including violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and drug driven violence
  • 44 will focus on investigating crime and building a more professional force
  • 10 will support the Regional Organised Crime Unit

There will also be more than 70 police staff roles supporting the areas above.

 

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CONTACT THE PFCC

PFCC for Essex, Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3HB
01245 291600

If your enquiry relates to operational policing or a crime please contact Essex Police

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