DETECTIVES have been forced to undergo massive changes to the way they work after a countywide shake-up of CID.

Previously in each of the county’s divisions, CID – or criminal investigation departments – were broken down by area.

But, following an overhaul, the CID departments have now been broken down into teams specific to certain crimes.

Now, in Essex detectives either work for target teams, which probe more minor crimes like burglary or robbery, or serious crime teams.

The serious crime teams investigate rape and the most violent attacks, but not murders and organised crime.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “All the teams remain local, but they have been divided into target teams and serious crime teams.

“The target teams investigate high priorty crimes and whereby a series has been determined, such as house burglary, street robbery and vehicle crime.

“The serious crime teams investigate the most serious crime in the county which does not fall within the remit of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate.

“These may include rape and attempted murder.”