Kent police asks how are we doing? Answer not very well in Thanet

Crime has risen, nationally by 2%, and in Kent by a whopping 16%, to which Dave Ainsworth(Assistant Chief Constable), is reported commenting on the rise with the word ''disappointing''

Mr Ainsworth continues ''we're recording more incidents as crime and we are getting better at detecting crime'' maybe I'm wrong but I'm sure that over the years I've often heard police spokes persons come out with similar statements.

On the plus side for Thanet violent crime has only risen by 3.3% against a county average of 6% but other crimes have increased burglary (dwelling) up 16.2% county average 5.8%, burglary (other) up 39.1% county average 5%, drugs up 45.5% county average 22% (these figures are from KCC police website)

These figures are quite appalling given the extra resources that our police forces have been given in recent years, I just wonder whether additional resources such as community wardens are more of a PR exercise.

Maybe our police officers ought to get out more often, although having said that, I did actually see one yesterday in Northdown Road, just like Dixon of Dock Green for those of us old enough to be familiar with that cliche. A waste of police resources you might think, but ironically the sight of a copper standing on street corner, gave me the confidence to leave my bike unpadlocked whilst I got a newspaper and nipped in to Rooks to purchase a couple of their fine saveloys.

Overall Thanet crime, seems to be higher than the Kent average, perhaps the Chief Constable Michael Fuller could give some public explanation as to why crime appears to be out of control. And if Mr Fuller needs any help, he has one Deputy Chief Constable, and three assistant chief constables, so no shortage of resources there.

BBC report