ROGER Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honour's List.

The Commissioner received this honour for services to Policing and to Community Safety.

Mr Hirst said: "It's an enormous privilege to receive this MBE in recognition of the work the PFCC has carried out in collaboration with our partners, to increase community safety, reduce crime and save lives in Essex.

"We have always advocated a collaborative approach to emergency services and public safety, focusing on bringing together police, fire, rescue, health, local authority and other partners to improve outcomes and drive efficiencies.

"Behind our work is a simple idea: safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which success, prosperity and wellbeing are built. That remains our focus - driving down crime, reducing anti-social behaviour, and delivering effective and efficient emergency services - and we will keep working with our partners to make a difference where it matters most."

Roger Hirst was first elected as the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex in May 2016 and has since been elected for a third term in May 2024. He became the first Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in the country in October 2017.

A long-standing member of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioner's Board and Finance Lead for Police and Crime Commissioner's nationally, Roger led the successful campaign to secure additional funding for policing and achieved the target of recruiting an additional 905 Essex Police officers in March 2023, making the force the biggest in its 185-year history.

Prior to his election as Commissioner, Roger was Cabinet Member at Essex County Council with responsibility for Community Safety. He was also Deputy Leader of Brentwood Borough Council and has 33 years of industry experience as a senior investment banker.