PLANS to continue driving down crime and strengthening neighbourhood policing across the county were endorsed today following agreement on an increased council tax precept for Essex Police.

Expressing gratitude to the county’s taxpayers, Chief Constable Ben‑Julian Harrington pledged that Essex Police would continue to work harder to cut crime, protect victims and put more criminals behind bars.

In 2025, the force solved 2,700 more crimes than the previous year and increased the number of charges brought by 12 per cent claims Essex Police.

Following a meeting of the Police, Fire & Crime Panel on Tuesday 3 February, members voted to increase the council tax precept for policing in Essex by £14.94 a year — or 29p a week — for a Band D property.

Chief Constable Harrington said:

“During my time in Essex, it has never been lost on me that our force has had to rely disproportionately on the good people of Essex, through council tax, for our funding.

“Despite being the ninth‑largest force in the country, we receive just 2.25 per cent of national funding while representing 2.5 per cent of national policing. You don’t have to be a genius to work out that we lose out by around 10 per cent each time funds are awarded.

“We note the proposals regarding future police reform, but my focus remains firmly on protecting the people of Essex now and in the year ahead.

“While we have received £21.1 million more from central government, our unavoidable recurring costs — such as paying our highly skilled officers and staff, utility bills and kennelling costs — continue to rise and currently stand at £22.9 million.

“Additionally, we are moving 39 officers into neighbourhood policing, which is absolutely the right thing to do for the people of Essex. However, this creates further cost pressures and savings requirements elsewhere.

“I am grateful for the funding we receive, not least from the people of this great county who consistently support us. But it is important that I am clear about our financial position and the challenges we continue to face.

“We have made millions of pounds of savings over the past decade and are currently making difficult decisions that no Chief Constable wants to make.

“More than 100 dedicated, professional and loyal police staff are currently under consultation. They are the backbone of policing in Essex, but we have had to make tough choices to maintain our progress in cutting crime and antisocial behaviour while balancing the books.

“My promise to the people of Essex is this: we will continue to strengthen and invest in neighbourhood policing; we will keep cutting crime and work harder to prevent it in the first place; we will continue locking up criminals; and protecting victims and delivering justice for our communities will remain at the heart of everything we do.”