FOLLOWING the launch of Mid Kent Police’s new neighbourhood policing team, each parish and ward in the area now has a dedicated police officer and PCSO.

For the past 12 months, police chiefs in Maidstone have been shaking up the area’s policing provision to meet with Chief Constable Mike Fuller’s vision to give all Kent neighbourhoods a consistent and familiar police presence.

The Maidstone area now has 25 PCSOs, most of whom have been recruited by the force within the last year.

Click here to see Maidstone’s Police Community Safety Officers and areas for which they will be responsible

Although their powers are more limited than a regular police officer, Borough Commander, Ch Insp Ian Hall, says PCSOs provide eyes and ears on the street, and prove a vital link for communities to feed back crime stopping and solving information.

He said: “The police force has seen a huge culture change from a remote authority figure to a much more accessible and

community-focused organisation.

“These officers are each designated a specific area where they will patrol and will engage on a daily basis with the public, to make Maidstone a safer place to work and live.

“We want to reduce the fear of crime for law-abiding citizens and increase the fear of crime for the criminal elements.”

Also present at the launch were local community safety officers and warden who will also be playing a part in the neighbourhood plan.

Chief Insp Ian Hall added: “This demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership to build a bright future for the town.”

All of the new PCSOs have been employed by the force on permanent contracts.

However, the posts of some existing PCSOs, that are funded by both the police and a partner agency, may be under threat when funding comes up for renewal next March.