A ROW over who pays the £1,500-a-year bill for a community police car has been taken to the top by Mannintree’s MP.

Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford councils had been asked to stump up the cash for a car used by their two police community support officers.

Now Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has waded into the argument and contacted Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston in a bid to hammer out a solution.

Mr Jenkin said the row was causing a “great deal of frustration”.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “However, as the EVOLVE programme and the new local policing plans are implemented, changes have been made across the county around matters such as the funding of PCSOs and the resources available to support them.

"I am reassured by Essex Police that there are other vehicles available and that the force is discussing future funding options with local stakeholders for this particular vehicle.”