A BUSINESS watchdog claims massive cuts to the county’s police force is “bad news” for companies.
Essex Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle warned “hundreds and hundreds” of frontline officers and police staff could be axed to make savings of up to £45million.
But the Essex Federation of Small Businesses fears the savings will lead to less officers on the streets.
Glenys Chatterley, crime spokeswoman for the federation, said: “Essex Police have a good track record of reducing the level of crime and reducing the fear of crime. But if there are significant cuts those trends will soon be reversed.”
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