ESSEX Police has saved an estimated £4million this financial year.

Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston has revealed the force has made the savings primarily from not replacing PCSOs who have left.

Mr Alston said the cash would not be wasted, and would be used to mitigate the £11million in cuts the force faces in the next financial year.

However he said staffing levels will still be under pressure.

Provisional figures for the 2013-14 financial year reveal Essex Police will be about 1-1.5 per cent under budget, roughly £4million.

Most of the money comes from cash allocated to salaries for 360 PCSOs but through natural wastage the number of the officers has dropped to 310.