Dover district saw a 10% fall in violent crime last year - the biggest drop in Kent.

A total of 1,339 violence with injury offences were recorded in the area in 2018/19, compared to 1,483 the year before.

Violence without injury offences reduced by 3%, with 2,410 crimes recorded in 2018/19 compared to 2,475 the year before.

Reductions in Dover also included theft - down 18%, possession of offensive weapons - down 16% and public order offences, reduced by 10%.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke says it shows the extra police presence is working.

Mr Elphicke said: “Violent crime has a huge impact on victims, so I’m proud our officers are getting on top of it. They deserve huge credit.

“I’m also pleased to see the funding we secured has led to two big recruitment drives. The most recent means we’ll soon have another 11 officers patrolling the streets of Dover and Deal.

“This is vital because people must be able to feel that our streets are safe and secure. Things are going in the right direction.”

Kent Police has recruited heavily since 2016, training 200 new officers in an initial drive followed by the current effort for a further 180.

It followed a £23.6 million cash boost from central government in April after a campaign by Kent MPs.

The government has since promised an extra 20,000 officers nationwide, meaning an 147 more in Kent over the next 18 months.

It will bring total officer numbers up 3,779, almost a fifth more compared to five years before.

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