Annual Report 23/24 Accessible Version

Be responsive to emerging issues and trends through innovation

Operation Voice

Kent Police focuses on the offences that are most likely to contribute to death and serious injury on our roads, including speed, the use of mobile phones, seatbelts and impairment through alcohol or drugs. They also deal with drivers for other offences including no tax and insurance.

Tackling road danger is also a priority for me which is why I was pleased to secure £100,000 funding from the Department of Transport to run a pilot initiative involving officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopping drivers who had a history of violence towards women and girls.

The activity took place in December and focused on drivers in Ashford, Chatham, Gillingham, Margate, Ramsgate and Dover.

A number of drivers stopped had a history of prior offending, including for violence against women and girls and drug driving. As this initiative proves, roads policing also has other applications and can be used to target a multitude of offenders to make the county’s roads and neighbourhoods safer.

The initiative has continued into 2024/25 at various locations around Kent.

Outcomes

83 stops conducted resulting in: 55 Traffic Offence Reports or Graduated Fixed Penalty Notices; ten drivers arrested for being impaired and three vehicles seized.

MoJ Local Integration of Women Services (£118,197)

In October 2022, Kent Police and the OPCC submitted a collaborative bid to the MoJ to develop a Whole System Approach to improving the outcomes of women in, or at risk of contact with the CJS.

Kent was one of a small number of areas to secure funding; in total £208,954 for 2022/23 to 2024/25.

As a result of the funding Kent Police have recruited a temporary Women’s Justice post to lead on the creation of a Women’s Justice Strategy for Kent, with a focus on proportionality in CJ outcomes and understanding root causes of offending. Through the established Women’s Forum in Kent and Medway, links have been made with a number of providers and agencies to map the current support offer for women across a range of topics including homelessness, debt, education, recruitment, DA, and mental health.

Outreach has initially been focused on the custody environment, speaking to women, and understanding the range of needs they require support with. An advocacy offer has been developed with a provider who will deliver the single point of contact for all women (aged 18+) who have additional support needs identified or have been issued with a police caution.

Safer Streets Fund 5 – Protecting Public Spaces

The HO launched the fifth round of the Safer Streets Fund in July 2023, with a focus on: tackling neighbourhood crime (domestic burglary, robbery, theft from person, vehicle crime); ASB; VAWG in public places, including inside night-time economy (NTE) venues; and improving feelings of safety from VAWG or ASB.

Funding had to be targeted within defined geographic areas where evidence demonstrated a disproportionate impact from the defined crime types.

Following an extensive data review, three districts were identified and evidence-based bids developed. I was successful in securing funding for all three bids, totalling £1.4 million over the period 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2024.

Below are examples of activity delivered in each area:

Youth Survey

In April 2023 I launched an online survey to understand the online and offline experiences of young people.

The survey link was circulated to all schools and colleges in Kent by email, as well as youth groups and police cadet units.

All information was provided anonymously to encourage honesty and to protect the privacy of those taking part.

In total 4,400 responses were received revealing:

1% had been bullied online (up from 18% five years ago).

Of those bullied online, 53.7% had told a parent /guardian, 44.1% a friend, but 22.1% told no-one.

5% of those bullied online still used the App on which the abuse took place and 56.9% knew the culprit.

5% had bullied someone online.

2% had been bullied, picked on or harassed on their way to or from school/college.

The results showed how important it is to educate young people about online safety and what constitutes a healthy relationship and appropriate behaviour. Young people’s lives are dominated by Apps and social media and so it is important to arm them with the tools they need to protect themselves.

As a result of the survey, and because of their ability to open the door to honest conversations with young people, the Collaborate Digital schools’ programme was extended.

The Survey Report can be found on the OPCC website.

Victim Voice

I continued to promote my Victim Voice scheme which highlights the help and support available to victims of crime in Kent and Medway.

Victim Voice provides information on the Victims’ Code, navigating the CJS and how to access independent advice and support. It also explains how to contact the police, what to expect from the various CJS agencies and what to do if the service received falls short of expectations.

Victims have repeatedly told me they feel their voice is not heard and that reporting a crime often does not lead to appropriate action. I want people to feel confident that when they report crime, they get the information and support they deserve, and are legally entitled to. And to make people aware they can access help, even if they have not reported the incident.

Victim Voice was updated in 2023/24 to ensure it remained accurate and current and can be accessed via the OPCC website. I also delivered Victim Voice presentations to groups and at meetings all over the county.