28^th Feb 2025

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner secures an additional £1.5 million, to fund extra police patrols in “crime hotspot” areas.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott says he’s delighted that the Government is giving Kent Police an additional £1.5 million to pay for more visible police patrols in areas where there has historically been more antisocial behaviour and criminality.

There are currently 27 areas around Kent and Medway which are designated “antisocial behaviour hotspots” and 24 zones designated as “serious violence hotspots”.   Since the increased officer deployment (which began April 2024), reports of antisocial behaviour across the county fell by 4.5% compared to the previous year and the number of serious violence offences dropped by 6.3%.

Serious violence fell in 18 of the 24 of the designated zones and antisocial behaviour reports fell in 16 of the 27 areas.

Matthew Scott says,

“I’m pleased the government has been persuaded to continue to fund these increased “hotspot” patrols.  It’s a tactic which is working and which is popular. Every week I meet residents and business owners who tell me the increased visible police has improved their communities and makes them feel safer. It’s not only improving lives but building trust in the police.  We understand there is still work to do, but the Chief Constable and I are delighted to have secured this additional funding and we will make sure it is used to help communities which need it most.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

You can access the above figures on our website, from the Making Kent Safer Paper at our December Performance and Delivery Board. Click here for the link:

Performance and Delivery Board