By Hayley Robinson

Controversial plans to close Sittingbourne Magistrates' Court could lead to increased costs for Kent Police at a time when it is looking to make multi-million pound savings.

The force is facing an estimated £53 million cut to its budget over the next four years as part of the government's austerity drive.

According to figures released by the police and Swale council, if the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposals go ahead, it could cost almost £35,000 a year in travelling expenses and additional officer time.

The MoJ wants to close the Park Road court and transfer Swale cases to Medway or Canterbury as it also battles to find savings in its budget.
It has based its argument on car and train journey times from Sittingbourne, the longest of which was 33 minutes to Canterbury.

It said no one should have a journey of more than 60 minutes to attend court.

Mid Kent's area commander, Ch Supt Matthew Nix, said: "While we understand the budgetary constraints, we are concerned about the impact on local communities, witnesses and victims if Sittingbourne Magistrates' Court were to close.

"We are also concerned about the impact the closure will have on the force, in terms of increased travelling costs and additional officer time.

As a partner of the Swale Community Safety Partnership, Swale council has also raised concerns.

A spokesman said: "By closing the court, there is the potential that more cases will be tried in offenders' absence and that many victims and witnesses will either not attend or need extra support from both the public sector and voluntary sector to engage with the court process with additional travelling.

"Some members of our community, particularly those travelling from parts of Sheppey, would make their journey in excess of an hour on public transport.

"We have worked with HM Court Service to establish a specialist domestic violence court, and trials are held both at Sittingbourne and Maidstone courts.
The removal of this court may make this service difficult to maintain."