KentLive reported on 28th February that in 2016, Thanet had on average of 3.58 offences per 1,000 people. This compares to a county average of 2.53 offences per 1,000 people.

The North Division comprising of Dartford, Gravesham, Medway and Swale had an average of 2.79 offences per 1,000 population. The West Division comprising of Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells had an average of 2.52 offences per 1,000 population.

The call to examine the figures and look at the way victims of sexual crime are treated has also been made by Ramsgate councillor Karen Constantine.

She said: “This is not just about the figures. It is also about making sure that where there are sexual crime victims that we have sufficient police staffing to follow the proper protocol, such as sending a woman officer to a woman victim and having officers with proper training. At the moment that is not always able to happen because the police are under-staffed.

“We have the highest rate of sexual offences in Kent but we do not have the highest standard of policing because of cuts when really it should be of the best standard to protect victims and to deter crime. We already know the best support and policing processes to use and we should call for adequate funding to implement them.”

Cllr Constantine has been in touch with Mr Mackinlay and PCC Matthew Scott about the issue. She originally raised it when there were concerns that the lack of night lighting in Ramsgate was contributing towards crime and now says the figures should be analysed thoroughly to make sure Thanet isn’t suffering an isolated problem.

She said: “I alerted Craig Mackinlay to a problem in respect of unlit streets in October. A heinous stranger rape was committed on his own street. He agreed the lack of street lighting could have played a part. Since then I have alerted him to three more episodes of the same type of crime.”

Cllr Constantine said she is demanding immediate improvements to gain support for victims and to ensure a better conviction rate

For the full story from Kent Live.