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Plan for more beat officers in Canterbury and Thanet

Police walking the beat
Police walking the beat

Exclusive by Gerry Warren

A radical re-rethink of policing in Canterbury and Thanet will result in more than 60 desk-bound police officers being freed up to go on the beat across the area.

Police chiefs say the aim is to make the public feel safer and provide greater re-assurance by providing a higher visibility patrols.

Senior officers are frustrated that despite success in bringing down crime, levels of public confidence and satisfaction in the service remain low.

But area commander, Ch Supt John Molloy, admits the redeployment of back room staff is a "brave" departure not tried elsewhere in Kent.

He says his long-term ambition is that every resident in the district will get a visit from their neighbourhood officer and the process will start with the more vulnerable members of the community.

Mr Molloy would not reveal how the extra officers would be divided between Canterbury and Thanet - but pledged the public would see the difference.

He said: "What we have done is to look at our management processes and close down some of the back office functions which are part of the production line for investigating crime.

"It's a brave departure and a new way of doing business but will result in more officers on the streets where the public want to see them."

Read more reaction in this week's Kentish Gazette newspaper.

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