There is a new man in charge of policing in the east of the county and he has five children.

Ch Supt Jon Sutton, who lives in Canterbury with his wife and the youngsters aged between five and 16, takes over from Alan Horton who has been promoted.

He has more than 27 years' experience with the county's force having spent most of his career as a detective.

He said: "My priority will be to cut crime and catch criminals while ensuring we continue to provide visible policing within our neighbourhoods solving local problems.

"I will be working closely with my five district commanders to ensure we are providing a first-class service protecting and serving all of our communities from Canterbury to the coastal towns, Ashford, and our more isolated rural areas.

"On my first day here I was reminded of the bravery and courage my officers routinely display putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public following an incident in Folkestone where two officers were injured."

Ch Supt Horton started his career in Maidstone where he became a detective constable.

He spent five years with the National Crime Squad on a secondment where he gained experience dealing with national and international crime.

This was followed by a period working in Medway as a detective sergeant on crimes such as burglary and drugs and also covert policing and surveillance.

On promotion to detective inspector he went on to work in Swale, Gravesend and Dartford and then a detective chief inspector in Medway.

More recently he has gained experience as a superintendent at headquarters working in strategic neighbourhood and partnership policing, and spent time leading covert operations in Kent and Essex within the forces’ serious crime directorate.