Kent Police launches new patrol boat

Kent Police has launched a new marine boat to help it protect the force and national borders.

The 53ft boat Alexandra III is the first boat the force has owned in 13 years. It will be based at Sheerness and the force hopes it will improve community policing by acting as a mobile police station on the water. The Kent coastline is one of the longest in England and acts as the maritime gateway into Europe.

Kent Police Authority made a committment as part of the council tax rise in 2007 to invest some £150,000 into the boat.

A total of three people will crew the vessel that comes complete with state-of-the-art technology allowing those on board to identify other vessels on the river.

The boat can carry a firearms team and specialist teams taking up to 16 people. The force currently has two high-speed rigid hull inflatable boats used for intercept work.

The new boat, much larger in size, will have a range of functions to compliment the rigid hulls including high visibility patrols, counter terrorism and will be used to deal with people trafficking and smuggling. It will also operate alongside the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal entry and rogue shipping.

Chief Constable Mike Fuller said: “This boat is invaluable in increasing our capability and visibility around the Kent coast and in the county’s waterways. It will dramatically enhance the work we already do with our colleagues in other police forces and agencies and help prevent the use of our coast and rivers for organised crime and terrorism.”