A volunteer officer at Kent Police has received a national award for coming up with an idea to help save lives across the county.

Special Inspector Jonathan Townsend is a full-time doctor who has been volunteering with Kent Police for three years.

He has been recognised by the College of Policing for his work developing Emergency Trauma Packs (ETPs) which have already saved lives in Kent.

ETPs are large bags containing more than £500 of lifesaving equipment such as dressings, bandages, a stretcher, a resus shield, thermal blankets and haemorrhage kits.

Special Inspector Townsend from Maidstone said: "I am really humbled to have received this award and it highlights all the hard work put in by the Emergency Trauma Pack team.

"It is a great privilege for me to be supported by the Special Constabulary, where I can combine my skills acquired from my day job with those achieved within the Tactical Medicine Unit.

"It is also reassuring for the public to know that Kent Police will do all it can to minimise the impact of injuries when officers attend incidents."

Initially, the packs were only placed in selected public venues and police vehicles.

But because of the success, the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott is now distributing 500 more ETPs across the county.

The locations have yet to be announced.

The ETPs have been designed to be used in medical emergencies such as a stabbing, terrorist attack or a road traffic accident.

Superintendent Jason Wenlock at Kent Police said: "I am delighted that Special Inspector Townsend’s hard work has been recognised.

"The trauma packs are a great idea that will really help our officers and members of the public to save a life."

Maidstone became the first town in Kent to introduce ETPs for use in major incidents.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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