“Safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build success and wellbeing for all.”
THAT’S the vision of Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex in his Police and Crime Plan for Essex which was approved by members of the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel today.
The Police and Crime Plan builds on what the PFCC has achieved so far and sets out the policing priorities and aims for keeping Essex safe.
It brings together the police, partners and the public of Essex to build safe and secure communities, to ensure the public have confidence in their police force and that victims are satisfied with the service and support they receive.
The policing priorities for Essex are:
Further investment in crime prevention
Reducing drug driven violence
Protecting rural and isolated areas
Preventing business crime, fraud and cyber crime
Protecting vulnerable people and breaking the cycle of domestic abuse
Improving safety on our roads
Reducing violence against women and girls
Encouraging volunteers and community support
Improving support for victims of crime
Supporting our officers and staff
Preventing dog theft
Increasing collaboration
Roger said: “We have made huge strides in recent years. Our commitment to local, visible, accessible policing means Essex Police have more than 600 officers than it had five years ago, and this week’s Budget confirms there will be over 800 by next year. New town centres teams, a Rural Engagement Team and Business Crime Team are making a difference and our Special Constabulary is now the second largest, and fastest growing in the country with over 500 officers.
“Our approach is working and since May 2016 we have seen a 33 per cent reduction in burglary, 15 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour and 29 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“What we are doing is working but we need to do more of it. Drug driven violence, gangs and domestic abuse are all having an impact on life in our county and we need to tackle these.
“This Police and Crime Plan is about making a strategic commitment to prevention, a shift in our main effort from rapid response into a model of targeted prevention and early intervention. This is the approach that will help us get crime down across Essex.
“We also need to protect the vulnerable from being preyed on by County Lines gangs, we need to protect people in their homes from domestic abuse and we need to protect women and girls from violence and abuse on our streets. By working together, we can identify where people are most at risk and deliver effective interventions to keep them safe.”
Essex Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet said:
“The Police and Crime Plan contains a clear and welcome focus on crime prevention.
“The officers, staff and volunteers of Essex Police will continue to work with the public and community safety partners to do just that; to help people, keep them and safe and catch criminals.
“Essex Police is determined to reduce violence in all its forms, especially domestic abuse, serious violence and violence against women and girls; tackling those who cause the greatest harm to our communities.
The Police and Crime Plan will be formally launched next month.
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