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downsmail.co.uk Backing for mobile police units
MOBILE police stations touring rural areas have been dismissed as a “waste of time” by some of the parishes they set out to serve. Yalding Parish Council was among those who recently claimed the initiative – set up by Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes – had been a waste of time and money, as hardly anyone vis- ited them. However, the commissioner says
they “provide reassurance and vis- ible community policing” – some- thing the public had requested. The new police contact points
were introduced as one of Mrs Barnes’ manifesto pledges and
rolled out between July and Sep- tember 2013 to boost visible com- munity policing in rural areas. The six
units have carried out more than 360 visits to 180 loca- tions.
However, Ann Barnes
the timetable is now being
reviewed to ensure the units are put in the right place at the right time.
The commissioner has called for
a number of changes to take place to widen their use. These include: • using the mobile police stations in crime hotspot areas; • deploying them in town centres at night-time; • introducing visits near homes of burglary victims; • plans to increase their use to seven days or evenings aweek in- stead of five; • introducing additional local foot patrols. A team of 15 dedicated police community support officers (PCSOs)were introduced in Febru- ary to work on the units and to
boost foot patrols. The units will also be used at community fairs and events and are open to use by partner agencies. Ann Barnes said: “You cannot measure how successful the mobile police stations are by statistics alone.
“There was no cost in buying
them and they are offering a police presence out in communities, in- creasing foot patrols. “It’s true to say that there was a somewhat slow start, but I amcon- fident the right changes are now in place and they are fast becoming a valuable and dynamic community asset.”
Town on TV Waving the flag for St George Longer visits
THE success of Maidstone’s night- time economy could be featured in an hour-long documentary on C5. Researchers want to feature a
town with the purple flag for night time entertainment, security and policing – and have been talking to management at the county town. Maidstone has already been cap-
tured on camera for a Cutting Edge programme for C4, following po- lice and crime commissioner Ann Barnes.
PATRIOTISM will abound in Ju- bilee Square as Maidstone marks St George’s Day. Although there have been pa-
rades in the past, this year is the first time the heart of the shop- ping centre will be used for fes- tivities to celebrate England’s national saint. Folk music will accompany a
range of Morris dancing troupes who will perform on Saturday, April 26, and there will also be
marquees and a stage with stalls and sideshows throughout the day.
Maidstone Museum and the Hazlitt Theatre are also working together to look how they can make it a “traditional English day”.
Maidstone town centre manager
Bill Moss said: “Let’s wave the red, white and blue flag!” The event is being organised by Maidstone’s Town Team.
MAIDSTONEHospital is extending visiting times for itswards. Visitors can now go to see pa-
tients from 8am until 8pm every day, in line with Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Previous times varied ac- cording to the ward, but mostwere from 3-5pm and 6.30pm-8pm Chief nurse for Maidstone and
Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Avey Bhatia, said: “The new hours give visitors much more flexibility to arrange to come and see a friend.”
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