BOBBIES on the beat are outdated and a waste of scarce resources, according to the county’s police commissioner.

Nick Alston believes the days of officers “just walking the streets” is over and they should focus on targeting criminals instead.

He said: “Local policing is absolutely crucial, but bobbies on the beat are outdated.

“We need experienced detectives and investigations with better evidence. Bobbies on the beat don’t cut it and I don’t know if they ever did.”

The view will prove unpopular with those who claim uniformed officers provide reassurance to the public and act as a deterrent to criminals.

But Mr Alston, who announced he is standing down next May to spend more time with his family, said the force did not have enough officers left.

He said the best way to boost public confidence was to reduce crime and catch criminals, rather than just being seen.

The amount spent on local policing in Essex has dropped by about £13million to £113.5million over the past two years and is still falling.

The number of officers has gone down from 3,600 to about 3,000 and there are fears it could fall as low as 2,000 by 2020, according to the Essex Police Federation.

PCSOs have dropped from 445 to 280 and could be axed totally, according to federation chairman Mark Smith.

Clacton MP Douglas Carswell hit out at Mr Alston for his views on bobbies on the beat.

He said: “I’m stunned and disappointed.

“If Commissioner Alston really believed that we should reduce the number of police on the beat, then he should have told us before taking office.

“This attitude explains a great deal, including why tackling knife crime in Clacton has been so ineffective and why Clacton police station was considered for closure.

“Walton police station is virtually shut in all but name.

“I think a lot of people feel let down. He was supposed to be elected by local people and on our side.”

The Gazette put it to Mr Carswell that not only was he one of the first to call for elected police commissioners, but that he had campaigned for Mr Alston as a Conservative before switching to Ukip.

Mr Carswell said he was still in favour of police commissioners as people would have had the chance to vote Mr Alston out if he had stood again, and that Mr Alston’s actions validated his decision to move to Ukip as the Conservatives talked tough on crime.

  • Raising council tax “significantly” could be the final act of the outgoing police commissioner.

Essex Police are one of the cheapest forces in the country and cost the average household less than £150 a year in council tax compared to more than £200 nationally.

Mr Alston said: “I want to put up council tax by a significant amount next time.

“We are not paying enough for policing and we will see the consequences.”