There is a risk that Halstead police station could be forced to close due to cuts.

Speaking at the Essex Police Challenge last week in Witham, chief constable Steven Kavanagh said there would need to be £50 million to £60 million made in savings.

As part of this, the force is looking to cut its estate, which includes 80 properties covering 1.25 million square feet, by 40 per cent.

Mr Kavanagh said most of the buildings were Victorian and so were expensive to run compared with more modern buildings.

Options being considered to save money include reducing the size of or moving the police headquarters in Chelmsford, reducing stations to just six major hubs or having just one station to every council area.