Harlow’s Member of Parliament, Robert Halfon, has welcomed recently released figures showing a huge increase in the number of police officers on the beat in Harlow.
Latest figures show that 395 new police officers have joined Essex Police, with 30 stationed in Harlow, as part of a national recruitment drive to get 20,000 more bobbies on the beat over the last 2 years. Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, has confirmed that Essex Police is now larger and stronger than it has ever been.
Under this Conservative Government, crime and harm are falling. Anti-social behaviour is down across the county by 55% since 2015, burglary by 49%, and further significant reductions in theft and homicide.
In recent weeks, Mr Halfon has also welcomed an extra £83,000 in funding from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to boost the Safer Harlow Partnership, focussing on tackling anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls and serious crime in Harlow town centre.
Harlow MP, Robert Halfon, welcomed the announcement, saying, “For too long, our town has been blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour. I have worked with both Harlow Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, to crack down on this.
“In Parliament, I have repeatedly voted to increase police powers, toughen up sentencing and ensure our justice system is fair, effective and efficient when it comes to protecting the public. Just last year, I voted in favour of a new, landmark law that strengthened police powers to tackle crime whilst increasing sentences for serious criminals, meaning they spend longer behind bars and off our streets.”
“The latest figures show that Harlow police is now bigger than ever before, with 30 additional officers joining the force in the last 2 years. I am pleased that anti-social behaviour is falling and burglary has nearly halved. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of the hardworking police officers and support staff in Harlow.”
Commenting on the figures, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst said, “Essex Police is bigger and stronger than ever before. The Conservative Government has rightly brought in new crimes to protect women and girls from harm, particularly with regard to stalking and harassment and controlling and coercive behaviour. They have also toughened up drugs laws, banning previously legal but dangerous highs, to protect our young people. That is a lot of new crime for Essex police to combat and prevent. As the new officers are trained up and deployed you can expect to see a stronger street presence dealing with drugs and violence, as well as more dealing with fraud and child abuse on-line.”
