THE CHIEF Constable of Essex has responded to a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) most recent report published today (Wednesday 14 May).
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “Ensuring that we look after our people so they can serve the people of Essex is essential. Equally ensuring the quality of the crime data to measure success and target resources is fundamental to reducing crime. So being assessed as ‘good’ in these two areas shows we are getting the foundations right.
“Essex Police remains unfairly funded in comparison with other forces and parts of the country so to be assessed as ‘adequate’ across the complex range of services we deliver is recognition of the immense work by our officers, staff and volunteers along with the strong partnerships we have across Essex. There are areas identified where we need to improve and, in every area, we want to get better. We are already working on these and this is acknowledged in the report.“
The report states the force:
• Mostly carries out effective and timely investigations;
• Responds promptly to calls for service on most occasions;
• Has made a considerable investment to reduce the risk of domestic-related homicide;
• Works with partners to reduce the risk of fraud and support victims;
• Is using data to identify vulnerable locations, reducing crime and the fear of crime;
• Values neighbourhood policing assets and tries to keep them visible in communities;
• Engages with the community, showing that it understands, listens and responds to what matters to its communities;
• Utilises victims and their advocates to inform how it investigates serious sexual offences;
• Is continually improving processes for assessing risk and protecting victims of domestic abuse;
• Effectively manages the risk posed by online child abuse offenders.
Mr Harrington added: “Essex is a safe place and crime and anti-social behaviour are down. The report has recognised that we are innovating, using data, and working hard with partners to reduce crime.
“This includes the use of hotspot policing to tackle violence and make people, particularly women and girls, feel safer.
“I am pleased it has also recognised our investment to reduce the risk of domestic-related homicides and our continual improvement in protecting victims of domestic abuse.
“It has rightly recognised that we effectively manage the risk posed to children online and our work with partners to reduce the risk of fraud and support victims.”
Mr Harrington continued: “We are the third lowest funded force in the country but still manage to put more officers responding, preventing, and investigating crime per pound of funding than any other.
“We’ve made £20 million in savings in the last two years and while the force’s finances will be an ongoing challenge in 2025, we’ve found so much in savings already.
“And all the while we’ve brought down crime with nearly 10,000 fewer offences in the last year and 22,000 fewer than five years ago, while anti-social behaviour continues to fall and is half the national average.
“In the last year my officers made 30,000 arrests and secured 13,000 charges.
“And the public recognises this hard work with around three quarters of people in Essex believing we do a good or excellent job.”
Mr Harrington also set out what the public will see this year and next which will deliver a better service: “We’re also investing in our Neighbourhood Policing Teams, expanding them to better deal with issues that matter to the public because we value our neighbourhoods.”
“We know we need to answer the phone quicker and we’ve already introduced new ways of working in our control room, and it’s good the report recognised the improvements we have made in responding to the public since their last inspection.
“We have created a new victim portal so officers and staff can keep victims of crime updated more easily and hear their views so we can deliver a better service.
“We have improved our investigative skills training for new recruits which covers the initial recording of a crime right through to cases going to court.
“We will continue to listen to victims to provide the best outcomes and support.”
“Deliver more crime prevention work – from device and online safety campaigns to deploying our LFR and new tech to keep our tourist resorts safe for locals and visitors this summer
“Finally – hold on to our experienced people – do our best to keep the people we have as cost of living increases”
In the report, the HMICFRS graded the force as ‘good’ for crime data integrity (how accurately crime is recorded) meaning victims of crime can access appropriate support. The same grade was given for building, supporting and protecting its workforce.
It was graded as ‘adequate’ for how it treats the public, preventing crime, responding to the public, investigating crime, leadership and force management and managing offenders.
It was graded as ‘requires improvement’ in the areas of protecting vulnerable people.
Mr Harrington acknowledged there are areas to improve, but work is already ongoing to address these issues: “We’re focussed on continuous improvement.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are expanding this spring and will be easier to reach and meet up with, so we make Essex a safer place – unless you’re a criminal.”
