BURGLARIES in Essex have dropped by six per cent in the past year, new police figures reveal.

Essex Police revealed this week that there have been 791 fewer burglaries in the county this year, which is one of the biggest reductions in the country.

The figures were revealed as Essex Police launches its autumn crime prevention campaign, titled “Let’s Talk About Crime”.

The campaign asks people across Essex to talk about and share safety tips with friends, family and community groups to stop crime before it starts.

Throughout autumn and winter, Essex Police will share tips about how to keep themselves safe with advice about home, garden, vehicle and personal security, rural crime, cyber-crime, domestic abuse and property marking.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet, head of local policing, said: “Essex is a pretty safe county but fear of crime rather than risk of crime drives anxiety and concern in our communities.

“As clocks go back and mornings and early evenings get darker, we do see increases in some crime types, but our campaign puts more power in residents’ hands to reduce that risk.

“One action – making sure doors are locked or changing that bulb on the security light – can make the difference between being the victim of crime or not.

“We’ll be working hard across the autumn and winter to fight crime and bring offenders to justice, but we need the public’s help to share our messages and have conversations about crime prevention.”

Mr Prophet added: “This campaign is about telling Nan about crime prevention. It’s about giving messages to hairdressers, community groups, football and dance clubs to share with their members and I want to thank everyone who’s taken part in the campaign so far.

“Our job isn’t possible without that community support, and I’m asking everyone in Essex to have one conversation about crime prevention with someone important to them so that together we make Essex safer.”