ESSEX’S Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston is to quiz police bosses after it was discovered the county’s closest ally admitted fixing crime figures.

Kent Police have admitted “distorting activity” in reporting crime.

Their Chief Constable, Ian Learmonth, admitted a “distortion of activity” in some areas of the county to achieve crime targets.

About one in ten incidents were inaccurately recorded and it has been claimed this was done deliberately, following a report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Essex Police share back office functions, the marine unit and the Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate with their neighbour, which has led to questions being asked about records in this county.

Now Mr Alston is preparing to speak to Essex Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh about the matter.

He said he hoped Essex Police were not guilty of faking figures.

Mr Alston said: “In Essex, we will continue to focus on reducing crime, but we must have confidence the crime figures are reliable.

“I would be surprised and disappointed if practices existed in Essex which were similar to those identified by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, in its report into crime recording in Kent.

“I will be discussing that HMIC report with Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh in the coming days and I also welcome the fact the Inspectorate will be looking at crime recording in all forces, as part of a national crime data integrity programme.”