Performance and Measurement

Summary

Kent has a population of 1.62 million and borders four other policing areas including the Metropolitan Police Service. As the ‘Gateway to Europe’, over 30 million passengers travel through the county’s ports and Channel tunnel links annually. The strategic roads network carries over 5 million commercial vehicle movements each year. Operation Stack, the closure of the M20 due to ports disruption, draws heavily on police resources and was implemented on six occasions during 2007/08. Sharing common boundaries with the county’s 12 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, the force is configured into six basic command units delivering local policing. Major operational commitments in 2007/8 included the continuing Tonbridge Securitas robbery investigation, a national animal rights operation, the Tour de France, Brands Hatch motor events, and a visit by HRH Prince of Wales. Additionally, the force is committed to significant counter-terrorism work including embedding Special Branch officers at basic command unit level and a range of continuing operations.

In HMIC’s recent inspections assessing performance in tackling major crime, neighbourhood policing and citizen focus, the force met the required standard in each area under inspection, notably demonstrating significant strengthening in its delivery of neighbourhood policing since 2006/07.

Kent’s 2007/08 statutory performance indicator performance shows improvement over the previous year, with significant reductions in the risk of becoming a victim of crime and the level of actual crime. Sanction detection rates increased by 2.8%, and the number of offences brought to justice increased by 3.5%. Confidence levels have shown increases since 2006/07, notably showing a 6% increase in satisfaction with the whole experience amongst victims of racist incidents. Perceptions of anti-social behaviour as a problem also decreased significantly.

Comprehensive consultation with the public and stakeholders identified the priorities underpinning the 2007/10 Policing Plan with Neighbourhood Policing and Protective Services highlighted as particularly important local issues. Two local priorities were set for 2007/08, with targets established for reducing the level of criminal damage and increasing the number of organised crime groups dismantled. Kent exceeded its locally set stretch targets for both priorities.

Although HMIC’s 2007 inspections did not identify major areas for improvement, the force has responded to all recommendations and areas for improvement, robustly monitoring progress alongside work in progress.

Improved resilience and performance within Protective Services has been delivered through completion of an investment programme and development of a comprehensive performance management regime. £23 million has been recovered from the Securitas robbery investigation with 5 convictions and further trials due to commence in October 2008. Performance improvements are wide ranging, and include the embedding of Neighbourhood Policing, leading to improved public perceptions, greater public confidence and lower levels of worry about crime and anti-social behaviour. Kent performed well in the Audit Commission’s Police Use of Resources Evaluation. Ongoing collaboration with Essex enables further savings to be made in operational and support functions.

Demand continues to increase across the breadth of policing activity. Significant countywide population growth will increase the need for police services. Further challenges include the management of dangerous offenders and the growth in electronic crimes, which require new policing techniques. Whilst performance has improved significantly, a key challenge is to improve comparative performance. Kent’s 3 year Strategic Priorities recognise this and focus on becoming a top performing force nationally and by comparison to peers. Debt free, Kent has a strong financial base to draw on.