“Your Neighbourhood Policing Teams have made a big difference keeping you safe this summer”.

That’s from one of our most senior officers after figures show our newly expanded Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) made secured 50 percent more arrests and charges this year than in 2024.

Between June and August NPTs made 913 arrests and secured 940 charges compared to 614 arrests and 507 charges during the same time last year.

As part of our commitment to our neighbourhoods, 72 more officer roles were added to our NPTs at the start of April and the teams focus on the issues that matter most to you.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin, who is responsible for local policing, said: “We value our neighbourhoods which is why we’ve invested to bolster the number of officers visible in your area.
“And it’s not just about visibility, it’s about making a tangible difference to you – these teams are preventing and investigate crime, getting justice for victims, and working with partners to resolve issues that matter to you.
“Sometimes you may not see the work they are doing, but you will see the impact of what they are doing – less crime, less anti-social behaviour, and safer communities.
“And these figures show that across the summer they’ve been doing just that.
“For example, in Epping and Brentwood the teams have using new tactics, with officers in plain clothes, to target shoplifters, resulting in a 16 percent fall in offences.
“In Wickford they’ve been using drones to get a better identify anti-social behaviour and gather evidence.
“Work by the team in Chelmsford has seen a man jailed for two years for sexual assault.
“In Southend, the team have seized dozens of e-bikes and e-scooters as part of an operation to combat the issue of them being illegally ridden.
“Teams have been carrying out checks at hotels, B&Bs and guest houses to alert staff to the signs of child exploitation.
“And across the county teams are executing drugs warrants, securing multiple charges against suspect shoplifters and burglars, and ensuring banning orders for those who target our hardworking businesses.
“All the while crime continues to fall.
“But this work doesn’t stop just because the days are getting colder and shorter. Our commitment to your neighbourhoods will continue through Autumn, Winter, and into 2026.”

This article originally appeared on essexpolicemedia.co.uk and was republished with permission.