Burglaries, the way police deal with drinkers and beggars in the town centre and a disturbance on a cross-Channel ferry were among the topics raised by people who took part in a web-chat with Dover’s police commander, Chief Inspector Darren Mullins.

Only seven people appeared to take part in the question and answer session, although more may have been watching it.

Chief Inspector Mullins began by saying there had been some press coverage about an increase in burglaries in Dover district.

“We currently have the lowest levels of burglary in Kent,” he said. “My officers will continue to work hard to make sure we reduce this even further.

“We are currently targeting known burglars as part of an operation to reduce this particularly unpleasant crime.”

He said people could also help by reporting suspicious activity and by remembering a few top tips to help protect your property, locking windows and doors even if residents were in their back garden, double locking UPVC doors and windows, putting a light or radio on a timer while away on holiday, and fitting door chains, burglar alarms and security lighting.

Howard McSweeney, editor of the Dover Forum website, asked about the “serious altercation” on the Spirit of France ferry the previous weekend which, he said, was serious enough for 12 police cars to attend. “Can you confirm how many of the youths from Aylesham were arrested and how many charged please?”

Ch Insp Mullins said 10 people were arrested at the scene for affray but no details of individuals would be released until they were charged. “The Port of Dover Police are leading on this investigation, which is still on-going,” he said.

The incident was reported in last week’s Dover Mercury.

Asked by Jeri if more Community Support Officers were being employed in Dover, Ch Insp Mullins said: “I don’t know the exact numbers at the moment but yes we will have more soon.

“This is really positive news and I’m looking forward to meeting them and getting them out into the community as soon as I can. In addition to this, we will shortly be deploying more police community support officers to our rural areas so we can increase the number of face-to-face meetings with residents.”

He also said he would be looking into the way drinkers in the Market Square were dealt with following a comment from one woman that officers had been seen sharing a laugh with those drinking alcohol and then walking off without taking any action.

Chief Inspector Mullins said both he and his officers had taken action in the past, confiscating alcohol from them and enforcing the no-alcohol zone.

Full story in next week's Dover Mercury.