PERKS paid to the county's top cop cost more than a police officer.

Essex Police Chief Constable made almost £200,000 last year.

And that was without the extra almost £40,000 he was receiving for his pension up to 2014/15.

Mr Kavanagh is allowed to claim more than £7,500 for his car each year and almost £7,000 for his house.

He receives a £17,600 chief officer allowance and can claim more on top for expenses, such as for food and travel, without the need to provide receipts.

The figures were revealed in the Essex Police statement of accounts for 2015/16 and provoked criticism from the Taxpayers' Alliance and indirectly from Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

She has called for greater transparency in pay, allowances, expenses and perks after details of Mr Kavanagh's arrangements, and those of colleagues in other counties, were revealed.

Terms are agreed by the police and crime commissioner who has the power to hire and fire chief constables.

Essex Police do provide totals for money paid to the chief officer team - totalling close to £1million each year - but may have to provide more detail in the future following statements by the Home Secretary.

The Home Secretary said the allowances should be “open to scrutiny by the communities they serve”.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Mr Kavanagh left the Metropolitan Police following 28 years’ service and was appointed as Essex Chief Constable on May 3, 2013.

"Upon his appointment, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex exercised his discretion to vary the salary by ten per cent.

"This was a matter of public record, and was reported on, and his full remuneration package was disclosed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at this time."

The force has also hit back at suggestions in the national media he has received a pay rise and is claiming for inappropriate items.

The spokesman said: "Mr Kavanagh is appalled by the assertion he is claiming money from the force to cover 'daily food bills' and 'home internet'.

"The allowances documented form part of his full remuneration package and are not individually claimed.

"The people of Essex can be confident Essex Police has and will remain open and transparent about the allowances paid to Chief Officers as well as all of the expenses they claim.

"The force statement of accounts as well as Chief Officer expenses are published on the force website here: https://www.essex.police.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/accounts,-payments-gifts/

"Any expenses claimed by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh are all in line with national guidance."