Pilot project could be extended

Town centre police numbers could be boosted further following a review of a pilot scheme.

Some 56 extra officers were recruited last year to work in high streets. A total of 26 towns, including Maidstone, now boast their own dedicated town centre officers to tackle crime during the evening hours, such as anti-social behaviour and theft.

The County Town was allocated five while Tunbridge Wells got four and Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Ditton, Aylesford and East Malling each were boosted by one officer.

Asked during last week’s Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel at County Hall whether more would be hired, crime commissioner Matthew Scott said the programme would be evaluated next month.

“Assuming the review is positive, we will be looking at how to develop this further,” he told the committee.

The pilot scheme is based on analysis of crime levels and demand, notably anti-social behaviour levels. If expanded the commissioner said he would prioritise the nine towns which are not currently involved in the scheme.

Council tax hikes for policing in Kent will generate an extra £8.4m to boost officer numbers. The increases will come after crime commissioner Matthew Scott’s funding proposal for the next financial year was unanimously approved by councillors last Thursday.

Under his plans, the amount the average Band D household will have to pay towards the police precept will grow from £193.15 to £203.15 - a 5.2% rise. It will fund 36 new PSCOs, including 15 dedicated to crime prevention. There will also be 100 more civilian staff to support front-line officers, notably more community liaison officers. Mr Scott told the Kent Police and Crime Panel: “If you ask residents to pay more, they should get more in return for that. My plan provides a balance to meeting the needs of policing in 2020 and the growing expectation that residents have for the services they receive.” Councillors were also told the