The following is a Christmas and New Year message from Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex. You can also watch Mr Hirst's video message, included with this article.

"THE festive season is now upon us and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

"2020 has been an extremely difficult year, the pandemic has affected us all, having a big impact on our health, our businesses and of course financially.

"The news this weekend that most of Essex is now in a Tier 4 area and that our planned Christmas celebrations will have to change will have come as a blow to us all. But we have got to protect our families and friends and all those who are dear to us. Remember hands, face, space.

"It's Christmas and we want to celebrate but we have to follow the restrictions. During the pandemic, you, the people of Essex, have worked so hard to keep people safe and we have no doubt that you will continue to do what we all need to do and the police will continue with their approach of engage, explain, encourage and only then enforce.

"We know the majority of you, as you have before, will continue to do the right thing."