THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle Price has given her reaction to the huge cuts being made to policing in Essex.

The MP said she wants police out and about instead of being sat in stations, and said it was “cynical scaremongering” to suggest people should fear for their safety.

Earlier today Essex Police announced it was to close and sell of Tilbury and South Ockendon stations and reduce the number of PCSO’s in the borough from 38 to six.

They also announced Grays station will remain open to the public seven days a week from 9am-5pm. Corringham station, which closed to the public in 2011, will now be sold as well.

She said: "The Police like every public service needs to do things smarter so that we get good service with value for money.

“I want police officers out and about not sitting in police stations so it is sensible to rationalise the estate, particularly when fewer people attend stations to report crime these days. To suggest people should be fearful of their safety is cynical scaremongering.”