No-deal Brexit would see 300 police officers and staff deployed daily in Kent, report reveals

More than 300 police officers and staff will be deployed in Kent on a daily basis in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a report reveals.

Nearly half of these, 140 officers and staff, will come from other counties and up to 100 Highways England officials will also provide support, a disclosure from chief constable, Alan Pughsley, revealed on Wednesday .

Police reinforcements will be called in in the event of a no-deal. Stock picture
Police reinforcements will be called in in the event of a no-deal. Stock picture

Police will be tasked to manage any disruption resulting from congestion at the Eurotunnel, motorways and east Kent's ports. They will also support local councils with the enforcement of traffic management plans, such as Operation Brock.

Kent Police refused to confirm how many of the 300-plus figure would be officers and how many support staff for operational reasons.

Deputy chief constable, Tony Blaker, said he was "confident" the plans were fit for purpose.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, was told the county force's "comprehensive" plan was ready for action during yesterday's performance and delivery board at Kent Police HQ, in Sutton Road, Maidstone.

The meeting came shortly after Mr Scott himself was probed over the force's Brexit preparations by district councillors during the Kent and Medway police and crime panel at Maidstone's County Hall on Tuesday.

Ashford Truckstop has recently been earmarked as one of several sites in Kent to host a Brexit customs station, but Cllr Jo Gideon (Con), said her colleagues remain concerned that it will not be completed in time.

The Ashford councillor told Mr Scott during the public meeting: "As you know, we are going to be hosting a temporary customs facility and the success of traffic management depends on finishing junction 10a.

"Everyone in (Ashford) council is quite worried because time is short and it's still not done yet."

Mr Scott told Ashford council's community safety boss that ongoing discussions were taking place between Kent Police and other public authorities.

He said: "My hope is the Department for Transport and Highways England are doing sufficient modelling to ensure the policing can be as informed as it can be to deploy the resources in the right places, should they be needed."

Cllr Gideon also asked Mr Scott if he was satisfied with the chief constable's preparations.

Mr Scott described the plans as "robust" and said: "I believe the work the chief constable and Kent Police have done has got us into a good place to manage whatever the outcome is.

He added: "We know there will be some friction... but Kent Police is well placed and rehearsed in dealing with traffic management on our motorways."

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