About 30 persistent criminals are having virtually every move monitored in a bid to stop them re-offending.

Police, the probation service and other crime fighting agencies in Mid Kent are getting together every week to discuss their hit-list in the hope they can cut down the crimes being committed by the same people, and help them lead a lawful life.

Last week the police were heralding the success of the unit after two offenders from Marden, responsible for a string of thefts from a railway station car park, moved away from the area.

In July, Luke Courtney, 21, of The Cockpits, admitted 17 charges, including numerous counts of theft from cars and one of handling stolen goods. On July 17 he was sent to a Young Offenders’ Institute for 15 months.

Luke’s brother Jack Courtney, 18, admitted seven charges including stealing from cars. He was given a 160 hour community punishment order and a compensation order of £3,861.

Jack Courtney has relocated to Groombridge Drive, Gillingham, and his brother is expected to join him when he is released.

The move came after police in Mid Kent told them the scrutiny of their behaviour was not going to stop.

The agencies operate under the name of the Mid Kent Prolific and Other Priority Offender Process, shortened to PPO.

Brian Hayton, PPO co-ordinator, has already met with his counterpart in Medway and passed on what he knows about the Courtney brothers.

Mr Hayton said: “They have chosen to move out of the area as they realise their behaviour will not be tolerated by the police in Mid Kent.

“In addition to the punishment imposed at court, we are working with each of these individuals to rehabilitate them, encouraging them back into work or education. I believe this is just the first of many for the PPO.”

The PPO is not just about keeping tabs on offenders.

Offenders are nominated by one of the agencies involved to be placed on the list, and will fall into one of three categories.

The fist category is prevent and deter, led mainly by the youth offending teams and aimed at changing the habits of teenagers whose lifestyle indicates they could become career criminals.

The next is catch and convict, a police-driven element which targets those whose offending can only be stopped by punishment.

And finally there is rehabilitate and resettle, probation-led work aimed at helping ex-offenders to stay away from a life of crime.

Mr Hayton produces fact files on each offender on the list which includes name, address, a photo, any vehicles connected to them and a list of known associates.

Every bit of information on that person is then shared between the agencies. This can range from suspected crimes committed, to more day-to-day things such as if they owe somebody money.

According to Mr Hayton the rehabilitation element is one of the most rewarding aspects of the process.

He spoke of one young man who has a string of offences behind him.

Recently the man, who now has a young family, recognised that he needed to move away from crime.

Mr Hayton and his colleagues are doing what they can to get the man a place on a college course, and offering him advice on his future options.

Mr Hayton said: “When we select people we are not saying we will turn this around in a month. Some, if we are lucky, will be off the list in a year but others will be on it for much longer. With everything we do we are looking at long term, successful, results.”