A LOT has been reported about cuts to Essex Police but what does it mean and what will happen to our force as we know it?

Last week, Essex Police announced huge cuts to the service in order to save cash. 

We've put together a list of the main changes and major issues the police are facing. 

A statement from police said they have to:

- make the Essex Police property estate fit for the future

- improve public contact between police and the communities we serve

- improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policing

Essex Police is anticipating cuts of around £63 million by 2019-20, on an annual budget of around £262 million. Around 83 per cent of the budget is spent on the salaries of police officers, PCSOs and police staff.

The statement said: "These changes are driven by both the changing nature of crime and financial challenges. Effective partnership work with local authorities, the other blue light services and the voluntary sector will become increasingly important.

"The Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner are determined that Essex Police will continue to keep our county safe both now and for the future."

The main points are: 

  • Pitsea & Billericay police stations to close
  • Rayleigh and Canvey stations to close their front counters (no access to public)
  • Cuts of £63m by 2019/20
  • Police stations going from 80 sites to 30 sites
  • Reduce from 25 police stations open to public to just 10
  • Police staff cut from 98 to 36
  • New Essex Police headquarters will be built
  • PCSOs from 250 to 60 across the county
  • Essex Police proposes to retain front counters, open to the public from 9am to 5pm, in Grays, Basildon, Southend, Harlow, Chelmsford, Maldon, Saffron Walden, Braintree, Colchester and Clacton.
  • Operational policing bases, not open to the public, will be kept in Loughton, Brentwood, Canvey Island, Rayleigh and Harwich.