It’s been a while since my last newsletter but I hope you find this series of updates and insights helpful.
Crime reduction
Getting crime down in Canterbury, Deal and Maidstone
http://matthewscott.org.uk/the-team-achieving-big-crime-reductions-in-parts-of-kent
Meet the Problem Solving Taskforce - the team set up with your council tax to deal with persistent crime and antisocial behaviour problems.
They’ve achieved reductions of over 90% in parts of Canterbury, and made a big difference in Maidstone and Deal.
An effective scheme using established problem solving methods to make Kent Safer. Click on the link to read.
Ten county lines gangs dismantled
You wanted action on drugs and gangs - we’re working together to take down county lines.
Thirty-three arrests were made and more than £20,000 cash recovered as part of an operation targeting the supply of class A drugs in Kent.
Seven weapons were also seized and 57 charges authorised during the national county lines intensification week, which ran from 7-11 March 2022.
Three years of tackling burglars and robbers
There’s a theme here - teams set up using your council tax!
The relentless pursuit of dangerous offenders has seen a single Kent Police team jail criminals for more than 1,300 years.
From the time they went operational, their investigations have seen offenders jailed for 1,318 years. They have also made 850 arrests, carried out 428 warrants and issued 2,415 charges.
Opinion from my blog
When I got on my bike to see things from another perspective
Really enjoyed going for a ride around #Maidstone with the members of San Ferry Ann Cycling Club and Maidstone Cycling Campaign Forum today. Must admit I was very out of practice on the bike but managed a decent route!
It was definitely interesting to see the town’s road and cycle network from a different perspective, especially as I’ve not been a regular on my bike for many years.
Observations? It was quiet out for Maidstone and we took a very varied route in terms in terms of cycle space. But there were good levels of courtesy; people respected one another.
I will say of course a big I KNOW THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. A few impatient souls thought their journey was more important than ours.
Signage and markings could be clearer and refreshed. There’s some videos to come soon but it was definitely a worthwhile and enjoyable afternoon.
Preventing road danger and supporting the Vision Zero strategy has been made a priority for Kent Police in my new Plan so I will be keenly holding all agencies to account on this.
Matthew Scott, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner