Police officers will in future visit every Medway resident who complains about anti-social behaviour and criminal activities to investigate and reassure them.

That is the target set by Supt Steve Corbishley for the Medway force, he told a major crime conference in Rochester this morning.

It had been organised in a bid to turn public opinion from believing that Medway was an unsafe community.

He hopes to achieve the target within 12 months.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Gary Beautridge, said Medway's crime figures were rapidly reducing, it weas one of the safest communities in Kent, yet local residents did not believe the facts.

The conference was opened by the Home Office minister responsible for crime reduction, Alan Campbell.

He promised the 150-strong audience the community would have a greater say in how it is policed.

The day long event is the first stage in what the police and Medway Council, working as partners, hope will turn public perceptions of the five Towns.