I was delighted to be invited to a recent phone call with our local MPs and members of the Essex Police leadership team. The conversation was incredibly encouraging, with many positive updates on the work being done to keep our communities safe and take criminals off our streets.
One of the highlights was hearing about the progress being made in policing across the county. In Brentwood, for example, we now have two additional full-time officers added to the local policing team—an important step in increasing visibility and improving neighbourhood safety.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan shared impressive statistics showing that crime is falling across Essex. In the past year alone, there were 8,500 fewer victims of crime countywide. Even more significantly, 30,000 criminals have been taken off our streets during that same period. These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers.
There’s a clear and growing emphasis on returning to community-focused policing—what we fondly know as “bobbies on the beat.” Across Essex, neighbourhood policing teams with strong local knowledge have made over 500 arrests. Their presence in our communities not only deters crime but also fosters stronger relationships and trust with the public.
Of course, communication remains key. The Essex Police are working hard to keep residents informed, particularly through their Dispatch newsletter, which I encourage everyone to sign up for. They’re also expanding their reach on social media and the neighbourhood policing teams hosting over 500 community events across the county this summer.
A point of concern raised during the call was the continued closure of police front desks. Here in Brentwood, our police station closed some years ago and our police officers are now based in Brentwood Town Hall. to our hearts. I still get letters from constituents who would like the police station with its front desk to come back, however, the statistics are worth noting: in October 2022 there were 8,722 front desk visits across Essex, but by January 2025 that figure had dropped to 6,703. Interestingly, only 3% of those visits were to report new crimes or provide intelligence; the majority were for pre-arranged meetings, postal deliveries, general advice, or custody-related matters.
Despite these closures, Essex Police continues to invest in accessibility. They now offer 24/7 live chat support with trained responders—no bots—with an average wait time of just 10–20 seconds. In addition, residents can contact officers directly through 101, by using mobile contact details available online, or by emailing their local policing teams. There are also yellow telephone boxes outside the stations which can be used to contact the officers directly.
Essex Police currently delivers more officers on the street per £1 of government funding than any other force in the UK. That’s something we can absolutely be proud of. They are determined to continue engaging with the public, building safer communities, and staying visible and accessible.
To learn more or get in touch with your local neighbourhood policing team, please visit the Essex Police website or sign up for the Dispatch newsletter here: https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/dispatch/
