A ROW has broken out after a refusal to allow a town's police community support officer to walk the beat at night.

Members of Sandwich Town Council are protesting to the county's Chief Constable, Mike Fuller, and hoping to meet him to complain.

Councillors were stunned to discover their new officer had not been issued with a flak jacket, so cannot patrol alone in the evenings. They pay a quarter of his wages and have described the situation as disappointing and a nonsense.

Their protests followed a suggestion by Nigel Vaughan, based in Sandwich, and Justin Marriott, from Walmer, to patrol their two areas together in a bid to stop anti-social behaviour.

The Mayor Cllr Brian Scott said that the new police community support officers could not patrol alone as they are not issued with flak jackets.

Cllr Bernard Butcher described the situation as "a nonsense" and Cllr Joe Trussler said it was a disturbing piece of information.

He added: "We had the confidence to get this support officer. We paid the money and are not getting a service or value for money.

"How can Nigel Vaughan do his job, funded by us? He must be issued with a flak jacket.

We have been let down and we have let the people down. I am very disappointed about this."

But Cllr Delia Creedy welcomed the suggestion from Nigel Vaughan and Justin Marriott and said their idea should be put into operation for a three-month trial.

Support for the police community support officers also came from Cllr Phil Scott and he said their extra cover one night a week in Sandwich would be helpful.

He added: "They should be congratulated on their initiative and they are trying to find a solution to the anti-social behaviour."

Police media officer Jon Green said stab vets were not issued to PSCOs as their role is not the same as a police officer's.

He added: "They are non-confrontational support officers and are an additional resource to regular police patrols."