Police numbers in south Essex are being bolstered in a bid to boost detection rates to "an all-time high" and cut crime to even lower record levels.

Senior officers in command of Basildon and Thurrock districts are looking to crack crime trends.

Operation Sprint is a three-month policing flood to the region which will add to existing high levels of visible policing patrols on the roads and streets while squads of detectives seconded from police headquarters and other divisions will look to clear up crime and increase its detection to new levels.

South-West Divisional Commander Chief Supt Simon Coxall says this will offer further reassurance to residents and dissuade criminal gangs from travelling to towns and villages in order to assault, vandalise and steal.

"My officers have done a sterling job over the past three years as they have slashed crime to some unbelievable levels," said Chief Supt Coxall.

"However, there are still criminals who are coming to south Essex, scarring our performance and making people unhappy. They need to be turned away, but if they insist on coming here then my advice to them is to bring a lawyer and tell loved ones they may be some time.

"The higher-visible presence on the roads and streets will be backed up by larger teams of detectives who will look to hold to account those newly arrested for any undetected crimes. We need to show residents that we care about them and bring their attackers to justice."

Special constables from elsewhere in the county are also being drafted in as the division looks to set new record crime reduction and offence detection levels, with officers reinforcing high-visibility patrols in residential and commercial areas in a bid to deter criminals from the area and to arrest those who cannot resist the temptation.

Despite south-west Essex attracting 25 per cent of the county's overall crime, police were still able to reduce car crime by 10 per cent as well as detect 1,000 more offences last year.

However, senior officers are still determined to demonstrate to the 300,000 residents living in Basildon and Thurrock that they mean business.

Chief Supt Coxall added: "I'm proud of my officers, proud of their achievements and proud to lead a division that wants to become the best-performing in Essex. This three-month operation will help realise the potential and make us reach our goals."