Kent Police will be returning to its historic headquarters due to an increase in officer numbers.

The force made the decision in May 2020 to leave its home in Sutton Road, Maidstone, which had been its HQ since 1940.

After an 80-year stay they moved to a new location on Northfleet, which will still be used for "operational policing purposes", as well as part of it being leased for a commercial income.

A joint statement from chief constable Tim Smith and Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Scott said: "This decision to leave Sutton Road was based on the potential revenue that could be achieved from the sale of the site on market conditions at the time and the projected workforce numbers of the force.

"Since then, due to the Home Office’s Police Uplift Program and continued investment from increases in the local policing precept, Kent Police has seen significant growth in police officer numbers.

"This month the force has more police officers than at any time in history and will grow further, having overachieved recruitment targets.

"This has allowed us to look again at how the force is using our buildings, and we are pleased to say it has created an opportunity for the chief officer team and a slimmed-down Headquarters function to return to the historic Sutton Road site.

"The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is also located at Sutton Road and will remain there under the plans.

"Co-location with the chief constable will also allow for closer working at a critical time for policing nationally, and not require new premises to be sought.

"New powers may be available to PCCs in the near future that could present opportunities for revenue to be generated."

In May last year the force's large sign outside the HQ was removed. It was the biggest indicator since the decision to leave that things were changing.

More information on what the rest of the Maidstone site will be used for will be revealed in the future.

The force hopes it will help "maximise occupancy and space utilisation across the estate", as well as moving officers closer to the communities they serve.

A statement continued: "We are committed to ensuring the best value for money for the policing services provided in Kent and will continue to review the estate to ensure officers and staff are in the right locations, in buildings appropriate to the operational need, at the lowest costs possible.

"First and foremost in any decision taken on the use of our estate is ensuring it provides the best possible policing service to the people of Kent and value for taxpayers’ money."