Fierce criticism has been levelled at Essex Police over proposals to merge the Rochford and Southend police divisions.

Rochford councillors were told that merging the divisions would save £442,000, providing around 15 extra police officers for the county.

The police authority was accused of brushing aside public opinion and carrying out a cosmetic consultation exercise.

The options under a police structure review would either see no change in police divisions, a merger of Southend, Rochford and Castle Point or a merger of Rochford with Southend while Castle Point would be paired with Basildon.

Supt Jim Noakes, of Essex Police, said that putting Rochford and Southend together was the favoured option of the police and would reduce management costs.

However, councillors were sceptical and believed the higher crime rates in Southend would drain police resources from Rochford.

Vic Leach (Lib Dem, Hawkwell East) said: "There is no doubt that any of the second two options are going to create in Southend a black hole and police resources are going to be sucked into it."

Tory group leader Peter

Webster (Con, Whitehouse) believed that consultation on the proposals lacked public input.

He said: "The final decision will be taken by an unelected body which is kept in business by the levy it places on every householder in this district and throughout Essex - but these householders are not going to be consulted.

"I regard this consultation as purely and simply cosmetic. The decision will not be taken as a result of this consultation - it will be taken by this unelected body."

Members voted for no change in the police structure and to hold public consultation on the proposed changes.

By Alistair Walton

Reporter's e-mail: alistair.walton@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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