#ResponsePolicing: Helping people and keeping you safe 365 days of the year

If you want to gain an insight into the work our response officers do to keep you safe, then watch our video and read on.

On an average day, Essex Police receives 1,068 emergency 999 calls or reports from members of the public relating to incidents across Essex – that’s around 390,000 a year. The number of calls increases in the summer. Last month, we received 39,375 calls – an average of 1,313 a day.

Every policing district across Essex has a dedicated response or local policing team (LPT) and these officers are often the first police officers you will meet at the scene of an incident.

No two days are the same. Most LPT officers say it’s this variety which attracts them to the job. That and the fact that they believe they make a difference to the lives of many of the people they meet.

Last week, we were focusing on their work attending emergencies and patrolling their districts.

Among the incidents our LPT officers attended were reports of domestic violence, road traffic collisions and unexpected deaths. They helped to search for missing people and dumped stolen goods, arrested people wanted on warrants or for breaching court bail and attended reports of people in mental health crisis.

Officers carried out knife sweeps and vehicle checks. They recovered stolen vehicles and other property and dealt with public order incidents. For example, on #CanveyIsland, LPT officers and roads policing officers dealt with antisocial behaviour and various driving offences at a spontaneous car meet.

When not busy responding to incidents, our local policing officers will be out on proactive patrols in their communities, focusing on areas where problems have been identified, speaking to residents, visitors and local businesses.

In the Colchester area, officers using their stop and search powers seized a quantity of drugs and cash, a baseball bat, an axe and a knife and subsequently made three arrests. We use stop and search when we suspect people are carrying drugs, weapons or stolen property.

Every single day, our LPT officers protect and serve their communities, by helping people, catching criminals and delivering justice for victims of crime.

Are you or is someone you know suffering from domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and comes in all different guises. If you feel unsafe or distressed by a loved one or family member, you could be a victim of domestic abuse.

And domestic abuse is never acceptable. Report it by dialling 999 in an emergency or 101 otherwise. If you call 999 and cannot speak because you're in a dangerous situation, press 55 on your phone and our operator will know how to respond.

You can also find support networks across Essex by visiting Essex Compass: www.essexcompass.org.uk 

And if you are an abuser, is it time to Reflect on your behaviour? Call the Change Project on 0845 372 7701 or visit www.thechange-project.org for help and support to make a change.

At Essex Police, we value difference, and know that we’re strongest when we all work together.

If you share our values and want to protect and serve our communities, why not join us?

If you think you could protect and serve the people of Essex, either as a police officer, member of staff or volunteer, why not see if you fit the bill?

Find out more by visiting our careers page.