THURROCK Councillor Tim Aker fears Essex Police could go bankrupt on the back of the today’s announcement that nearly 200 PCSO’s will be cut in Essex, as well Tilbury and South Ockendon stations being closed.

Today the force announced a raft of proposed cuts in the force which also included the reduction of PCSO’s in Thurrock from 38 to six.

They also announced Grays station will remain open to the public seven days a week from 9am-5pm. Corringham station, which closed to the public in 2011, will now be sold as well.

The force anticipates further budget cuts of around £63 million by 2019-20.

Ukip councillor Mr Aker said: "The announcement that government is slashing 25 percent of the police budget for Essex over the next five years goes to show how messed up their priories are.

"While this Conservative government has proudly announced that they have increased our foreign aid to over £12bn a year, we are seeing people in this country suffering.

"Last month it was announced that reports of anti social behaviour were not being dealt with 97 percent of thetime as the police were understaffed. With more rigorous staff cuts set across the next five years we are all worried how many other areas of crime will be ignored in future, leaving residents to suffer.

"In December we had Lincolnshire police service announce that it could go 'bankrupt', if the government continued its ideological drive to slash services, we will have to wonder if Essex police service will be able to continue."