Underworld informants are thin on the ground in some parts of Essex - much to the dismay of police top brass.

There simply are not enough people spilling the beans to their handlers for money, according to a new report.

The shady world of the informer is not much publicised. But police are on the lookout for a somewhat different kind of recruit to the ones wanted by their recent recruitment drive.

The document, to be put before the Essex Police Authority today, said a change in legislation now requires a far more rigorous approach to registered informant handling.

It says: "This has seen a significant decrease in the number of registered informants.

"Some divisions now have no registered informants. However, it is likely that the number of informants will start to increase as we take a pro-active stance to re-establish this important intelligence base."

An Essex Police intelligence officer with knowledge of informant handling said: "We regard informants as an important and legitimate tool of our trade and actively recruit.

"It is a delicate area. Criminals will always fall out amongst themselves."

He said the vast majority of informants were not paid, but in some cases cash in envelopes was given for intelligence.

The intelligence officer said: "I would not like to see us with no informants because they are a vital part of our weapons. The rules governing their use are very strict."

By Stephen Rawlins

Reporter's e-mail: stephen_rawlins@thisisessex.co.uk

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