The District Commander for Essex Police has responded to Essex Police's announcements it will close up to 15 police stations and cut up to 190 PCSOs. 

Although Chelmsford police station will remain open to the public between 9am and 5pm, South Woodham Ferrers Police station will close and be sold. 

Up to 24 of the 31 PCSO jobs in Chelmsford and Maldon could be cut, meaning staff could be redeployed elsewhere, retained as PCSOs of made redundant. 

Chief Inspector Alan Cook said: "

“Local policing remains key to how we keep our communities safe in Essex. However in the face of having to make huge financial savings, it cannot be immune from change.

“The recommendation to reduce the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) employed by Essex Police, which is now the subject of a consultation with affected staff, is one of many difficult choices faced by our Chief Constable.

"However with less money Essex Police will inevitably employ fewer staff, and the resources we do have must be used efficiently and effectively.

“Our teams must be where they are needed most - and that is where the most harm is being caused in our communities.

"That will be the focus of our new Community Policing Teams: protecting people from harm; reducing and preventing crime; bringing criminals to justice and ensuring they serve their public well.

“The Chelmsford and Maldon Community Policing Team will be locally based, locally accountable and will work with partners to respond quickly and dynamically to crime trends and problems in their areas.

“In further changes to policing in the borough of Chelmsford, the front counter of South Woodham Ferrers police station is being recommended for closure, which is currently the subject of a consultation with affected staff.

"The station itself is also proposed for sale.

“But I would like to reassure the community in South Woodham Ferrers that, despite the potential loss of the police station, officers will continue to investigate your crimes, support you when you have been a victim of crime and respond to you in an emergency, when you most need us – it is not a building that does those things.

“My officers serving South Woodham Ferrers will continue to remain at the heart of their community preventing and solving crime.

“Chelmsford police station is proposed to remain open offering front counter services seven days a week from 9am to 5pm whereby people can report a crime or incident, hand in documents and seek advice.

"Detectives, specialist domestic violence investigation teams, forensic specialists, custody facilities and many other key crimefighting resources will continue to be based there for the time-being.

“In addition to this, Essex Police is still contactable through 101, via 999 in an emergency, via email and we are continuing to work to modernise and improve our online services.

“As District Commander for the city I would like to reassure residents here that their officers remain committed to serving victims, investigating crimes, catching criminals and as such will remain at the heart of their community.”