Blueprint for Essex Police

Published on 15 September 2011

Future policing structures came under the spotlight at the Overview and Scutiny Committee of Epping Forest District Council on 6 September. Chief Superintendent Simon Williams discussed the wide-ranging implications of ‘Blueprint for Essex Policing’, plans to reform and rationalise police structures and reduce costs. Chief Superintendent Williams was joined in the presentation of a new model of policing by Councillor Anthony Jackson, Chairman of Essex Police Authority.

Approximately £41 million of savings need to be found by Essex Police. This follows £20 million of savings already achieved and reinvested in services according to Chief Superintendent Williams.

Savings on this scale do mean an unavoidable reduction in police officers, PCSOs and civilian staff. However, Chief Superintendent Williams felt the drive for cuts also offered opportunities to improve by doing things differently.

Harlow, Brentwood, Epping and Thurrock would form a new Western Territorial Policing Command under Chief Superintendent Williams. Essex Police proposes to remove internal barriers between commands making the force more flexible to demand.

Across Essex, three local policing areas will replace the five old commands. Specialist officers would work within the Territorial Policing Commands dealing with wide-ranging community issues such as anti-social behaviour, licensing, youth issues, neighbourhood policing and front counter services.

A key feature of the reorganisation would be better use of technology, a reduction of 25 per cent in senior management costs, better use of intelligence and keeping police officers out of the police stations for longer periods.

Councillor Richard Bassett, Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny asked how frontline police officers could be increased while overall numbers decreased. Chief Superintendent Williams said that investment in equipment in police vehicles to create a ‘mobile office’ would extend the time police officers could spend in the community. Councillor Bassett opened proceedings up for questions by councillors.

Councillor Stephen Murrary asked if but for the budget cuts, it would be better to introduce the new structure and retain those police officers and PCSOs due to be lost. Chief Superintendent Williams agreed.

Councillor Kewal Chana felt that despite the new structure, the cuts to Essex Police numbers were enormous and would be very hard to explain to local residents. He felt the organisation had become too top heavy due to complicated structures and called for simpler structures.

Chief Superintendent Williams said the Police had listened to the community and increased the number of response officers. Councillor Jackson acknowledged that the structure was complicated and difficult to explain but he expressed confidence in the professional judgement of senior officers. He reminded councillors that other police forces such as Kent, with whom Essex is collaborating, had also made major changes.

Councillor Derek Jacobs asked if less efficient police forces would make bigger cuts and whether the new arrangements would be reviewed. Chief Superintendent Williams thought cuts had been applied across all police services.

Councillor David Stallan asked if the new Police Commissioner due to be elected next year might not sweep these new structures away in place of something else. He also said that he would like to see more PCs on the street than sergeants in police stations. Chief Superintendent Williams said sergeants had the same powers as PCs and would also be ‘on the ground’ directing operations. Councillor Jackson added that the Chief Constable was responsible for organising the Force and that would remain. The role of the new Commissioner would be more related to policy such as police priorities rather than structures.

Councillor Rose Brooks praised Essex Police regarding work in Loughton and Limes Farm in Chigwell but asked whether the non-emergency response would be improved. Chief Superintendent Williams offered some measure of reassurance.

In response to Councillor David Wixley, Chief Superintendent Williams said that Loughton Police Station is definitely not closing. Councillor Stephen Murray pursued the question by acknowledging that the station was not closing but front counter services were being cut back from 24 hours to daytime only. Chief Superintendent Williams said that the station would continue to be staffed 24 hours a day and members of the public would be able to summon assistance by intercom when the counter was closed.

Councillor Wixley also asked about mutual response with the Metropolitan Police and Hertfordshire Police for incidents on or near the borders. Chief Superintendent Williams confirmed sharing of intelligence and joint operations would not be undermined. He also noted the sharing of resources with Kent police.

Councillor Gary Waller returned to the public perception of heavy bureaucracy. He asked if form-filling could be cut back. Chief Superintendent Williams said technology could help but you could not get away from the need to record evidence and intelligence.

Councillor Mary Sartin spoke for rural areas following a perception of less police coverage during the recent school holidays. Chief Superintendent Williams said patrols had been maintained despite the recent national demand upon resources (in reference to the recent London riots).

Councillor Janet Whitehouse reported many complaints from residents concerning pavement parking and speeding. She asked what her residents might expect from the Police in response. Chief Superintendent Williams described this as a policing issue in a wider sense within the community. Councillor Mrs Whitehouse wanted to see the Police take greater direct responsibility.

Councillor Lesley Wagland, Leader of Epping Forest District Council, asked for clarification regarding front counter closures in Waltham Abbey and Ongar. She also asked about Limes Farm and the mobile police office.

Chief Superintendent Williams said services would be reconfigured differently. Limes Farm police office would still be available as a base for PCSOs and police officers.

Chief Superintendent Williams concluded by assuring Councillor Maggie McEwen that neigbourhood and territorial police teams are to be dedicated to their individual areas.

After almost an hour and a half of questions and answers, Councillor Bassett thanked Chief Superintendent Williams and Councillor Anthony Jackson for their detailed presentation and responses.

Dartford to Thurrock River Crossing charges

Epping Forest District Council has lent its weight to calls for toll charges to be dropped during times of major congestion at the Dartford Thurrock Thames River crossings with a long-term view to dropping the tolls completely at a future date. Councillors feel it would not only benefit the local economy but would also reduce the environmental impact of queuing traffic.

Councillors of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 September were responding to Government consultation on the crossing. Tolls were originally imposed to pay for the construction of the crossings. However, the costs of the tunnels and bridge had been met by 2003, since when charges have continued to be made. There are concerns that the tolls now contribute towards congestion by creating delays and encouraging traffic to use other routes.

Councillors agreed to suggest that charges should be suspended when queues reach junction 30 southbound and junction 2 northbound. Councillors also called for signs to provide drivers with as much advance warning of congestion as possible to help avoid congestion by taking alternative routes.