Tell the Police what you want for Christmas

ESSEX police are getting into the festive spirit by asking people to draw up a Christmas list for cops.

In a bid to spread their very own kind of Yuletide cheer members of the Essex Police Authority and local officers will be visiting town centres, shopping malls and supermarkets across Essex in the run-up to Christmas.

As part of the campaign, dubbed “All I want for Christmas”, they will be speaking to shoppers to get them to draw up a wish list of what they want to see from their police in 2009.

Work will then be done to deliver on the promises and police will make public the results of the top three things residents’ name as what they want from police.

Robert Chambers, chairman of the police authority, said: “Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, so what better time for us to get out and see the people of Essex.

“Not only will the public be able to talk to us about any issues, concerns or ideas they may have, they will also have the opportunity to help shape the future of policing in Essex by telling us exactly what they want to see in policing in 2009.

“The views of the public are integral to the police service we deliver so a campaign like this will help us determine what the public really want.”

Each wish list submitted to police will be entered into a prize draw, giving the winner the chance to visit Essex Police’s Interceptor or Automated Number Plate Recognition Team.

*Essex Police Authority will be in South Essex between 11am and 2pm on the following dates: Basildon’s Eastgate Centre, opposite Starbucks, on Monday December 1
Morrisons on Norfolk Road, Canvey on Thursday December 4
Victoria Plaza Shopping Centre, Southend on Friday December 12
Somerfield on Ashingdon Road, Rochford on Wednesday December 17
Thurrock’s Lakeside Shopping Centre, outside McDonald’s, on Tuesday December 23