Essex police receive "continued unfair funding from central Government" says Chief Constable
Essex Police is the third worst funded force in the country
Essex Police have said despite receiving "continued unfair funding from central Government" they remain committed to improving neighbourhood policing, hiring 74 new officers for our streets.
The force is the third worst funded force in the country but puts more police on the streets per pound in funding than any other force in the country.
The new officers started working on Essex streets at the start of April.
Despite hiring new officer roles, the force cut around 65 staff roles this financial year due to budget shortfall.
In February 2025 the Government provided £100m of extra funding for policing nationally and Essex Police’s share of this funding was £2.3 million.
The money was used to help retain Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Essex, who were at risk of being sacked.
However Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said the additional funding was "not enough" to cover the whole of the Essex Police budget shortfall.
As a result, the force cut staff roles, stopped some non-critical building and technology projects, and removed the Detective targeted variable payment of £1,200.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, says the force have received "continued unfair funding from central Government".
"As a result of unfair funding we cannot do everything we want to do in the way we have previously done it.
"It can’t be right that the eighth biggest police force has the third lowest level of funding per head of population.”
"Just imagine what we can achieve if Essex Police had a fair deal when it comes to funding.
To put it into context, Merseyside Police received £40 million more in Government funding last year than Essex police, despite policing an area four or five times smaller.
When asked why the force's limited funds are going into neighbourhood policing, Constable Harrington tells Greatest Hits Radio the force knows how important visibility is.
“More than 90 percent of people in Essex tell us that they think a regular uniformed presence in their area is important and we’re listening to that feedback.
“But these officers won’t just be visible in your neighbourhoods – they’ll be preventing and investigating crime, getting justice for victims, and working with partners to resolve issues that matter".
The types of crimes neighbourhood police teams will investigate include some robberies, sexual offences, vehicle crime, shoplifting, business burglaries, and dangerous dog incidents.
"We’re solving more crime than this time last year", says Mr Harrington.
"Anti-social behaviour is down about 65% on five years ago and continues to drop.
Mr Harrington added that the public can help keep their neighbourhoods safe by reporting issues or concerns online or through a Live Chat function on their website.
You can see the details of the Neighbourhood Policing Team officers in your area at https://www.essex.police.uk/area/your-area/