A hike in council tax for Kent Police has been approved despite a report raising questions over whether the force is value for money.

More than 1,300 people across Kent completed the police and crime commissioner’s annual policing survey last year, which rated the force's cost efficiency an average of five out of 10.

Yet from April the bill is set to increase by 14.2% - the highest possible jump - equivalent to £24 for residents in Band D homes.

This will raise £16.6 million which will be used to pay for 180 police officers and 15 staff salaries.

This increase was proposed by the minister of policing Nick Hurd to address the cost pressures of the police across the country.

Police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott told a meeting of the Kent and Medway crime panel today he has decided to increase the precept to address the demand on the force.

He said: "Funding has fallen within policing by over 20% and yes, the proportion raised by council tax has risen.

"Kent Police has delivered efficiencies of £90m to date.

"We are in receipt of the seventh-lowest amount of funding per head of population from central government."

Mr Scott added tackling crime has also become more difficult due to the changes in law and the types of criminal activity.

He said: "We know that crime is changing. A great proportion of crime is taking place online, which requires more detailed and more complex investigation.

"It's not just the crime that is changing, it's the demand that's different as well.

"Police have been under pressure at the same time demand has been changing.

"In spite all of that Kent Police are still performing incredibly well.

"It is the only force in the country to have been deemed 'outstanding' for legitimacy three years in a row."

Gravesham councillor John Burden is not convinced the police are taking all crimes seriously.

He said: "I accept fully that the new style of policing needs a new style of delivery- we are in a modern age so I accept that.

"My concern is the preception on the ground when you talk to ordinary people, is they are confused by what they are hearing.

"On one level they are being told, we are following a new style of policing and we care about you and we will be responding to you and then when you do have an issue they don't respond to you, they don't help you."

Mr Scott assured councillors "the policy of Kent Police is to investigate every single crime".