Home Secretary meets Chief of Essex police
The meeting included a private session at Southend police station, followed by a patrol in Warrior Square
Last updated 15th Jan 2024
In a meeting held this Morning, Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, alongside Essex Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, met with Home Secretary James Cleverly to discuss the force's continuous efforts in crime reduction across the county.
The meeting included a private session at Southend police station, followed by a patrol in Warrior Square with officers Sgt James Mint and PC Amelia Thorne.
During the meeting, Chief Constable Harrington presented data collected by Essex police reflecting a significant reduction in crime across Essex over the last 12 months. In this period, there were reportedly 9,470 fewer crimes committed, marking a reduction of almost 6%.
Antisocial behaviour reports also saw a substantial decline, with over 9,000 fewer incidents, reflecting a 37.6% reduction.
Specifically highlighting achievements in Southend, Mr. Cleverly was informed about a notable 49% drop in antisocial behaviour and a 9.2% reduction in overall crime, equivalent to 1,920 fewer incidents.
The police officials also emphasized their focus on tackling knife crime, citing a county-wide reduction of 11.2% and a 21.6% decrease in Southend, totalling 190 and 174 fewer offenses, respectively.
Chief Constable Harrington underscored the importance of public support in achieving these results and expressed gratitude for the unwavering backing from the Essex community. He conveyed, "The demands made upon policing are high, but our resources are increasingly better used to both stop and solve crime. There is more to do, and we are continually pushing for improvement."
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Home Secretary Cleverly to engage with officers and gain firsthand insights into their roles, challenges, and contributions to community safety. Chief Constable Harrington concluded by pledging to continue the force's efforts in 2024, addressing individuals causing the highest harm, reducing antisocial behavior, enhancing road safety, and innovatively tackling knife-related issues.
Essex Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst added, "Crime is going down across Essex following our investment in 905 extra officers, making Essex Police the biggest it has been in its 184-year history." The Commissioner highlighted the success of local officers in bringing down crime and acknowledged the Home Secretary's visit to witness their impactful work.