THERE DOES appear to be something of a wind of change in the way Essex Police are giving an account of themselves in public.

Whether it is the installing of chief constable Stephen Kavanagh and police crime commissioner, Nick Alston but there appears to be a refreshing honesty when they speak to the public at meetings.

At the Harlow Super Nap held at St James’s church on Perry Road on Thursday night, the assembled cops told those gathered, what they had achieved: noisy party clamp downs, asbos, drug farm captures.

They also let the public know about Operation Insight where, in relation to burglaries, they are targeting geographic areas.

The police said they were pleased with one of the highest solve rates (overall 34%) but said there was still much to do.

They admitted that they need to get a handle on shoplifters and shed burglary.

Questions came thick and fast from the floor and on a range of subjects from street lighting to police presence.