ESSEX Police has been looking back at a year of service from its Force Support Unit.

Its officers provide specialist armed support to teams the force, responding to serious incidents involving weapons, assisting with warrants and carrying out patrols across the region's roads.

Firearms officers are response specialists, ready to answer calls and engage in pursuits at a moment's notice.

Despite the fact armed officers have made hundreds of arrests during firearms deployments during 2025, they have not had to fire a shot in the line of duty since 2015.

They practice calm, professional and controlled armed policing, ensuring threats are swiftly eliminated without pulling a trigger.

In 2025, they:

• Attended 14,000 incidents.
•  Made 336 arrests.
• Carried out 350 stop-searches.
• Carried out 285 spontaneous firearms deployments, and another 125 which were planned in advance.
• Assisted with executing 215 warrants.

'Integral part of the force'

Armed policing Chief Inspector Jennifer Bliss said: "The public in Essex should feel reassured that we have specially trained officers on hand to respond to serious incidents when they do arise.

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"While incidents requiring a firearms deployment are mercifully rare in our county, when they do happen, my officers can be ready and responding within seconds.

"They've helped make hundreds of arrests across the year and have been an integral part of our response to crimes from burglaries and thefts, to drug-related offending and serious violence.

"They also patrol the county daily and actively contribute towards keeping our residents safe on the roads.

"They also frequently respond to medical emergencies due to their training, and this year have literally saved lives thanks to their rapid response to such incidents.

"I am genuinely proud to lead such a highly trained, professional team."