More will be known about how many local police officers will be based in Maldon district in the next two months.

Essex chief constable Stephen Kavanagh announced last month that 500 officers across Essex will be moved out of the centrally controlled response team and some specialist roles to work locally.

District commander Chief Insp Alan Cook has yet to be told how many will cover Maldon and Chelmsford, his areas of responsibility.

Postings are expected to be known by mid August.

Speaking at a public meeting organised by police and crime commissioner Nick Alston at Maldon Town Hall on Wednesday he said: “The real challenge for me will be making sure the split I have across the whole of the district recognises the uniqueness of the area I am responsible for.

“On one side I have got a city, on the other I have got a very rural area.”

Mr Cook said it will mean he can move officers around to attend incidents anywhere in the district.