ANGRY councillors have questioned crime-cutting figures, claiming they are costing the borough extra police officers.

Dave Blackwell and Peter Greig, of the Canvey Independant Party, claimed not every crime was reported and, therefore, wasn't included in statistics.

They spoke out at a crime and disorder reduction partnership meeting.

It was focusing on producing an action plan to tackle six policing priorities identified in a residents' survey Alan Longford, corporate director for communities at the council, highlighted the 21 per cent drop in crime over the last three years - revealed in the Echo five weeks ago - and emphasised the borough was a "low crime area".

However, Mr Blackwell said: "Every time we say it is a low crime area we lessen our chance of getting more police.

"You get some crimes where people can't be bothered to ring the police because they are fed up with reporting so many things and seeing nothing done."

Mr Longford had said: "It should always be stressed Castle Point is a low crime area. We deal with youth nuisance and vandalism in the main. Across the rest of Essex the same issues have emerged as priorities. Over the past three years the partnership has been successful in reducing crime across the borough and in some areas by 30 per cent."

Castle Point, restructured in April, is currently served by 58 PCs and 20 PCSOs. Sgt Brad Dickel, from Castle Point's Focus Team, said: "Since our restructure, we have found officers have been better placed to respond to calls more quickly and effectively.

"We are on track to meet the crime reduction targets set.

"We have seen excellent results in the reduction of antisocial behaviour and have received very positive feedback from residents."

The action plan being drawn up aims to reduce crime by five per cent across Castle Point by 2011.

Its six priorities are antisocial behaviour, burglary, criminal damage, drug and alcohol misuse, public perceptions of crime and violent crime.

It followed a survey sent to every resident in the area.