New neighbourhood task teams a priority for Kent

Kent Police will receive investment for eight new neighbourhood task teams dedicated to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, Chair of Kent Police Authority Ann Barnes announced today (February 11).

Six neighbourhood task teams were originally introduced in September last year to cover each policing area of Kent. The further eight teams will mean that all 13 districts in Kent and Medway will be covered.

Each task team is made up of one sergeant and five police constables. They will be introduced in the Autumn and placed in hotspot areas for periods of time to solve ongoing problems.

Local people through Partners and Community Together meetings (PACT), can also play their part by making suggestions for priority areas of where they would like the task teams placed.

Mrs Barnes said: “This investment will more than double the number of hard hitting task teams out on our streets. The shift of one team per policing area to one per district is good news for residents. These teams will act as the enforcement arm in neighbourhood policing – making a positive difference.”

The move follows a Kent Police Authority budget meeting held today at which members agreed to increase the police council tax by 4.99 per cent. For the average band D house this is an increase of 12p a week or £6.40 a year.

The total police budget for the year was also set at £277million, a £10million increase on last year. Much of that money comes from the government with council taxpayers funding just over 30 per cent.

The decision to invest in more neighbourhood task teams follows an evaluation report carried out by Kent Police. The report looked at Medway, Mid Kent and South Kent and the impact of task teams already in place. All three areas saw a decrease in all recorded crime including vehicle crime, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

Mrs Barnes added: “It is clear from our research that the task teams are reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, with knock on improvements to the quality of life for residents. Our six teams are stretched at the moment as they cover large areas. By bringing in new resources we can do so much more.

“Kent Police Authority, together with Essex and Sussex, have the lowest police council tax for all shire Authorities in England and Wales. Whilst this is a good deal for council taxpayers it leaves us substantially below the national average. These are difficult times and this has been the hardest year for the Authority in making a decision due to the economic climate. This was not a decision taken lightly and we have exhausted alternative options. Our consultation work has shown that the public want to have more task teams out there on the streets and support a small increase to make sure Kent Police has the resources it needs. The task teams are a value for money investment that will make neighbourhoods safer and improve the quality of life for residents.”

Michael Fuller, Kent Police Chief Constable said: “I`m pleased the Authority has agreed to this investment. We made a strong case and we hope that Kent and Medway residents will see a continued reduction in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage as a result. It`s another step towards us showing residents that when they tell us what their priorities are, we will take action.

“Each district will now have a team dedicated to specific areas to deal with longer-term issues. We will have an extra 48 officers out on our streets and I`m confident they will make a big impact. The additional teams will bring a huge benefit to Kent Police operationally and will improve the quality of life of residents.”