New Police and Crime Plan

1st April 2022

New Police and Crime Plan unveiled for Kent

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has today launched his new Police and Crime Plan.  It makes tackling violence against women and girls a key priority for Kent Police.

The Plan, called Making Kent Safer, is a blueprint for the Force and sets out its main objectives for the following three years. 

These are:

• To work with residents and businesses to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.
• To tackle violence against women and girls.
• To protect people from exploitation and abuse.
• To combat organised crime and county lines.
• To be visible and responsive to the needs of communities.
• To prevent road danger and support Vision Zero *
• To protect young people and provide opportunities.

As well at the key priorities, the Force should abide by several “guiding principles”, including putting victims and witnesses at the heart of everything it does and understanding that crime is important no matter where it takes place (be it in rural, urban or coastal areas).

The Commissioner will measure the Force’s success at quarterly meetings with the Chief Constable.

Matthew Scott says,

 “ Since I wrote my last plan, a lot has changed and I think my new plan reflects some of these changes.  For a start I have redoubled my focus on tackling violence against women and girls.    I will want to know how offenders are being held to account, how collaboration with partners is functioning to make women and girls feel safer how well we are caring for and supporting victims. 

I have also prioritised road safety in my new Plan.   We all know too many people continue to drive too fast, sometimes on their phones, under the influence of drink or drugs. Vision Zero is Kent County Council’s Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce to zero the number of deaths on our roads by 2050.  I’m supporting that campaign and want us all to play our part.

Antisocial behaviour is something local communities care deeply about. The Force must ensure it has the right resources and skills to investigate these issues and where possible, bring those responsible to justice.”

NOTE TO EDITORS:

*Vision Zero is Kent County Council’s goal to reduce the number of deaths on the roads to zero by 2050.

Kent and Medway’s Police and Crime Panel approved the new plan earlier this year.