Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston stopped by Rebecca Harris' campaign headquarters. Rebecca and Mr Alston spoke about various issue residents have raised with Rebecca on the campaign trail - such as police funding and police station closures.

Rebecca and Mr Alston also spoke about the recent crime figures for Castle Point which show a 4.8% increase in crime for the year to February 2015. They discussed how the rise was down to a huge increase in reports of serious sexual crimes and serious violent crimes, mainly domestic violence. The increase in reports of these crimes has come from the national media attention on the Police's efforts to investigate and successfully prosecute historical sexual abuse crimes and a county-wide drive to increase reporting and prosecution of domestic abuse, giving the public more confidence to report these crimes. 

Mr Alston also pointed out that Castle Point has one of the lowest crime rates in the whole country. 

Mr Alston said:

"I fully appreciate the concerns residents have. Yet, I am sure with more innovative policing and a close working relationship with Rebecca, we will be able to efficiently tackle the crimes that cause distress and upset in our communities

Some Castle Point residents are understandably concerned about the public opening hours of their local police station. I want more police officers on the street protecting the public not stuck in back offices filling in forms. Taxpayer’s money should be spent on police officers in the community, responding to calls and supporting victims of crime, not on maintaining empty buildings.”

Rebecca said: 

"I was pleased to talk with the Police Commissioner about residents’ concerns and get his reassurance about the crime figures for Castle Point. 

I will continue to fight to make sure we have a strong voice in Castle Point on policing and crime."