Essex residents and businesses will see more investment in policing over the next year.
Members of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel have agreed the budget for policing and fire and rescues services recommended by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
Mr Hirst is keeping the increase in the precepts to a minimum to reduce the financial impact on the public. However, there will still be funds for 184 more police officers to enable Essex Police to keep people safe, prevent crime and catch criminals.
To continue to deliver the level of policing residents want, it is necessary to increase the policing element of the council tax by 4.98 per cent, equivalent to £9.90 a year for a Band D property. This is significantly less than the maximum increase permitted but the minimum required to continue Essex Police’s programme of growth. There will not be an increase in the Fire and Rescue element of council tax, there is not the same urgent need for an increase as investment for the service will be met from current reserves.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:
“As a country we are under intense financial pressure, and every penny we spend needs to make a difference. We also need to set out clearly what the public can expect to see as a result of this extra funding.”

Funding available from PFCC to help support community safety projects across Essex

Voluntary and community safety groups from across Essex can apply for a funding boost from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex’s Community Safety Development Fund.

But hurry as there are just a few days to go before applications close on Wednesday, February 10th.

The £150,000 fund offers grants of up to £20,000 for community projects that help to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Essex, as well as supporting vulnerable people.

How to apply

Essex Police and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Annual Report 2019-2020

Essex Police has grown in size, strength and capability over the past few years and is now better equipped to meet the challenges policing brings, even those faced during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Speaking following publication of the 2019-2020 Annual Report for Essex Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, PFCC Roger Hirst, said: “It is often during a crisis that we get to see the true strength of the organisations that we have built. In Essex, we have supported significant increases in funding to enable the Chief Constable to recruit more officers and this has seen the force grow at its fastest rate in a generation. This increased strength has enabled the force to provide more visible patrols, more reassurance and to respond more effectively to the emerging challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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