West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns believes it will be "more difficult than anticipated" for Essex Police to recruit 190 extra officers this year.

The MP was speaking following a question he asked in the House of Commons about the county force.

Mr Burns wanted to know how many 'funded' officers there were and what was the current establishment.

Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for the Home Department replied that the Chief Constable had told him the funded establishment was 2,970 and that on October 15 there were 2,841 officers. In October Essex Police had 35 more officers than in March.

Mr Clarke said: "Essex Police expect to recruit around 190 police officers this year which should allow them broadly to reach their target by the end of the financial year."

Mr Burns said: "I am very concerned that Essex Police has currently 129 officers less than the number for which funding has been provided.

"The Government promised that we would have more police officers than we had in May 1997 and I am very disappointed that what we have seen since then is less police officers in Essex.

"Although I am pleased there are more police officers than there were in March of this year, I think it is a little glib of the Minister to think that Essex Police will recruit 190 extra officers.

"They may certainly try to do this but because of the double whammy effect of the Metropolitan Police allowances, they may find it more difficult than anticipated unless the Home Office does something to rectify the problems emanating from the London weighting distortions."

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