22 February 2012
Ann Barnes, Chair of Kent Police Authority, has endorsed an appointment system that aims to provide a better service to victims of non-urgent crimes and incidents.
Victims are now able to book an appointment with a police officer or police community support officer at a time that’s convenient between 8am and 10pm.
More than 7,000 victims of non-urgent crimes and incidents have been visited as part of the appointment system launched in November 2011 as part of a reorganisation of Kent Police.
Kent Police's Force Control Room receives an average of 3,500 emergency and non-emergency calls per day. Each call is judged by its individual circumstances and calls are prioritised.
Members of the public have given positive feedback so far. A victim who was visited by a police community support officer said they could not fault the service and others have said they were impressed that they were visited by an officer within days of reporting the crime or incident.
Mrs Barnes paid a visit to the Foorde ward in Folkestone to see the appointment system in use and alongside a local neighbourhood officer, visited the home of a man who had reported a non-urgent crime.
Mrs Barnes said: ‘It was interesting to see at first hand the system in use. This simple process is very reassuring to the public who want to see police officers dealing with their crime. Now victims of non-urgent crimes will know exactly when an officer is going to be paying a visit to talk to them about what has happened and at a time that’s convenient. I was very impressed by what I saw and this is a boost for taxpayers that will ultimately provide a better policing service.’
Becky Humphreys, Customer Service and Quality Manager, said: 'This system allows officers to meet face-to-face with a victim to discuss the incident they reported and to offer advice and guidance where appropriate. We have already received positive feedback from people who have been visited by an officer as part of the appointment system.’
Image: Shepway's PC Steven Putland with Ann Barnes, Chair of Kent Police Authority