Press releases

Invitation to inspect the draft accounts for the PCC and Chief Constable for Kent.

Matthew Scott wins PCC election 2024

It will be his third term

PCC’s new roads initiative targets persistent offenders

PCC Statement following the Angiolini Report

Response to the first part of the Inquiry

PCC's budget for 2024/25 approved unanimously by councillors

Tackling antisocial behaviour at the heart of PCC’s budget plan

People in Kent DO still trust the police

The results of our survey

Kent's Independent Custody Visiting Scheme recognised in National Awards

PCC statement on latest HMICFRS report into Kent Police

Kent PCC secures over £900,000 to make local towns safer

PCC statement on the North Kent PFI building

PCC welcomes decision to allow Chief Constables more power to dismiss corrupt officers

Do you trust Kent Police?

PCC launches survey to find out what people think of the force.

Survey reveals nearly 30% of young people have been bullied online.

26% have been bullied on way to or from school.

PCC asks farmers to join a consultation to prevent equipment theft.

The PCC hosts a special meeting focussing on rural crime.

Invitation to inspect the draft accounts for the PCC and Chief Constable of Kent.

PCC backs new strategy to tackle fraudsters

Matthew Scott welcomes proposed crackdown on scammers

Record numbers of police officer in Kent

PCC welcomes news that Kent has more officers than ever before

PCC launches Youth Cyber Survey

He wants to know the extent of online bullying

PCC reacts to Government's proposals to combat antisocial behaviour

Matthew Scott welcomes quicker and tougher penalties

Matthew Scott's statement on the Casey Report

PCC's views on the Metropolitan Police and how it affects Kent

PCC calls for tougher penalties for fly-tippers

He says its costing taxpayers millions to clear up.

New Healthy Relationships and Internet Safety Scheme for Kent Schools

The new programme is a result of the VAWG inquiry

PCC launches Victim Voice initiative

Find out about victims' rights and what support they can access

Councillors unanimously approve Budget Proposal

Matthew Scott's proposal accepted by Police and Crime Panel

PCC proposes his budget for 2023 to 2024

Plan announced aimed at protecting the police service

PCC awards £1 million contract to Victim Support

Improved victim services for Kent and Medway

Tim Smith officially appointed Chief Constable of Kent Police

PCC and new Chief Constable sign contracts

PCC proposes Tim Smith as new Chief Constable for Kent

Current Temporary Chief Constable preferred candidate

PCC writes to Government supporting a tough stance on drug use.

PCC supports tougher action on drugs.

PCC asks what the public wants in a new Chief Constable

What would you like the new Chief to focus on?

PCC launches Report into Violence Against Women and Girls in Kent

The results of the PCC's 10 month Inquiry

PCC secures more than £1.4m to improve safety in Kent and Medway towns

Safer Streets initiative extended to cover more areas

PCC extends successful Mini Cadet School programme

The popular mini cadet initiative will continue in Kent

Pupils pledge to promote safety

The VRU facilitate knife crime commitment pledge at local School

PCC accuses the Met of trying to poach Kent Police Officers

Read here to find out what else the PCC said

999 call answering times and the Officer Verification Scheme

Updates from the Performance and Delivery Board

New Service to Tackle County Lines Launched in Kent

PCC announces Catch22 provision for Kent

PCC welcomes promise of more judges for Kent

More judiciary promised to ease the backlog.

PCC statement on HMICFRS report on Kent Police

Read the Commissioner's statement here

PCC unveils new Police and Crime Plan

New priorities set for Kent Police over next 3 years

Invitation to inspect the draft accounts for the PCC and Chief Constable of Kent.

PCC secures over £5m to fund Violence Reduction Unit

More money to make our streets safer

Chief Constable reviews night time patrols following PCC women and girls survey

More patrols at night where people feel unsafe

Illegal e scooters can cause fires says PCC

Fires caused by illegal e scooters triple in a year

PCC welcomes prison investment for Kent

Police Budget Approved

Councillors agree PCC's budget proposal

Nightingale Court extended

An additional 18 months to help ease court delays

Kent PCC budget plan to make Force fit for the future.

Statement from the PCC, Matthew Scott about his budget plan

Violence Against Women and Girls Survey results released

Find out what you said in our poll

PCC welcomes life sentence for David Fuller

Whole life sentence for double murderer and mortuary offender

PCC launches White Ribbon Day

He says all men should stand up against violence against women.

Male Victims of Stalking need to report cases to police

Data show men less likely to come forward if they're stalked

Children say Cyber Bullying Awareness scheme works

Survey shows more children will report online bullying

PCC wins funding to improve safety in town centres for women.

More money to make streets in Ashford and Medway safer for all

David Fuller Case

Kent PCC statement on the David Fuller Case

2021 Police and Crime Plan Survey

Have your say: PCC launches survey to find out how safe women and girls feel in Kent

PCC launches survey about violence against women and girls.

Funding secured for innovative rehabilitation programmes for domestic abuse and stalking offenders.

Funding for rehabilitation schemes for domestic abuse offenders

PCC launches inquiry into VAWG crimes

Over the next 6 months, Mr Scott will embark on a VAWG inquiry

PCC calls for pay rise for police officers and staff

PCC writes to government asking for a review of a pay freeze

Knife Crime Awareness Bus launched

Anti knife art competition bus takes to the streets

PCC targets fly-tipping in month long rural campaign

PCC targets fly-tipping in month long rural campaign

Kent Police and OPCC Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 published

Kent Police and OPCC draft statement of accounts 2020/21

PCC asks Chief Constable if violence against women is priority for the Force.

PCC asks if Force treats violence against women as a priority.

PCC welcomes Kent's first Mini Cadets to the police family!

PCC welcomes Kent's first Mini Cadets to the police family!

Nearly £770,000 for Safer Streets

PCC welcomes Nightingale Court for Kent

PCC welcomes Nightingale Court for Kent

Matthew Scott wants e scooter trial expansion to stop!

E-scooter trials should be halted

PCC receives £1.3 million to help victims

The PCC has secured an increase in Government funding

More money to prevent youth violence

The VRU has received further funding

Matthew Scott wins second term as PCC

Matthew Scott wins second term as PCC

Kent's businesses don't report all crime to the police, even though most experience it.

PCC's Business Crime Survey Results.

More funding for Kent's Violence Reduction Unit

Kent given nearly £1.8m in government grant to tackle violence.

Money back for Kent Police, following Christmas border closures.

Government reimbursement for Border Closures

Transparency Award for the Fifth Year running

Kent's OPCC wins highest transparency award by monitoring body.

Kent’s police budget approved by Kent & Medway Police and Crime Panel

Kent & Medway Police and Crime Panel agree budget

Matthew Scott supports a new task force to tackle problems affecting communities from the policing precept of your council tax

New PCSO taskforce launched

PCC budget will see Police numbers continue to rise to unprecedented levels

PCC budget will see Police numbers continue to rise

Smart motorways should be reviewed

Kent's PCC says smart motorways are unsafe

Annual Policing Survey 2020

Matthew Scott is asking Kent residents for their views

Matthew Scott backs a separate and bespoke strategy to end intimate violence of men and boys

PCC backs a strategy to end violence against men and boys

PCC thanks funded services for their hard work

The hard work put in by victim services has continued

Bosses invited to tell PCC about business crime

Survey responses will capture views about policing and crime

Your chance to have your say on road safety

Matthew Scott encourages residents across Kent to complete survey

PCC extends Chief Constable of Kent Police contract

Alan Pughsley will continue to lead Kent Police until 2025

500 life-saving emergency trauma packs being distributed across Kent

VRU-funded roll-out is believed to be a 'UK first'

Domestic abuse victims seeking urgent help from services funded by the PCC

Matthew Scott held a panel discussion with victims charities

Number of Kent Police officers now exceeds 2010 level

Figures show officer numbers reached 3,800 at the end of June

£111,000 investment in Gillingham to make local streets safer

Matthew Scott is receiving £111,005 from the Safer Streets Fund

PCC’s investment bearing fruit as crime falls by 5% in Kent

ONS data reports 9,392 fewer crimes in Kent than in 2018/19

Kent’s 101 call waiting times fall significantly after investment from the PCC

Non-emergency calls are now typically answered in under a minute

Almost £700,000 awarded to charities in light of lockdown

The money is to help provide services in response to Covid-19

'Like most, I have been reflecting...'

Matthew Scott penned a special blog following recent BLM protests

Matthew Scott and Chief Constable discuss rises in domestic abuse

PCC held his Performance and Delivery Board virtually on 3 June

Kent Police and the OPCC's draft Statement of Accounts 2019/20 published

Public able to inspect and challenge the accounts until 16 July

Covid-19: PCC invites Kent charities to bid for money to help victims of abuse

Mr Scott has up to £624,000 from the Ministry of Justice to award

Covid-19: PCC reiterates call for those who spit at officers to be locked up

There have been 104 incidents in Kent in the last nine weeks

Covid-19: ICVs making video calls to check on detainees' welfare

Volunteers using technology to adhere to social distancing rules

Data shows crime in Kent fell by more than 4,000 incidents in 2019

Matthew Scott welcomes data which shows crime in Kent fell by 2%

Covid-19: PCC backs campaign to protect key workers

Matthew Scott condemns those who assault those keeping us safe

Covid-19: A message from the PCC

'Thank you to all of those working in our emergency services'

Matthew Scott delivers on his promise to increase police officer numbers

Kent Police to have 550 more officers, compared with spring 2016

New stalking advocate to provide specialist support to victims

Victim Support has developed an enhanced service at PCC's request

Government awards Kent with £123,000 to fund 150 Tasers

News comes in the same week Kent received £1.1m of surge funding

Keeping Medway safe is at the heart of new task force

Partnership stemmed from the PCC's Violence Reduction Challenge

Safer Internet Day: PCC visits tour teaching pupils about the dangers of over-sharing online

5,000 young people will see his 'Is It Worth It?' tour this month

Unanimous approval for PCC's transformational budget

Matthew Scott met 100 new officers, and will be funding 181 more

Community policing and crime prevention to receive significant boost

Matthew Scott announces budget and precept plan for 2020/21

Kent’s PCC: ‘Crime data shows additional police officers are having a positive impact’

Overall recorded crime in Kent falls by 3.1%

Kent teen turning his life around thanks to Matthew Scott and St Giles Trust

Police Custody Liaison Scheme has helped over 70 young people

PCC updates Home Secretary and Policing Minister on recruitment plans

Topics discussed included recruitment and a Police Covenant

Supporting male victims of physical and emotional abuse

On International Men's Day, PCC praises Dads Unlimited and Davss

PCC's Cyber-Bullying Survey 2019

Matthew Scott wants to hear your experiences of online abuse

Kent PCC Matthew Scott welcomes Home Office plan to toughen legislation on unlawful encampments

Police could get new powers to tackle unauthorised caravan sites

New Kent Police town centre officers announced

PCC's precept has funded an additional 38 dedicated officers

Actions needed to better identify and support victims with mental health problems

PCC asked Victim Support to look at where services could improve

Matthew Scott delighted that Kent is receiving funding for 147 more police officers

Government confirms first allocations of 20,000 new officers

Kent's new VRU will provide help for young people affected by knife crime

PCC successful in applying to the Home Office for more than £1.1m

Statement on Tunbridge Wells Police Station

Mr Scott responds to reports suggesting the site is to be sold

Kent Police growing faster than any force in England and Wales

New police workforce data shows Kent added 291 officers in a year

More young people to be warned against gang involvement thanks to PCC's Violence Reduction Fund

Projects have been awarded money to reduce violent crime

PCC launches his Annual Policing Survey for 2019

Matthew Scott is keen to hear the views of residents across Kent

Matthew Scott welcomes additional Government funding to tackle causes of serious violence in Kent

Home Office has allocated almost £1.7million to Kent

Faces of Kent's 'most wanted' displayed in Dartford shopping centre

PCC launches new initiative in shopping centre - a UK first

Matthew Scott welcomes commitment to end use of cells as a place of safety

He recommended the move in his APCC mental health lead role

Volunteers wanted to join nationally-recognised custody visiting scheme

The OPCC's ICV scheme checks on detainees in cells

Kent Police's 101 call performance praised by Policing Minister

Nick Hurd says 'Kent Police has shown what is possible'

PCC welcomes Government commitment to better protect police drivers

'Our brave police officers and staff deserve our protection'

Kent Police and the OPCC's draft Statement of Accounts 2018/19 published

Public able to inspect and challenge the accounts until 14 June

Matthew Scott: 'Kent Police is the best police force in the country'

PCC delighted with latest HMICFRS independent inspection report

NSPCC receives £50,000 from Victim Specialist Services Fund

'Letting the Future In' provides help for child victims of abuse

Spotting the signs of modern day slavery

Business leaders attended event on protecting vulnerable workers

£1m fund announced to tackle causes of violent crime

New fund, and Medway Task Force, announced after VRC

Policing Minister confirms extra £3.5million for Kent Police to manage EU Exit

Home Office has now provided the force with £4.3million

More Kent Police officers to be trained to use Taser

'Absolutely vital that we give officers the equipment they need'

A partnership approach is required to tackling violent crime

Speaking out in the wake of heightened interest in knife crime

Calls for improved response to violence and exploitation

PCC attended a summit on gangs hosted by Children's Commissioner

Diverting more young people from a life of drugs, exploitation and crime

PCC and Home Office announce £800,000 for the St Giles Project

Council tax 2019/20: Plan for 180 additional police officers approved

Kent Police to return to 96% of its peak officer strength

Matthew Scott talks local policing with local representatives

The PCC has recently met with Kent's MPs and parish councillors

PCC looking to enhance services in Kent for victims of crime and abuse

Groups can bid for up to £50,000 to support victims' recovery

Matthew Scott welcomes Kent Police being judged outstanding for accuracy of its crime recording

HMICFRS finds Kent Police records 96.6% of crime reported to it

Continuing the biggest recruitment drive in Kent Police’s history

PCC outlines plan for council tax precept in 2019/20