More bobbies are set to pound the streets of Maidstone from today - in a town centre crime blitz.

Police are launching a targeted two-week campaign to drive down crime in the town centre.

It will mean an extra 20 officers on the streets each day - focusing on crimes such as theft and alcohol-related violence.

The sudden upsurge in police officers, who are being sent to Maidstone from around the county, is aimed to slash crime in the area.

After that police are having what's being called a "consolidation phase", in the hope it will keep crime low.

Acting Chief Inspector Steve Griffiths said: "As the name itself suggests, Op Radical is expected to make a big difference to crime on the streets of Maidstone.

"By introducing these extra resources for this intense two-week period, we hope to send a clear message to those intending to commit crime in the town, that it will not be tolerated.

"However, I would emphasise that this is not simply a quick fix, which is why we will follow this operation with a period of consolidation, to build on the results in crime reduction that have already been achieved."