Medway's Labour group are calling for 80 new police officers to help combat "worrying crime statistics" and fears of rising anti-social behaviour.

Councillors are set to put forward a motion at Medway's Full Council meeting tonight, just a day after police enforced a dispersal order to combat a rise in anti-social behaviour at Rainham Precinct.

Across Medway as a whole, The Labour group notes recent statistics - for the second quarter of 2021 - show a 59% rise in anti-social behaviour on the previous year, and that Medway has the sixth highest crime rate among England's 59 unitary authorities.

Announcing the move, Cllr Tristan Osborne, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Spokesperson for Community Safety said: “Recent statistics have shown that Medway is the local authority with the one of the highest crime rates in England. Victim-based crime surveys show that crimes are more likely to be committed in our towns than in other comparable urban places such as Bristol, Nottingham, Darlington, Thurrock and Brighton & Hove. This is unacceptable and cannot go on.

“What we need now is an increased visible deterrent to crime on our streets. Therefore we will be submitting a motion at the next Full Council meeting urging the Council to do their utmost to secure at least 80 new police officers for our area, as currently we are clearly not getting enough resources from the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Cllr Zoe Van Dyke, member for Strood North added: “What is particularly worrying about these statistics is the sharp rise of 59% in anti-social behaviour from the previous year. This represents thousands of more crimes occurring on our streets annually compared to what was already an unacceptably high level of crime.

“Medway residents deserve to live free from fear of anti-social behaviour, and one thing I heard a lot on the doorsteps during my by-election campaign is that people in our area are very concerned about the increasing rates of crime.

“I agree with their concerns and will be seconding the motion to try and secure more Police Officers for our area.”

Meanwhile there are hopes police action in Rainham will stop a the spate of anti-social activity, which has seen young people cause havoc at Rainham Precinct shopping centre.

Inspector Vanessa Foster, of the Medway Community Safety Unit, said: "We are enforcing a dispersal order in Rainham Precinct following reports from business owners and shoppers about disorderly behaviour in the area. This includes incidents of young people climbing on the roofs of premises and being abusive."

The order ran until 10pm on Wednesday January 19 and gave officers the power to move on anyone who they suspect is involved in "anti-social or nuisance behaviour", and to escort anyone under the age of 18 home.

Rainham North Cllr Martin Potter said he was grateful for the police action and "continued commitment to working with me and the local community," adding: "Whilst we may not suffer the level of issues seen in other areas the proactive efforts and community policing are no less important to stop this sort of behaviour escalating."

Despite the scenes in Rainham and the recent jump in crime in Medway, there are positive signs amidst the statistics.

The most recent figure of 93.8 victim based crimes, per 1,000 residents, reported in Quarter 2 of 2021, is a rise on 89.8 recorded for the previous quarter, but some way below the 102.8 recorded for Quarter 1 2020.

But Cllr Osbourne insists the long-term picture shows there is a need to take action.

"Crime in Medway has increased since 2010 at a time we have seen Police numbers reduced," he said. "The chance of being a victim of Crime in Medway is too high and is something that is causing significant concern in the community. Many residents are not feeling safe and there have a number of high profile cases including violent behaviour which many believe are becoming too regular an occurrence

"This comes down to resources and a government which is not focused on covering for Boris Johnson and anti-social behaviour associated with alleged parties in Number 10. We are calling for the PCC to put in additional resource into Medway with a focus on dealing with areas of relatively high crime. With the recent double-digit rise in anti-social behaviour we are at a crossroads where additional resource is needed.

"Medway Labour has requested that the PCC allocate an additional 80 officers as part of the budget process for 2022/23 and we have asked for better public information to be produced so residents can access information on Crime using new platforms such as Community Voice."