Essex has seen the biggest increase in numbers of police officers over the last year in the East Anglian region, according to new Home Office figures.

The county saw an increase of 119 officers, a rise of 4.2 per cent.

Nationally, the Home Office says that police numbers in England and Wales are at their highest level since February 1995.

Essex led the way, while other forces saw a rise. There were 44 in Befordshire, 83 in Cambridge, 49 in Norfolk and 31 in Suffolk.

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001