Annual Report 23/24 Accessible Version

The Making Kent Safer Plan

By law, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are required to publish a Police and Crime Plan that covers their term of office, and keep it under constant review. PCCs also have a duty to consult victims and the wider community on their priorities.

On 1 April 2022, I published ‘Making Kent Safer – April 2022 to March 2025’. It sets the priorities for Kent Police, partners and my Office, as well as the overall strategic direction of policing and community safety in the county to March 2025.

I have taken the decision to formally refresh my plan annually and am committed to encouraging feedback from as many of the 1.9 million people living in the county.

My Annual Policing Survey ran from July to November 2022. I received a total of 2,964 responses – this is a summary of the results.

Victim satisfaction surveys conducted by Kent Police for certain crime types¹ consistently show satisfaction ranging from 75-90%. This is more positive than the results of Q9, and will be an area of focus in my next Police and Crime Plan.

I would like to thank all those who took the time to have their say.

However, the survey was only one element of the consultation; it also took account of correspondence received by my Office, feedback from engagement events, emerging local threats and national guidance.

As a refresh, the plan was updated where necessary but not fundamentally altered. The consultation found strong support for the priorities (Q3) and the issues respondents felt were most important were consistent with the previous year (Q16).

My refreshed plan was considered and supported by the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel. The plan was published on 1 April 2023.

At its core is integrity and transparency. As elected PCC, the public rightly expects the highest standards of behaviour from me, therefore strong ethics, integrity and transparency must be at the heart of all I do.

For the plan to be successful, underpinning the actions and decisions of the Chief Constable and myself are three overarching guiding principles, namely:

Crime is important no matter where it takes place – urban, rural or coastal communities: Kent Police must have the right resources in the right place so every crime can be investigated appropriately and proportionately, with the right outcome secured for the victim.

Victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do: victims and witnesses must feel confident to report crime to Kent Police; when they do, they must be treated with care, respect and dignity and have confidence in the criminal justice system.

Ensure that vulnerable people and those suffering mental ill health get support from the right agency: through multi-agency working Kent Police and my Office will work to reduce demand on policing and ensure the vulnerable or those suffering mental ill health receive the right help from the right agency at the right time.

The plan then outlines the priorities I have set the Chief Constable and myself:

My priorities for the Chief Constable:

1. Work with residents, communities and businesses to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour

2. Tackle violence against women and girls

3. Protect people from exploitation and abuse

4. Combat organised crime and county lines

5. Be visible and responsive to the needs of communities

6. Prevent road danger and support Vision Zero

7. Protect young people and provide opportunities

My commitments as PCC:

1. Hold all agencies to account for the delivery of an effective and efficient criminal justice system

2. Work in partnership with the police and others to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour

3. Be responsive to emerging issues and trends through innovation

4. Secure the funding that Kent needs through specific grants and the funding formula review

5. Support volunteering

6. Commission services for victims that are needs-led

The plan also recognises that the priorities do not sit in isolation but must be delivered in the context of national expectations, and in particular:

1. The Strategic Policing Requirement

2. National Crime and Policing Measures

3. Policing Vision 2025

4. Legislation