IN the summer of 2005, the Echo delivered a provisional judgment on the then new, and untested, Essex Chief Constable.

"He talks well, his ideas are sound, now let's see how he delivers," was the initial verdict on Roger Baker. Two years on, the time is right for an uncompromising thumbs-up. It is not the Baker style to throw statistics at the press and public - a welcome change in itself.

He seems to prefer the notion that actions speak for themselves.

However, one set of independent statistics, with no axe to grind for Essex Police, serves to highlight the good work being done in the county.

National figures from the Conservative party cover community policing.

We have a higher proportion of officers returned to this role than any other county bar one.

This is what the public has pleaded for. Previous regimes wrung their hands and talked about the difficulties. Mr Baker acted. He hauled his officers away from desk jobs and got them out on the streets.

He talks well, his ideas are sound, he has delivered.