21st Feb 2025

Kent’s Chief Constable tells the PCC the cost of housing seized XL Bullies could exceed £1 million.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott was told by CC Tim Smith that the potential cost of looking after seized banned dogs has already cost the force over £600,000 and is likely to cost £1,028,181 by the end of the financial year.

The revelations were made during the PCC’s quarterly Performance and Delivery Board held this week.

Mr. Smith also revealed the force had trained two additional staff to enforce the legislation. 

The Chief Constable said,

“There has been a significant increase in costs, not just financial costs like kennelling and vets, but a strain on our staff too. We have had to train an additional two dog handlers as dog legislation officers, bringing our number to six.  I do fully support the legislation, it is absolutely right, but it has not come with any support from government at this stage, so it does remain a challenge both operationally and financially for the force.”

You can watch a Youtube clip of the exchange here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q5sa3I7e3Y

Knife Crime

Matthew Scott also asked the Chief Constable about knife crime figures, which shows a fall of 9.2% since last year.  Mr. Smith acknowledged there was still much to do, but said the current “solve” rate for knife crime offences is 26.5%, which is an increase of 5% on last year.

There has also been an increase in the knife prevention workshops taking place in schools across Kent and Medway.  More than 40,000 students have now signed the Knife Pledge, which is a commitment to keep themselves and others safe from knife crime.   

Matthew Scott says,

“I’m pleased knife crime is beginning to fall, thanks to the hard work of officers. It is still too high and we know more needs to be done, but I’m delighted to see the solve rates increasing. It’s also good to see the extensive prevention work being carried out by Kent Police, from First Aid sessions with some of our most vulnerable young people, to broader educational programmes in schools. This is a problem no-one can afford to ignore.”

ENDS