Will new top cop make streets safe?

We spoke to residents' associations across Dartford and Gravesham and the overwhelming message was we want more police on our streets.

Many went even further, registering concerns about lawlessness in certain areas and telling us of violence, intimidation, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

YOUR CONCERNS

Lack of police presence on the streets

Groups of yobs terrorising and vandalising areas

Lack of local police contact

Not enough patrols in trouble-spots

Responses slow and incomplete

Drinking and trouble in town centres

Poor feedback to communities

The good news is new area commander Superintendent Martin Hewitt, is well placed to deal with these concerns he has an Army background and 10 years' experience with Kent Police.

Alan Cooke, chairman of the Springdove All Residents' Association in Northfleet, said: "Police patrol levels are very poor, it's all very well having laws, but if the police aren't around to enforce them what's the point?"

Supt Hewitt said: "I'm well aware of the issues around visibility and reassurance. We have officers responsible for certain areas in town centres and rural beats, but I shall certainly be reviewing our coverage."

He added that community support officers, due to be trained this year, together with council run community wardens will help increase the visibility of authority on the streets.

News Shopper was also told by many residents they have genuine worries about safety on the streets.

Mike Todd, chairman of Temple Hill Residents' Association, Dartford, said: "For us there is a real concern with safety and it's got worse this last year. There is wanton vandalism, graffiti, damage and intimidating older people just one thing on top of the other."

Planned urban and rural safety programmes are the answer says Supt Hewitt: "Together with other agencies, such as local councils, we are looking at these issues to make an impact on public safety concerns.

"We are targeting, and will continue to do so, small numbers of individuals who are causing these problems with anti-social behaviour orders and by controlling certain families."

Police response was also cited by residents as a worry, Peter Josh, chairman of the Roehampton and Gunfleet Residents' Association, Denton, said: "The police are often slow in responding to our calls and often just take the most basic of details. It feels like they're just there to issue a crime number for insurance purposes."

Supt Hewitt said: "If people feel the service they receive is not what it ought to be,

I would urge people to make us aware so I can look

into it.

"The reality is sometimes we have enormous demands placed on us. We have finite resources and things have to be prioritised."

He added: "There have been successes in this area and our performance figures are particularly good for control of burglary and theft of motor vehicles. But as you would expect, as area commander I will be looking at exactly how all resources are utilised. I want to be satisfied that in those places with needs we can find out what we can do to address those needs."

Supt Hewitt is well prepared for the north Kent beat, having experience in community policing units and most recently looking at improving the county's performance.

He takes over from Supt David Pryer who

retired due to ill health.