ESSEX Police has defended filling its chief constable's coffers with a five bonus bounty.

While bobbies were being removed off the beat Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh was being given more money to take to a home the force was helping to pay for.

Following national criticism earlier this week about the perks given to top cops Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst has released a breakdown of almost everything Mr Kavanagh received in 2015/16.

Essex Police also hit back at claims in the national media he had received a £26,000 rise, which were incorrect, and was claiming for food and tube tickets on top.

Mr Kavanagh received more than £200,000 in 2015/16, which would have been considerably more but in 2014/15 he reached 30 years of service meaning his plentiful pension pot was completed - with a final £40,000 installment from the force.

In May 2013 Mr Kavanagh was chosen as the best candidate to run the force on a salary of about £150,000, or about £20,000 more than the Prime Minister.

Giving him the job and a high salary was not considered enough reward for the responsibility of running the force so the then police and crime commissioner gave him his first bonus, before he started, of a ten per cent pay rise.

He received another bonus, a one per cent pay rise, in September 2014.

During the last year his total salary was £167,260.

As well as his salary and pay rises he received another bonus, a £22,808 chief officer allowance for doing the high paid job.

It is not clear why the allowance is needed on top of a boosted salary or what it pays for because Mr Kavanagh also received £6,921 for a housing allowance and £7,755 for the use of a car.

Minus car lease payments it means Mr Kavanagh made £200,195 in 2015/16, not including unitemised expenses claims.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Any expenses claimed by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh are all in line with national guidance."

"Mr Kavanagh left the Metropolitan Police following 28 years’ service and was appointed as Essex Chief Constable on May 3, 2013.

"Upon his appointment, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex exercised his discretion to vary the salary by ten per cent.

"This was a matter of public record, and was reported on, and his full remuneration package was disclosed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at this time.

"Mr Kavanagh is appalled by the assertion he is claiming money from the force to cover 'daily food bills' and 'home internet'.

"The allowances documented form part of his full remuneration package and are not individually claimed."

Mr Hirst said: "I am aware of national media coverage of the remuneration and allowances of police Chief Officers, including Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh.

"The Chief Constable provides vital leadership for Essex Police. It is incorrect to state that his compensation has been rising rapidly in this time of austerity.

“I remain committed to openness and transparency in the publication of the Chief Constable’s salary and allowances.”