Police numbers in Deal have been given a boost with six dedicated officers now serving the town.
The five officers and a town centre constable represent an increase from two to six dedicated officers for the Deal area – on top of those who continue to cover the town on a wider basis.
Across Kent recruitment drives are underway for 380 extra officers, meaning by March next year total numbers are expected to be up by a fifth (3,779) compared to five years before (3,182).
Assurances on deployment were given to me in a meeting with District commander Chief Inspector Elena Hall and Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Nigel Brookes at Dover Police Station in Ladywell.
Both the officer numbers and the funding going in is encouraging, because it is vital that everyone in this area feels our streets are safe and secure.
Our officers do such a good job – and I congratulated them for their work ensuring violent crime in Dover district fell 10 per cent last year – the biggest drop in Kent.
We now need to see the new officers go in and work with the community too, so that each and every person here feels safe and protected.