Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe quizzes PCC Nick Alston on crime rates (From Thurrock Gazette)

Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe quizzes PCC Nick Alston on crime rates

1:19pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Emma Thomas

AN MP is asking the newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner what is being done to lower crime in the county.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has written to Nick Alston quizzing him on the subject.

Recent statistics show that whilst crime in Essex has fallen by 1.68 per cent, it is significantly lower than other areas in the country, including the City of London where crime fell by 16.19%.

He said: “It is of course a positive thing that crime in Essex has fallen, but I want to know what is being done to ensure that it continues to fall, and to ask why it we have seen such a small decrease in comparison to other counties.

“I have written to PCC Nick Alston to get some answers to these questions and will continue to work with him to create safer streets in South Basildon and East Thurrock. I am also pleased to announce that Mr Alston will be visiting Basildon on the 8th February. This will give people the chance to meet their commissioner and to raise their concerns in person.

“It is fantastic that we now have a public figure who we can question about local policing. PCC’s are a vital means through which we can hold the police to account and I look forward to hearing the response from Mr Alston and to welcoming him to Basildon in February.”