THE Olympics were partly to blame for police officers not solving crimes in Essex, according to the county’s police and crime commissioner.
 

Nick Alston claimed, in his first annual report, officers struggled to catch criminals because they were too busy policing at the London Games.
 

Less than three in every ten crimes reported to police in Essex are solved and the number is dropping.
 

The county is already below the national average and the force is falling further behind.
 

Crime rates are also falling far slower in Essex at about three per cent compared with the national average of about 13 per cent.
 

The report stated: “In early 2012 the force underwent a significant restructure.
 

“This transformational change in policing style, together with significant policing challenges, in particular the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games which diverted resources away form their normal policing activities, had an impact on the all crime solved rate.”
 

The report continues: “During the summer of 2012, significant policing operations took place to ensure the delivery of a safe and secure London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 

“The policing of these events involved the use of considerable resources to ensure Essex received the same high level of policing whilst delivering a safe games.”
 

Mr Alston took over from the Essex Police Authority in November and revealed during the past year criminal damage and serious violent crime has fallen but burglary is up - about 12 per cent - as are the number of robberies in the county.
 

Mr Alston said: “The ‘all crime’ solved rate decreased in 2012/13 to 27 per cent.
 

“Work is ongoing to address this challenge and already showing encouraging improvements.”
 

More recently the force has been sending officers to help in Northern Ireland.