Kent’s chief constable Alan Pughsley has had his contract extended for a further three years.

The extension, granted by crime commissioner Matthew Scott, will see the chief constable contracted to the top job until 2022.

Mr Pughsley is paid £157,353 a year but also qualifies for an annual 10% uplift - worth £15,735 - to cover use of a car and medical insurance.

He was appointed to the job by the previous commissioner Ann Barnes in 2014, succeeding Ian Learmonth.

He signed a five-year contract at that time and his three-year extension takes him through until 2022.

Crime commissioner Matthew Scott said: “In the spring I will be publishing my Police and Crime Plan, which sets out the priorities for the Chief Constable to deliver against.

"I have spoken with Mr Pughsley about the future on many occasions and have total confidence in his ability to deliver against those priorities. That is why I have taken the decision to offer him the maximum contract extension available to me.”

It was clear the culture Mr Pughsley had instilled in the force meant victims were “at the heart of everything it does” he added.

Inspectors from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary recently said Kent had a “well led force.”

Mr Pughsley said: "I am both delighted and privileged to have been offered a contract extension to continue to serve as the Chief Constable of Kent. I am very proud of what the force has achieved which has been delivered by outstanding, brave and utterly professional officers and staff."

Like most forces, Kent Police is dealing with significant budget cuts and faces saving £33m over the next four years - the equivalent of a 12% real terms cut.