More than 1,000 Essex residents share views on proposed Government police reforms as survey enters final two weeks

More than 1,000 Essex residents have already taken part in a public survey on Government proposals to move towards fewer, larger police organisations, with two weeks remaining for others to have their say.

The Home Office recently published a White Paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, which sets out proposals for significant changes to the structure of policing in England and Wales.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, is encouraging residents from all communities and age groups to complete the survey and ensure Essex's voice is heard as the Government considers one of the most far-reaching packages of policing reform in decades.

The survey takes around five minutes to complete and can be accessed here: Proposed Police Force Mergers – Essex Public Survey.

Under the proposals, existing police forces would be merged into larger regional organisations supported by Local Policing Areas (LPAs) to manage neighbourhood issues. A new National Police Service (NPS) would initially be established to set standards and provide central support functions, before potentially assuming responsibility for areas including serious and organised crime, counter-terrorism and fraud.

While the reforms are intended to improve consistency and efficiency across the country, they could also affect local accountability, community knowledge and the visibility of neighbourhood policing in Essex.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:

"Policing works best when it is rooted in the communities it serves. These proposed national reforms could bring benefits in terms of consistency and efficiency, but it is vital we fully understand what they might mean for local accountability, neighbourhood policing and the strong connection between officers and the public in Essex.

"It is important to understand the scale of what is being proposed. If implemented in full, these reforms would fundamentally change the way policing is delivered for decades to come. The potential impact should not be underestimated, which is why I felt it was important to launch a local survey.

"I want to make sure the voices of Essex residents are clearly heard as these proposals are considered. This survey gives people of all ages the opportunity to share their views and help shape the future of policing, both locally and nationally."

Feedback gathered through the survey will be used by the PFCC to inform representations to Government and contribute to national discussions on policing reform on behalf of Essex residents.

The survey opened on 10 June and closes on 22 July.

Notes to editors

The Government's White Paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, can be viewed here.