Less crime, better outcomes

Figures at the end of the year show we are making progress on the issues that matter

Thank you all for your support this year. Getting re-elected for a third term, in very difficult circumstances nationally, could not have happened without your tremendous assistance. I am so very grateful for your help and the trust you have placed in me.

Reflecting on the past year I am pleased to report that good progress is being made to cut crime, support victims and build trust. I am making sure that our Force is delivering for the residents and businesses they serve, and supporting our Officers and Staff with the difficult and often dangerous work they face.

Here are some of the highlights of the past twelve months.

Crime is down by 4.5%: The number of crimes recorded by police has fallen, with drops in violent crime, robbery, theft and criminal damage. It mean’s crime is down by 16% in the last five years.

Solving more crime: By improving investigations, they’ve solved 17% more crimes in the last year and increased charges.

Better call handling: I held the Chief Constable to account for poor 999 and 101 performance. We now have the second best control room in the country. In October, 97% of 999 calls were answered in under 10 seconds. On average, 101 calls were answered in 24 seconds.

Helping more victims: My support services helped over 102,000 people across Kent last year, providing advice, guidance and support on all types of crime.

Building trust: Following interaction with my support services, over 900 people reported crimes to the Police that they otherwise would not have.

Fewer drugs gangs: I continue to be relentless in making Kent a hostile place for county line drug gangs. In the last quarter alone, 39 warrants were executed against organised crime gangs.

There remain challenges ahead. Labour has put more pressure on public services with their national insurance rises, and policing will bear some of this. However, I will be determined as ever to balance our Force’s budget, as I have done every year I have been in office, whilst minimising the impact on the public.

In the year ahead, I will look to grow neighbourhood policing further, and support businesses in the fight against shoplifting. I will hold social media firms to account for the harm they are causing our children. I have called for a full and independent review of non-crime hate incidents, to end the bureaucracy and impact on freedom of speech, and support the Police in dealing with crime and antisocial behaviour instead.

Once again, thank you so much for your support.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.