A FALL in the number of officers at Essex Police from 3,606 to 2,806 has coincided with a 12.9% rise in recorded crime.<\/p>\n
The figures have been revealed in a HMIC report on the effectiveness of Essex Police.<\/p>\n
The report also revealed that Essex spends higher than the national average on neighbourhood policing at \u00a339 per head of population compared to a national average of \u00a325.<\/p>\n
Essex Police was rated as good overall for 2016 compared to \u201crequires improvement\u201d the previous year.<\/p>\n
The report stated: \u201cEssex Police has a good understanding of the risks and threats posed to its communities. The understanding is supported by the force\u2019s dedicated local policing model.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEssex Police is good at keeping people safe and reducing crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur overall judgment is an improvement on last year, when we judged the force to require improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe force has an effective approach to preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, investigating crime and tackling serious and organised crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe force has greatly improved the way it protects vulnerable people, including victims of domestic abuse, but still needs to do more in this area.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report also revealed that in more than 90% recorded crimes, no-one was charged.<\/p>\n
However, the chance of being a victim of crime in Essex is still lower than the national average, the figures show.<\/p>\n