Council tax could be increased to give the stretched police force a financial boost.

Last year the policing element of council tax in Essex was raised by £12 for an average Band D property after 65 per cent of 5,000 survey respondents said they would pay at least two per cent more.

Despite the increase, the force remains under pressure.

In Epping Forest - as with the rest of Essex - nearly all types of crime are rising, with 600 fewer offices working at the beginning of 2018 than in 2013.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: "Part of the £450 million in police funding secured nationally from the Government last year allowed Essex Police to recruit 150 more frontline officers, bringing the total amount of Essex Police officers to at least 3,000.

"These additional officers are being recruited and trained and will be arriving in local communities by February 2019.

"Prior to the setting of the policing precept for 2019-2020, I am again asking for residents’ views to help inform my approach."

To complete the survey click here.