"1,000 more crimes solved in the last year highlights our commitment to getting justice for victims."

THAT'S the message from Essex Police Chief Constable as new figures show a big increase in the number of offences solved by officers in the last 12 months.

The force solved more than 22,200 offences in the year to the end of July, 999 more than the previous 12 months.

CC Ben-Julian Harrington said: "There's a myth that we've been too distracted to deal with 'real crime'. A false idea that we've been too busy doing unimportant work to focus on 'real' criminals.

"That is absolutely not the case and these figures show quite the opposite.

"They show we've been laser focused in our task to keep people safe and put criminals in front of the courts.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington

"In the first half of this year we secured a 10 percent increase in charges. We dismantled more than 90 drug lines and seen 340 years in prison sentences for those responsible.

"We're solving more home burglaries, more rape and sexual offences cases, and more domestic abuse offences.

"We solved nearly 800 more shop theft offences in the last year which is up by a quarter. And we solved double the number we did before the pandemic. 

"In the last year we've secured more than 4,000 charges for violent crime – up on the year before.

"And we've more than doubled the number vehicle thefts solved – a crime I know has a significant impact on those affected.

"But I also know there is more to be done. More criminals to put behind bars. My officers are relentless in their focus, tireless in their effort, and determined in their approach.

"At the same time we've been able to keep crime coming down with nearly 8,000 fewer offences reported in the last year.

"That's fewer violent crimes, homes burgled, people robbed, and cars stolen.

"But I'm not complacent. One crime is still one too many and the residents of Essex have my commitment that we will keep working hard to keep crime falling and putting more suspects in front of the courts."