More local police officers to fight crime and keep our streets safe

The Brentwood Business Improvement District (BID), known as Brentwood Connected, is in its early stages – it’s just a month old – but it promises to bring great benefits to the High Streets and businesses of Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield.

It was a pleasure to meet with Andy Dennis from Meridian Kung Fu to hear about the success of the free women’s self-defence classes Meridian are providing in Brentwood.

All households in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency should have received a delivery of my Brentwood and Ongar Matters newsletter during the month of August.

The Brentwood and Epping Community Policing Team are offering local residents a free taster session self-defence class with local based company Loughton Self-Defence.

Brentwood and Ongar MP, Alex Burghart, says it’s “terrific news” that 900 extra police officers have been recruited in Essex as part of the Conservative Government’s manifesto pledge to put 20,000 more officers on the streets.

A support group for survivors of domestic abuse is offering a safe space for counselling and referral services. This group is in Epping, and the Brentwood and Epping Local Policing Team are signposting those who have experienced domestic abuse towards them for help.

Recently I have been talking to local police about their visibility on the High Street. Over the past few weeks I have had conversations with Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, Chief Inspector Tina Cooper and Sergeant Lauren Sharland. 

Rural crime is still an ongoing worry for many of my constituents who live in the less populated areas of the Brentwood and Ongar constituency. Residents in Fyfield suffered a spate of nine break ins over ten nights a couple of months ago, with farm machinery and diggers being brazenly stolen.

Since being elected I have had a steady stream of complaints to my office about the prevalence of fly tipping on farmland and country roads across my Brentwood and Ongar constituency.

Alex Burghart MP has welcomed the Conservative Government’s Levelling Up White Paper and the boost it will bring to Brentwood and Ongar by increasing wages, improving living standards, and regenerating local communities across the country.