Police officers based at the port of Dover now have more powers to catch criminals.

Archaic regulations which restricted the area in which they could act have now been replaced so they can perform their duties throughout Kent, not just within a limited areas around the port.

And, if the chief constables in other parts of the country agree, they could also act more widely in England and Wales.

The change is the result of lobbying of the government by the Port of Dover Police over a long period of time.

Port chief executive Tim Waggott said: “This is a fantastic achievement which has been many years in the making. Our police officers do a fantastic job but they have been hampered from doing an even better job.

“The new legislation releases the restrictions placed upon them for far too long and fundamentally transforms their ability to carry out their duties. A great boost to them and the whole port community which enables them to provide the best port police service for the port’s many customers.”

The port’s police force had derived its policing powers from the Harbours Docks and Piers Clauses Act of 1847, which allowed Port Constables to act on any land owned by Dover Harbour Board and one mile beyond.

As the port has grown and developed into Europe’s busiest international ferry port, the limited jurisdiction has become obsolete as, when investigating crime and offences committed in and around the port, the offenders, victims and witnesses often reside many miles away.

Mr Waggott said this had frustrated the force which was committed to providing a first-class service, particularly to victims.

Having raised this as a matter of concern with the government through the Department for Transport, which agreed that modernisation of the legislation was needed, the amendment to the legal framework was delivered through the Marine Navigation Act 2013.

The port police received considerable support from Kent Police whose Chief Constable has approved the port’s widened remit within Kent.

The Port of Dover Police chief officer, Superintendent Paul Wilczek said: “We are very grateful for the support of the Chief Constable of Kent in carrying out our duties within our home county. The legislation allows our officers to act completely independently and now far more efficiently.

“We are committed to keeping our customers and stakeholders safe and the extension of our jurisdiction will significantly enhance our ability to bring offenders to justice”.