ESSEX Police is prepared for a Paris-style terrorist attack having updated its plans, a report has revealed.

Despite regularly losing trained firearms officers to London, steps are being taken to recruit and retain more to bolster the county’s defences.

A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary stated: “Essex Police has good plans to mobilise in response to the threats set out in the strategic policing requirement.

“The force regularly tests these plans and makes amendments following the lessons learned.

“Operational deployments in support of regional colleagues have been successful. The force is well prepared to respond to a firearms attack.

“It has recently reviewed its assessment of threat, risk and harm and this now includes the threats posed by marauding firearms terrorists.”

The strategic policing requirement includes serious and organised crime, terrorism, serious cyber crime and child sexual abuse.

Following the attacks on November 13, 2015, police forces were handed an extra £143 million to tackle terrorism with an extra 1,000 firearms officers to be trained.

Essex Police was not part of this national armed policing uplift programme and lost specialist officers as a result.

The report states: “It has lost authorised firearms officers who have transferred to armed policing roles in the Met and City of London Police.

“The force continues to train officers as authorised firearms officers in an effort to keep numbers at the required levels.

“The chief constable has also approved an increase in the south eastern regional allowance for each authorised firearms officer which may reduce the number of these officers transferring.”

The force completes an annual armed policing strategic threat and risk assessment and carries out training exercises including with support from the military at Colchester Garrison and the counter terrorism network.

Officers also supported attempts to bring the Bedford Prison riot to an end.

Responding to the report looking at the effectiveness of Essex Police across its roles, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “This report is good news for the people of Essex.

“From tackling anti-social behaviour to taking down organised crime right through to being prepared for the possibility of a terrorist attack, Essex Police is judged to be doing a good job at keeping people safe.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst has also increased the budget for firearms officers, although not back up its strength in 2010.