Annual Report 23/24 Accessible Version

Policing Vision 2025

First published in 2016 by the APCC and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Policing Vision 2025 set out a decade-long plan for policing to shape decisions about how police forces use their resources to keep people safe.

It set out what a police service should look like in 2025:

1) Local policing tailored to society’s complex and diverse needs.

2) Specialist capabilities better prepared to respond to existing and emerging crime types.

3) A workforce of confident professionals able to operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.

4) Digital policing will make it easier for the public to make contact with the police.

5) Joined up business delivery of policing support services and community safety.

6) Clear accountability arrangements.

As evidenced through this report, I am satisfied that Kent Police either delivered, or is on the path to delivering the Policing Vision 2025.

Whilst funding nationally remains difficult, the force has continued to increase its accessibility and visibility with the introduction of a new Neighbourhood Policing Model that forms the bedrock of its service, and delivered appropriate specialist capability to tackle all forms of criminality.

Accountability arrangements are also clear and transparent with opportunities for the public to observe them in practice.

Policing Vision 2030 has now been published and builds on the successes of Vision 2025.

Legislation

New or amended legislation represent real opportunities to make Kent safer.

During 2023/24, I am satisfied that Kent Police embraced new legislation such as the Investigatory Powers (Amendment0 Act 2024 for the benefit of protecting local communities and keeping the county safe.

Having received updates at my Performance and Delivery Board meetings, I am also reassured the force provides training for officers and staff, empowers them to take appropriate action and puts in place the right resources to address relevant provisions.

Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody

Police custody may only be used where it is both necessary and proportionate to the investigation of an offence. Detainees in police custody are often among the most vulnerable in society and there is a significant duty of care on the police.

As Home Secretary, Theresa May commissioned the independent review of deaths and serious incidents in police custody, and appointed Dame Elish Angiolini as independent chair. The review published its report on 30 October 2017, making 110 recommendations for improvement. The Government’s response was published on the same date.

In recognition of PCCs being accountable to the public, and responsible for holding police forces to account, the report included the following recommendation:

‘Recommendation 53 - PCCs should report annually on deaths and serious incidents in police custody in their jurisdictions’.

The IOPC requires forces to submit a mandatory referral when there is a death or serious injury (DSI) in custody. The IOPC defines a DSI as ‘Any circumstances in, or as a result of which, a person has died or sustained serious injury who at the time had been arrested by a person serving with the police and not released, or was detained in the custody of a person serving with the police. A serious injury is a fracture, deep cut, deep laceration or injury causing damage to an internal organ or the impairment of any bodily function. Any loss of consciousness resulting from a medical episode would constitute a DSI’.

In 2023/24, a total of 26,941 people were processed through Kent custody suites. I can report the force recorded no deaths in police custody and 28 serious injuries. The majority involved no lasting injury and they predominantly related to self-harm and collapses caused by prior consumption of drugs or alcohol.

Among the most important safeguards available to those in police custody are Appropriate Adults, who ensure that both children and vulnerable adults understand custody processes, and that their rights and entitlements are respected. ICVs managed by the OPCC also have a key role to play in safeguarding people detained in police custody.

Whilst I acknowledge that due to the nature of policing it is impossible to entirely eradicate deaths and serious injuries in police custody, I am reassured that Kent Police takes all reasonable steps to minimise the risks as far as possible, and that when such incidents do occur, they have procedures in place that are efficient, effective and humane.

As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I’m happy to help or answer your questions.  Please get in touch with me:

Email:         [email protected]

Post: 

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Kent Police HQ

Sutton Road

Maidstone

ME15 9BZ

Phone:        01622 677055

Website:     www.kent-pcc.gov.uk

X (previously Twitter): @PCCKent

Instagram:  @pcc_kent

Facebook:  KentPCC

Nextdoor:   Kent PCC