Police have pledged there will be no reduction of coverage in the Ongar and North Weald area when the Essex force absorbs part of the Metropolitan area next year.

The assurance comes as a new community policing initiative is adopted throughout the county after a successful trial in the Epping district.

Essex takes over Buckhurst Hill, Waltham Abbey, Loughton and Chigwell from the Met next April. Waltham Abbey will join Epping, Ongar and neighbouring villages in one section.

A police spokesman said: "There will be a back-up role for all three stations to support each other but policing is working well in the Epping and Ongar area"

Adoption of the community teamwork approach, which has been operating in the Harlow division for some time, will mean few changes in Ongar and North Weald.

The main advantage is it ensures health and support are always available even when an area's local bobby is sick or on leave.

Section inspector Peter Hesketh said: "Although the results of the review are in line with our current approach to community policing, it doesn't mean that we'll be complacent.

"We continue to strive to provide a better service and although our system is tried and tested, we'll still endeavour to exceed expectations."

Ongar's community team is: Sgt Kim Creswell, PC Paul Purkiss and PC Jenny Harrington, who work in Chipping Ongar, PC Chris Caten, who covers a wide rural area including the Rodings, Fyfield, High Ongar, Matching, Willingale plus Moreton, Bobbingworth and the Lavers, PC Nick Padmore, of North Weald and PC Mike Egan, of Sheering.

The High Street police station is open to the public between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Telephone 01277 362360.

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