Kent’s crime commissioner has described a new government plan on neighbourhood policing as a “creeping trend towards centralisation”.

Matthew Scott said Kent Police already has in place ways of training officers in dealing with persistent issues in communities.

Dame Diana Johnson, the Crime and Policing Minister, announced the rollout of a dedicated neighbourhood police training program with the College of Policing to help communities gripped by anti-social behaviour (ASB) and low level crime at an event on Tuesday (September 10).

But Mr Scott, who was re-elected for a third term to the office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner in May, said: “We already do it.

“The government’s stated mission is to cut crime and antisocial behaviour but they should work with the police and crime commissioners first rather than this rush to reform everything without thinking things through.”

He said neighbourhood training is available to all officers as well as an academy programme for many different types of crimes.

Kent has developed “hotspot” patrolling - where ultra-local areas are targeted - and “people are starting to notice a difference”, added Mr Scott.

Kent Police has also been supporting wider partnership arrangements, such as the One Maidstone Business Improvement District (OMBID) initiative, where town centre ambassadors complement a shop radio scheme and 24-hour CCTV monitoring.

Earlier this year, OMBID reported it has slashed ASB and led to more shoplifting convictions.

Such is the success, it has been eyed up by other towns such as Gravesend.

Mr Scott added: “The government has to be clear about who is the operational lead…and I see this as a creeping trend towards centralisation.

“If we start blurring the lines, what is going to stop them from doing that more and more in the future.”

The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Pathway is aimed at helping officers build on the core skills, such as relationship building, to tackle everyday crime.

Dame Diana said: “Too many town centres and high streets across the country have been gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting which is corroding our communities and cannot be allowed to continue.

“There are thousands of incredible police officers and support staff doing an admirable job. But we have to face the reality that there are still too many victims of anti-social behaviour who feel that when they call the police, no one listens and no one comes.

“Every community deserves local officers who understand what is needed to keep them safe, and with this new training and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, we will deliver the change our towns and villages are desperate for.”

The most recent crime figures showed that 35% of people have experienced or witnessed anti-social behaviour in their local community in the last year alongside a 30% annual rise in shoplifting, which remains at a record high.

Chief Constable at the College of Policing, Sir Andy Marsh, said: “Dedicated training for neighbourhood officers by the College of Policing will help transform the service policing provides to local communities and help deliver trusted and effective policing that cuts crime and keeps people safe.

“This programme is based on years of evidence of what works and I’m confident it will make a real difference.”