Essex Police will cut more than 100 police officers from their force after their government grant was reduced by £8.5million.

The policing grant for Essex will be £172.8 million for 2015/16 - a 4.7 per cent reduction on the £181.3million figure for 2014/15.

 

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: "With about 84 per cent of the overall policing budget spent on the salaries of police officers, PCSOs and police staff, the reduction in budget means that there will be a reduction in the overall size of the Essex Police workforce in 2015/16.

"Our best sense is that there will be a further reduction in police officer posts next year of just over 100.

"The force has already planned for a reduction in the overall number of PCSOs to 250 by the end of 2015/16.

"The full impact on police staff posts is still being finalised but may see a slight increase.

"Over the next 12 months we will continue to develop opportunities for collaboration, not just making the most of the existing close working with Kent but being even more ambitious and exploring opportunities with other forces and partner agencies.”