Two former policemen are calling for more officers in a seaside town to help combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

Ashley Clark and Colin Spooner - who are both now city councillors - are the latest to voice concerns over an apparent lack of policing in Whitstable.

They have criticised the government and the police force’s reliance on PCSOs, who lack the powers of arrest and investigation held by police officers - claiming “cardboard cut-outs would be just as effective” in fighting crime.

The Conservative councillors said: “Ten years ago, both Gorrell and Harbour Wards had constables who knew the local criminals and took action on the streets to keep them in check.

“Mrs May came to the Home Office in 2010 and initiated sweeping cuts in police numbers. Active patrolling to prevent crime became a thing of the past.

“What we have now is a single sergeant at Herne Bay, with six PCSOs who work restricted hours and lack powers to stop vehicles and to stop and search individuals for weapons, drugs or items to commit damage like spray cans.

“Quite frankly, cardboard cut-outs would be just as effective and much cheaper. Recently, we had an incident in which people were pelting people with eggs from a car. But a PCSO would have had no power to stop that car.”

The pair say PCSOs need support from police on the beat. “Would the police commissioner have police dogs with no teeth?” they said.

“Quite frankly, cardboard cut-outs would be just as effective and much cheaper..." Cllrs Clark and Cllr Spooner

“If he were to convert those posts into fully warranted officers there would be sufficient numbers to restore a constable with full powers to all two-seat council wards.

“Our police officers take risks on our behalf and they must be fully supported. The primary role of government is to keep its citizens safe, and in that respect we have been failed abysmally.”

Their concerns have been echoed by Reverend Simon Tillotson - the vicar of All Saints and St Peters churches - who is calling for a public meeting to be held between police, MP Rosie Duffield and Whitstable residents.

He said: “We need a much more obvious and visible police presence. You see police often in Canterbury, but rarely on the beat in Whitstable.

“There needs to be at least four police officers visible out and about regularly in Whitstable - especially in the evenings. If the government cannot afford that, we need to seriously challenge them as an administration.

“For a population of 31,000, it’s not that much to ask for. I am not talking about police that are called in from other towns - I mean here permanently.

“By far the majority of young people behave responsibility in Whitstable. However, there does need to be a greater role by police in monitoring the few young people who are excluded from school, have left school with no qualifications, or who show a completely different side of their personality outside of school and are influencing others down a dangerous path. It is a serious crisis. I would like to suggest we convene a community meeting to look at this problem.”

But Cllr Clark says the problem needs tackling on a broader level. “I don’t think it’s going to make a lot of difference because this problem is in Westminster and with Theresa May,” he said.

Residents have asked Ms Duffield to address the issue.

She said: “I hear from residents all the time who are upset at Tory cuts to frontline police officers since 2010.

“People tell me that they get little back-up and help when reporting anti-social behaviour and I appreciate resources are stretched and that hard-working officers are unable to get to every incident. Since the closure of the small police station on the High Street, a visible presence on Whitstable High Street has been lacking.

“Town centre officers are essential; we must bring them back.”

The duo have also criticised the process of reporting crime - claiming it deters residents from declaring incidents.

“Once you get through one is bombarded with messages to report online,” they say. “That involves a lengthy process of computer form-filling littered with personal questions that bear no relation to the matter in hand.

“If one waits for an answer one gets an individual with no real knowledge of the criminal law or local geography. The call is then stacked and if there is a response it comes far too late when the birds have flown. People just give up in sheer frustration.”

Police have responded to the criticisms made by Cllrs Clark and Spooner.

District commander, Chief Inspector Mark Weller, said: “Whitstable is served by our Local Policing Teams, our proactive Community Policing Team, the Special Constabulary and the Rural Task Force.

“There are dedicated PCSOs who are based at Herne Bay Police Station, covering Whitstable and Herne Bay. Their primary role is to provide high visibility reassurance to the community and try to prevent and deal with minor crime and anti-social behaviour.

“There needs to be at least four police officers visible out and about regularly in Whitstable - especially in the evenings..." Cllr Clark and Cllr Spooner

“We also work with partners, including Canterbury City Council, to tackle issues highlighted by residents through the Community Safety Partnership.

“Kent Police is due to recruit an additional 180 police officers – 90 of whom will go into local policing roles - in 2019/20, using funds raised by the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Regarding the process of reporting crime, Ch Insp Weller said: “There are now more ways than ever to report a crime to Kent Police. Online reporting may not suit everyone but it is important we are as accessible as possible for all, and for many online reporting is a quick and convenient way to report an offence.

“All phone calls to Kent Police are prioritised according to the level of threat, harm and risk to the victim.”