A full-time sponsorship officer has been employed by Essex Police - weeks after they announced £7 million in cuts.

The new co-ordinator will try and persuade businesses across the county to help fund police projects.

Police sponsorship schemes began in 1995 and since then initiatives have included mobile CCTV cameras, community cars, mobile phone for domestic violence victims and a anti-drugs roadshow.

An Essex Police spokesman stressed the partnerships would only be used to provide new services rather than pay for what already existed.

He added the new co-ordinator, Mark Ellis, will also ensure the schemes did not compromise the force's integrity.

Since 1994, police forces around the country have been able to raise one per cent of their income through sponsorship although none has come close in reaching that figure.

The move to employ Mr Ellis as a full-time co-ordinator comes in the face of harsh budget cuts which have led to Essex axing its mounted and motorcycle sections.

Mr Ellis, 39, who is based at Essex Police's Chelmsford headquarters, said: "The aim of sponsorship is to enhance what the police can offer, not find new ways to pay for what is there."

He added: "In Essex and nationally the concept of sponsorship is quite new and still developing and it is not always as easy as is sometimes made out."

Mr Ellis, who has a long marketing background, said he hoped to make the force more proactive and sponsorship friendly with the business community and added: "I hope to develop further our involvement with the private and public sectors throughout the county and demonstrate the benefits of working in partnership with Essex Police."

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