THE public are being put at risk due to the consequences of multi-million pound cuts to policing budgets.<\/p>\n
More than 97% of 1,000 Essex Police officers surveyed say they are concerned for public safety because of the \u00a372.5 million Government funding cuts in the county.\u00a0The results have been revealed as part of the Essex Police Federation’s #CutsHaveConsequences<\/a> campaign. www.cutshaveconsequences.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n The three month campaign \u2013 which will run across social media, adverts and public events \u2013 will highlight the consequences of cuts to policing budgets in Essex and what they will mean to the tax-paying public.<\/p>\n There will be regular updates on the Essex Police Federation Twitter account @EssexPoliceFed and you can see the campaign website \u2013 and the full #CutsHaveConsequences video \u2013 here: www.cutshaveconsequences.co.uk<\/p>\n Mark Smith, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, said: \u201cWe have chosen to run this information and awareness campaign because we believe the public have a right to know what the \u00a372.5 million cuts to the policing budget mean.<\/p>\n \u201cThat crime is not falling; it is changing. That cuts have consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n This year (2015) there will be 12 per cent fewer police officers and 15 per cent fewer police staff keeping the people of Essex safe than there were in 2011.<\/p>\n Meanwhile 95 per cent of Essex Police officers surveyed say they are unable to provide a prompt policing response to the public they serve as a result of budget cuts and cuts to officer numbers.<\/p>\n Mr Smith added: \u201cThe police service is being eroded. And our members are worried about the level of service they can provide to the public as a result of ongoing cuts.<\/p>\n \u201cBut sadly those making the decisions don\u2019t seem to want to talk about the cuts, so we will. It is only ethically right that we do this.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are not going to tell you how hard it is to be a police officer, we are not going to talk about pay and conditions nor are we going to talk about pensions. We will not sensationalise and we are not scaremongering.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will however tell the truth about policing in Essex.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of the consequences of cuts in Essex Police:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since 2010 \u2013 410 fewer police officers in Essex. This is predicted to rise to 600 by 2016<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 October 2012, Essex Police’s mounted section axed<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 December 2013, Essex Police marine unit reduced<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 December 2013, the number of police dogs cut from 52 to 40. Down to 25 dog handlers<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2014, Roads policing officers reduced from 161 officers to 103<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2014, firearms officers in Essex reduced from 109 to 79<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21 police stations closed to the public – the hours restricted at another 16.<\/p>\n The survey of Essex Police officers \u2013 which took place in December \u2013 also revealed 94 per cent think the public are getting a worse police service than they were in 2010 \u2013 at the time of the last election.<\/p>\n Mr Smith said: \u201cYou do not get more or even the same with less. You only get less.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the public of Essex this means a poorer service with fewer front line police officers.<\/p>\n When the public are being told that \u201cthe front line is being protected\u201d \u2013 this we are afraid is very far from the truth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can only provide you with the service you are entitled to if we are funded correctly.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are happy to have a private police service, if you are happy to have private companies protecting you and your families, if you are happy to have no control or say in your services, then do nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, if you are not happy then only you can change what is happening. Take control of the future. Let politicians of all parties \u2013 in person, in writing, by email, on social media – know how you feel on policing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"