A new police task force has been launched to tackle problems in local communities.

Kent Chief Constable Mike Fuller was at Medway police station on Monday to launch six neighbourhood task teams.

Each six-officer team will act in the six policing regions of Kent to target crime identified by residents.

The teams will work with existing neighbourhood officers to target crime hot spots and causes of concern to local people.

Medway’s own Neighbourhood Task Team will be lead by Sgt Emma Satherley.

She is determined to make a difference to policing in the Towns.

She said: “Everyone is really excited to be involved in this new team and we are confident we can help to improve the quality of life for residents.”

Chief Constable Fuller said his force was committed to improving the quality of life in Kent and Medway.

He said: “Our vision has always been to provide a truly visible and accesible policing service and the introduction of Neighbourhood Task Teams is another step towards this goal.

"We remain committed to improving people’s quality of life as we continue to expand our neighbourhood policing teams across the county.”

The scheme has received the full backing of the Kent Police Authority which decided to invest part of this year’s police council tax revenue on introducing the teams.

She said: “So often I hear that anti-social behaviour is the number one priority for residents. The new task teams will fill a gap by acting as a specific enforcement branch which is extremely important.”

The Medway team began their new duties on Monday following successful trials in other parts of the county.