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Statement by Chief Superintendent Carl O'Malley

New Operational Policing "Blueprint"

As you may be aware, the ‘Blueprint’ is a result of a fundamental review of all aspects of our policing and how services are delivered. It is part of Essex Police’s efforts to find £41m per year in savings by 2014/15 due to a combination of cuts in grants and other unavoidable financial pressures. It involves a considerable restructure.
Service desk changes include front counters and their opening hours. This letter provides an update about our front counters at Laindon, Wickford and Corringham.
Due to several staff vacancies at these three locations, a decision has been made to close the front counters at these locations now rather than waiting until the launch of the Blueprint in March. This will prevent us from being forced into a position of using police officers to maintain station opening hours. The change in opening hours is in line with South West Division’s running of the Pathfinder Programme, the purpose of which is to pave the way for force wide rollout of a new structure in March 2012.
The review of front counters around the county began in June and July 2011, when Essex Police and Essex Police Authority engaged with local people through online and face to face surveys. We asked the public what they considered to be important about the policing service they receive in their area. The results of this survey have helped shape our proposals for the future provision of police station front counter services.

In the online survey, the majority of respondents, 62.6 percent, stated that they had not visited a police station in the last 12 months. In the face-to-face surveys carried out by our engagement teams in locations such as supermarkets and shopping centres, an even higher proportion of people, 76.2 percent, stated that they had not visited a police station in the last 12 months; when asked how they would report a crime, 94 percent of people said they would want to do this via the telephone.

In addition, we monitored attendance by the public at police stations across Essex and it was clear that demand was often very low. In fact, one of our police stations recorded an average of one member of the public visiting every two days. In light of this, Essex Police has very carefully considered the best way in which we can provide front counter services to the public at the same time as providing value for money and keeping as many police officers working in neighbourhood policing as possible. Under the new Blueprint we are increasing the number of police officers in neighbourhood policing teams, helping to increase our visible policing presence.
The consultation plans propose that nine core stations across the county will remain open to the public between 8am and midnight, 7 days a week. These stations include Basildon and Grays. If these proposals are confirmed, out of hours contact direct to the Force Information Room will be provided through a dedicated telephone outside the police station.

It is proposed that a further 16 stations will offer a front counter service from 12noon to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. These stations include Pitsea, Tilbury and Billericay.
Importantly, 96.6 percent of Essex’s population will still be within 10 kilometres of a police station front counter. Therefore, subject to consultation, we propose to have 25 police stations across Essex providing front counter services for local people throughout the year.
Although consultation with staff has not yet concluded, Unison fully supports the decision to close the service desks at Laindon, Wickford and Corringham from Monday, November 7, as they consider it to be in the interests of their members.

It is crucial for residents to understand that even when a front counter service desk is closed, officers in many cases will still use the building as a base. Officers will continue to be available on patrol 24 hours a day, regardless of whether the front office is open.
I want to reassure you that every step is being taken to ensure that the level of service you and the rest of the community receives from us does not change. If you have any questions about the process, please get in touch.
Carl O’Malley
Chief Superintendent
Reform Programme Manager