SOUTH Essex residents are being invited to help decide the future of policing.

On February 27, Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston will be holding the latest of his Essex Police Challenge events, where members of the public and Mr Alston ask questions of Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh.

Mr Alston said: "I believe that local policing should be responsive, visible and close to communities, and it must deliver a service that inspires public confidence and meets the needs of our diverse population. As budgets continue to be tightened, how can we best meet these objectives?"

Topics covered will include how Essex Police can best use its local policing resources to respond to and investigate crime and solve nuisance behaviour problems, how it can modernise contact between the public and the police, whether police station front counters are the most efficient and effective way of reporting crime and how PCSOs can best serve the community.

Everyone in Essex is welcome to attend the Essex Police Challenge in Lecture Theatre PMI004, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, starting at 7:30pm on Thursday February 27. You can find further details here.

http://www.essex.pcc.police.uk/essex-police-challenge/ Questions may also be submitted by writing to Mr Alston's office or using the email address EssexPoliceChallenge@essex.pnn.police.uk A public meeting will also be held in Basildon on Tuesday February 18, starting at 6:30pm in the Basildon Centre.

http://www.essex.pcc.police.uk/2014/01/have-your-say-about-crime-and-community-safety-in-basildon/ Questions may also be posted to: PCC for Essex, 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1GU