The number of police officers in Essex has dropped by 4.3 per cent according to latest figures.

But Essex Police Chief Constable David Stevens said the fall has been caused by many former police jobs now being done by civilians which he claims has improved the force.

But West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns criticised the figures.

He said at a time when crime rates are rising again, and people are calling for more bobbies on the beat, he was disturbed to see Essex losing so many officers.

He said: "What we need is an overall, significant increase in the number of police officers."

The Government figures - covering March 1997 to September last year - show that Essex Police lost 126 officers over that time.

Mr Stevens said: "The overall staff numbers within the force have not reduced. Around 130 posts previously filled by officers have been replaced by support staff."

Civilian staff with specialist skills can now be brought in to do jobs like administration, IT and public relations leaving officers free to police the streets, he said.

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