Last June local MP Kemi Badenoch welcomed 177 new officers in Essex as part of the Government’s 20,000 uplift. This month the total stands at 345 additional recruits in Essex since 2019, bringing the total number of officers up to 3,661.
The Government on track to fulfil its manifesto commitment with 69 per cent of the target now met as part of the drive to get 20,000 more police officers by 2023 across the country.
The 13,790 extra officers will support the Government’s crackdown on crime, which has seen the launch of the Beating Crime Plan and the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act through the House of Commons.
This builds on the action already taken by the Government – including boosting police funding to a record £15.8 billion and investing £150 million through the Safer Streets Fund, which Essex is using for community projects to prevent crime – with a focus on neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls.
Commenting, Mrs Badenoch said:
“From working with our local police force, I know just how valuable 345 more police officers will be in helping to tackle crime and increasing police presence in our local communities.
“The 345 additional recruits mean there are now 3,661 police officers in Essex – benefitting Chelmsford and Uttlesford. This is up another 168 since I updated residents last June.
“These officers are helping to keep neighbourhoods safe, crack down on anti-social behaviour in our towns and tackle rural crime like hare coursing and fly tipping.
“I will continue to work with our local policing teams and Essex’s Police Commissioner to ensure we have the resources we need to cater for our constituency.”
