by Lynn Cox

A huge 24-hour multi-agency operation to cut crime in Medway kicked-off at 6am today.

Operation Vision is a Medway police and Medway Council initiative which will see officers from both authorities spending a day of action in and around the Chatham Central ward area.

Other agencies taking part include Kent Fire and Rescue Service, British Transport Police, the Department for Work and Pensions, Kent Probation and the UK Border Agency.

The crackdown is part of the Kent-wide You Said, We Did campaign and follows on from resident feedback about criminal damage, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, litter and drug problems in the area.

There will be action via enforcement of new Chatham Town Centre dispersal zone, police road checks, a number of drug raids, drug patrols at Chatham Railway Station and a truancy sweep of the area.

Others will be clearing up areas of litter and convicted criminals will be clearing up dirty alleyways.

Officers will also be clearing unroadworthy and untaxed cars from the streets and in pubs and clubs this evening, police sniffer dogs will be working to find people who are dealing drugs in venues.

Throughout the day police set up three mobile police stations to offer crime reduction advice.

Firefighters will also be distributing leaflets about the dangers of deliberately started rubbish and car fires.