The Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes is concerned that those standing as candidates at the General Election in May may not know their onions when it comes to policing matters.

So she has organised a briefing session for all would-be Kent MPs at the force headquarters in Sutton Road on Friday.

All the main parties have been invited, but anyone standing as an independent can also attend.

The candidates will be given a speech by the Chief Constable of Kent Police, Alan Pughsley; by the chairman of the Kent Criminal Justice Board, Nick Wilkinson, and by two representatives of the Kent Community Safety Partnership, Cllr Mike Hill and Stuart Beaumont.

Mrs Barnes said: "As well as presentations by various speakers, I hope that the briefing session will enable those who want to represent us in Parliament to talk informally with those attending to find out about criminal justice and community safety issues.

“I feel that it is important that they hear first-hand from those who are working in these areas so that they can be best-informed to help the communities they are planning to represent.”

Those seeking an invitation to the event which starts at 10am, should email Mirella.falcone@pcc.kent.pnn.police.uk