An Essex Police chief said he is confident the force will meet all its annual targets despite falling short in the first three months.

Last week, This Is Essex's sister publication The Evening Gazette told how only one in eight targets for solving and lowering crime in the county has been met for the months of April, May and June and how incidents of burglary and violent crime are on the rise.

At the time, the force declined to comment until the figures has been issued to Essex Police Authority.

At yesterday's police authority meeting Essex Police Deputy Chief Constable Charles Clark said: "If you look back to last year Essex Police met 18 out its 22 targets.

"The beauty of having transparent targets and results is that we're allowed to focus our efforts where they are needed.

"I'm confident Essex Police will meet its targets as the year goes on."

Published Tuesday August 13, 2002

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