#MakeADifference and have your say on policing priorities in Essex

Three and a half years ago, we asked you what you wanted from Essex Police.

Working with police officers, staff and volunteers, as well as partners from across Essex, we took what you told us and developed the 2016 Police and Crime Plan. The plan set out our seven policing priorities to protect Essex, which are:

• More local, visible and accessible policing
• Crack down on anti-social behaviour
• Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse
• Reverse the trend in serious violence
• Tackle gangs and organised crime
• Protecting children and vulnerable people
• Improve safety on our roads

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “We have been working hard with partners over the last three and a half years to deliver against the Police and Crime Plan. Working together with you, we have achieved a lot.”

Working with Essex Police, we have built a more modern, efficient and effective force, that is growing and better connected to our communities. Highlights include:

• Delivering the funding to enable Essex Police to be a growing force. It will have 368 more officers by April 2020 than it had in 2016. Essex also has the second largest and fastest growing Special Constabulary in the country.
• Working to bring the numbers of incidents relating to anti-social behaviour, burglary and theft down.
• Leading the fight against gangs, county lines and violence with the development of a specialist Violence Reduction Unit.

Roger said: “However, our challenges are continuing to change and we know we need to do more to tackle violence in our communities and see the reduction we have achieved in anti-social behaviour, burglary and theft mirrored in violent crime and drugs.

“We want to prevent crime happening in the first place and we can achieve this by working with you so there is no space for criminals to thrive, as well as ensuring the most vulnerable people in communities remain safe.

“You have seen how we can #MakeADifference. Now I’d ask you to #MakeADifference and tell us what you want from your police force for the next four years so we can shape our next Police and Crime Plan.”

Fill in our survey here: https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/make-a-difference/

Hard copies of the survey are available in local libraries or you can call the office on 01245 291600 to request one.