Essex is UK's 10th safest county

8:00am Tuesday 26th August 2008

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ESSEX is the tenth safest county in England and Wales, according to government crime figures.

The stats show the county recorded just 11 offences of violence for every 1,000 people from April 2007 to April 2008.

The new results table was compiled by personal safety charity The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which analysed Home Office statistics.

Yet Essex has slipped down from fifth position the previous year.

Tony Adams, acting inspector at Southend, said police had worked extremely hard to reduce crime in the area.

He said: “We have particular officers who target persistent and prolific offenders.

“We also have a regular operation set up to target individuals who are currently at large.

“We are doing our best to get those people off the streets which will reduce the volume of crime.

“We will strive to be the best in Essex and then attempt to be the best in the country.”

But Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Coun-cil, said the statistics were wrong.

He said: “I dispute the figures. I think we are fourth in the table.

“We are working very closely with the police and hopefully within the next three years it will be the safest place in the country.

“The real problem in Essex is not crime, it’s the fear of crime.

“We need to work with the public to make them understand it is a very safe place.”

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust will use the results to help identify people most at risk of violence and help give them relevant personal safety advice.

Angela Smith, Basildon’s MP, added: “Congratulations to the trust for compiling the figures, but this just reminds us to be on our guard for personal safety at all times.”