Police in Gravesham and Dartford will have greater control to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour as part of new plans launched by the Chief Constable.

Each of the 13 districts across Kent and Medway will be now able to deliver enhanced policing with the creation of two new units.

The newly-formed local district policing teams will be tasked to deal with emergency and non-emergency calls, crimes such as assault and theft and provide increased bobbies on the beat across Gravesham and Dartford.

Those teams will continue to use tools such as predictive policing to tackle and prevent crime.

Under the previous model, officers responsible for responding to 999 calls and custody staff were managed centrally and not under the direction of the district commanders.

New community policing teams will form part of the existing Community Safety Units and will tackle anti-social behaviour and persistent problems.

Police Community Support Officers will continue to work in their designated areas and each ward will be assigned its own PSCO.

Gravesham District Commander Chief Inspector Simon Alland said: “In Gravesham, my officers will remain stationed at North Kent Police Station and the integration of resources will provide me with an opportunity to meet the daily needs of policing Gravesham.

“Our Community Policing Teams will continue to work with other public sector agencies across the district and focus on the community safety priorities, which includes anti-social behaviour, violent crime, substance misuse, property crime, road safety and reducing repeat offending.

“Our public enquiry office will remain at the Gravesend Contact Point in Windmill Street.”

Community Safety Units will remain dedicated to dealing with licensing, mental health and crime prevention.

They will also direct volunteers and district Special Constables and work alongside local authorities and other agencies.

Dartford District Commander Chief Inspector Ian Humpheryes said: “I will have more officers at my disposal, which will give me the flexibility to meet the demands of the area and ensure we have a visible presence within the community.

“While our Local District Policing Teams will be tasked with responding to emergency and non-emergency calls as well as investigating local crimes, we will have a specific team targeting anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, property crime, road safety and repeat offending.

“My officers will remain stationed at North Kent Police Station and our public inquiry office will continue to be based in Dartford town centre.”