AFTER four separate violent attacks on people in Gravesend town centre in a matter of weeks we asked: do you feel safe here at night?

Your overwhelming response was an emphatic NO.

The Gravesend Messenger asked the question after two alleged rapes on women, and two alleged assaults, one which has left a 55-year-old man in a critical condition in hospital.

Police have arrested and charged people in all four cases.

Despite their swift response, when readers responded to our online poll, text poll, vox pop and web chat, only a handful said they feel safe at night.

Kelly Lock, from Gravesend, said: “The streets after dark in the town centre are filled with drink-fuelled young people, many of whom seem barely old enough to drink.”

Michael Evans, of Gravesend, said: “I have to say the number of fights and violence I see plus the lack of obvious police presence makes me wary.”

Despite admitting that on average there is one violent crime reported in Gravesend town centre every day, Supt Paul Gladstone, of North Kent Police, said there is no reason for people to be worried.

“The figures, as far as I am concerned, do not bear out with your research,” he said.

“We are putting out more uniformed patrols now than ever and crime is 13 per cent down on this time last year.

“The trouble is that we are dealing with people’s perceptions.”

Crime rates are falling in the borough. Overall, crime fell 19.7 per cent from 2006-07 and 07-08, but figures released by Kent Police show Gravesham is the county’s third worst region when it comes to the number of crimes recorded per 1,000 people.

What do you think? Send your opinion to us online, via text message, by post or email. Go to the speak out section on this website, text 07736 898 238, write to 7 High Street, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0BQ, email gravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 01474 564 327.

And if you have a specific question you’d like addressed by the area commander or council leader, please send them to us and we will seek answers on your behalf.