Essex Police
East of England · Territorial force · 3,750 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
3,750
Staff
1,700
Area (sq miles)
1,418
Population served
1,870,000
About Essex Police
Covering the county of Essex from Thurrock to Colchester. A growing force area with suburban, urban and rural challenges, including ports policing and tackling county lines.
Essex Police operates as the territorial police force for the county of Essex, situated in the East of England. Covering a diverse landscape, the force faces unique challenges that range from urban areas such as Southend-on-Sea to more rural locations in the north. This varied geography is punctuated by significant operational responsibilities, including the policing of major ports like Harwich and airports such as London Stansted. These transport hubs are critical for trade and travel, contributing to the policing complexities the force navigates daily. The borders of Essex are shared with several neighboring forces, adding another layer of collaboration and jurisdictional dynamics.
Essex Police prides itself on its specialist capabilities. Key units include the Serious Crime Directorate, which tackles more severe offenses, and the Community Policing Teams that address local issues through proactive engagement. The dog unit and the specialist cybercrime team reflect the force’s commitment to addressing crime through innovative methods and modern technology.
Currently, Essex Police emphasizes tackling drug-related issues, particularly focusing on county lines operations, which involve the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Additionally, the force has made public commitments to enhance community engagement and safeguarding initiatives, highlighting its priority to respond effectively to community safety concerns. For prospective applicants or transferring officers, Essex Police represents a varied and challenging environment that promises opportunities for professional development and community impact.
Current priorities
- Tackling county lines crime
- Enhancing community engagement
- Addressing drug-related issues
- Improving public safety initiatives
Notable specialisms
Source: About Essex Police. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
3,750
Staff
1,700
Total headcount
5,450
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
See per-pillar grades
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
In recent oversight reports
Essex Police is named in 2 recent IOPC investigation outcomes or HMICFRS thematic reports.
Investigation into conduct allegations against Devon and Cornwall deputy chief constable concluded
2025-05-08 · IOPC
Terms of reference: Home Secretary’s commission for a thematic inspection of the handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services
2023-07-19 · HMICFRS
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 1,156 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 92.4% of records.
By object of search (2026-08)
| (not recorded) | 1,156 |
By outcome (2026-08)
| A no further action disposal | 822 |
| Community resolution | 163 |
| Arrest | 162 |
| Summons / charged by post | 8 |
| Caution (simple or conditional) | 1 |
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
16,067 crimes recorded by Essex Police in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 6,041 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,776 |
| Shoplifting | 1,348 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,131 |
| Public order | 1,069 |
| Other theft | 1,067 |
| Vehicle crime | 874 |
| Drugs | 525 |
| Burglary | 416 |
| Other crime | 277 |
| Robbery | 166 |
| Possession of weapons | 154 |
| Bicycle theft | 123 |
| Theft from the person | 100 |
| Total | 16,067 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving Essex Police over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to Essex Police; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
South East Allowance
Up to £3,000 / year
Force-discretionary South East allowance, set by the chief constable up to the statutory maximum, to help offset higher living costs in the South East.
Recruitment
How to join Essex Police
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.