Essex Police have voted to increase their council tax precept to cover the effects of “significant” funding cuts over the past five years.

The Police and Crime Panel met yesterday to approve a 1.99 per cent increase in the precept, the largest amount possible without having to hold a referendum.

It represents an increase of about six pence per week for a Band D property and would raise about £1.7 million.

An Essex Police Federation survey this month showed 94% of officers felt the public were getting a worse service since £70million of cuts were started in 2010.

The number of officers has fallen from 3,636 in 2010 to 3,096.

The amount residents of Essex pay for policing through council tax is currently the second lowest of any English county, at £144.27 per annum for a Band D property.

Nick Alston, police and crime commissioner for Essex, said he “welcomed” the decision.

He said: "The independent inspectorate has found that Essex Police is one of the leanest and most efficient forces in the country, and we pay less in council tax for our policing than almost any other county.

“Whilst I regret having to seek this increase in the precept, I believe - facing significant cuts in central government funding - it is the responsible thing to do to help preserve strong and effective policing in Essex.”