New crime figures for Essex are "disappointing" - but the county remains one of the safest places to live in Britain.

Latest Home Office figures show a 3.2 per cent increase in the crime rate in Essex.

Essex Police assistant chief constable, John Broughton, said: "After a long run of decreases in crime in Essex, it is disappointing. This reflects the national trend and is line with elsewhere in the south-east.

"We are now studying the figures in detail and will be working hard to achieve a sustainable crime reduction by the use of innovative initiatives, such as targeting known criminals, intelligence-led policing and operations to counteract specific offence categories."

The Home Office has used estimates for some figures because a new system has been introduced to count crime.

Mr Broughton said in April the actual figures will be known and it will be "interesting" to see what they are.

He said: "Of the 39 English police forces surveyed, only four had a lower crime rate. Only two had a lower burglary rate and Essex is fifth lowest for violence against the person and sixth lowest for robberies.

"Essex has less crime in ratio to population than most other places. We are not complacent and will be striving to build on this and make Essex an even safer place to live and work."

Basildon and East Thurrock MP Angela Smith said steps have already been taken by central government to bring the national crime rate down.

She said: "We want a solution that lasts a long time. Some of the things in the Crime Disorder Bill only came into practice in October.

"Once those kick in we will see a change."

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