PFCC and local campaigners hear residents' concerns over proposed Government reforms to policing

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst joined local campaigners and residents last night to discuss the potential impact of the Government's proposed reforms to policing.

Earlier this year, the Home Office published its White Paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, which sets out proposals to move towards fewer, much larger regional police forces.

At a public meeting held at the Leigh Community Centre in Southend last night, residents raised concerns about the plans, questioning how larger regional forces would continue to respond to and represent local communities and priorities.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, encouraged residents of all ages to take part in a public survey to ensure the views of communities across Essex were represented as the Government considers how to implement its proposed reforms.

The online survey ran from 10 June to 22 July 2026 and received more than 1,700 responses from people across Essex.

The responses have now been independently analysed and show that almost 70 per cent of participants oppose proposals to merge police forces into larger regional constabularies.

Mr Hirst, campaigner Anna Firth and Councillor Owen Cartey listened to residents' concerns and urged them to make their views known by writing to their MPs. Mr Hirst will also submit the findings of the survey as part of his formal response to the Government's ongoing consultation on the future of policing.