MOBILE police stations have begun enhancing the delivery of Chief Constable Mike Fuller’s vision of a fully accessible, neighbourhood police force in Kent.

Mr Fuller was joined by Kent Police Authority chair Ann Barnes to launch three mobile police stations to be used across the county.

Staffed by local officers, the specially designed vehicles will provide front counter services to both rural and urban communities.

The 3.5 tonne units will also allow people to talk face to face, in confidence with their local beat officers, to report crimes and incidents or discuss policing issues that concern them in their neighbourhood.

Mr Fuller said: “The mobile police stations allow us to adopt a far more flexible and tangible approach to neighbourhood policing.

“They will provide a new way of talking with as many people as possible in Kent, particularly in the more remote, rural areas of the county and in areas where people have difficulty accessing policing services.”

The vehicles are equipped to operate as a front counter facility, are adapted to provide easy access and will visit every area in Kent on a rotational basis.

Ann Barnes said: “If anyone would like to request a visit from one of the mobile police stations at an event, such as school functions or crime prevention meetings, they should contact their local police station and every request will be given serious consideration.”

Information on planned locations with dates will be posted on the Kent Police website from January (www.kent.police.uk).