Press Release: 9 February 2005

Kent Police Authority has today set the budget for the policing of Kent at £256.52million for 2005/6

The authority also agreed an increase of 4.9 per cent to the amount of council tax paid by householders towards policing. This is equivalent to a rise of £5.22 per year for a band D council tax payer - about 10p a week.

Kent Police Chief Constable Michael Fuller welcomed the decision. He said: “This will allow us to continue the development of neighbourhood policing in Kent. We have plans to increase the number of neighbourhood police officers and police community support officers which will improve the quality of life for communities in the county.”

In the last year, the number of police officers working in neighbourhood and community roles has increased from 230 to 285. This will increase by a further 26 as neighbourhood policing grows. In addition, 86 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are already walking Kent’s streets and another 22 will follow by the end of this financial year.