Officers are ‘stretched to breaking point’

A THIRD of incidents reported to Essex Police are now being dealt with by phone or email, the force’s Federation has said.

The force is stretched to breaking point and must receive proper funding if it is to continue to provide a good service to the public, according to Steve Taylor, Federation Chairman.

Mr Taylor was speaking as chiefs, policing and crime commissioners and opposition MPs called on the Government to properly fund the service following recent terrorist attacks.

He said: “We want to see equity in how the police force is funded. For example last year, total Government spend was £784 billion of which just £3.8 billion went on police service.

“That is less than 1% and still they want to reduce it. The direct effect of that reduction is fewer officers to police our communities here in Essex. We are being stretched thinner and thinner.”

In 2010, Essex Police was 3,606 officers strong. At the last count – from HMIC figures, the force now has just 2,866 fully sworn officers.

Mr Taylor added: “That is 740 fewer officers on the streets of Essex. There are not enough and the only way that is going to improve is through more funding.

“It was very uncomfortable listening to the Government’s praise for police officers and their conduct and hard work following the terror attacks, while in the same breath they are tying police officers’ hands behind their backs by cutting resources so.

“There weren’t extra officers available to help following those attacks -– it was the same officers being asked to do more.

“We are in a position now where more than a third of incident don’t necessary result in a visit from an officer. We have to ask if that is in the best interest of our communities.”