People are struggling to see Bobbies on the Beat in Essex

FEARS that #CutsHaveConsequences to policing in Essex have been realised – as a new survey shows people are struggling to see Bobbies on the Beat.

More than 95 per cent of people believe the number of police officers they see patrolling in Essex has fallen since 2011, a new poll shows. The survey comes as the Federation places #CutsHaveConsequences adverts on 183 buses across the county (pictured).

The poll also shows that 93 per cent of people do not believe Essex Police officers can still provide a prompt response to the public.

The Federation chairman Mark Smith (pictured) has also been to the House of Commons to lobby sitting and prospective MPs of all parties on the importance of the force being properly and appropriately funded.

Essex Police officers are concerned for public safety because of the £72.5 million Government funding cuts in the county.

Mr Smith said: “Since the cuts to the policing budget started in 2011, we have lost more than 400 police officers in Essex. You will never see these officers again, the budget has been cut and those savings have been made.

“If we are faced with more cuts – and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has predicted the same level of cuts for policing in the next Parliament – it will be catastrophic for the force and the county.

“Do we really want a police service in this county when the only time the public we serve sees a police officer is when they are being arrested?

“We can only provide you with the service you are entitled to if we are funded correctly.”

The three month #CutsHaveConsequences campaign – which launched at the beginning of January – is running across social media, bus, train station and newspaper adverts – and is highlighting the consequences of cuts to policing budgets in Essex and what they will mean to the tax-paying public.

There remain regular updates on the Twitter account @EssexPoliceFed and you can see the campaign website – and the full #CutsHaveConsequences video – here: www.cutshaveconsequences.co.uk

The campaign has also subsequently been adopted by Police Federations across the country.

Mr Smith added: “I fear many members of the public don’t realise what they are about to lose. We have to ask you what do you want your police service to look like? What would you like your police officers to be doing?

“Do you want a privatised police service? A European, military style of policing? Do you want to lose neighbourhood teams – and all they can offer in crime prevention – to move towards a service that provides only rapid response?

“Cuts Have Consequences.”

It was recently revealed that in 1 in 6 emergencies, Essex Police is “failing to meet standard response target time of 15 minutes”. It also emerged – in a report from Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston – that crime is on the rise in the county, while the number of cases solved is falling.

“The figures are only going to get worse,” added Mr Smith.

“If you value your police force; if you are scared of the consequences of the cuts; please take note of our campaign and then write to or visit your MP, the other candidates standing at the General Election, your councillors and write to your local and national papers.

“Make the decision-makers aware of your concerns before it is too late to save the best police service in the world.”