This week the Authority will be launching our 'Have your say' roadshows. We are visiting nine locations around the county to find out your views. Tomorrow the Authority will be at Sainsbury's in Sittingbourne. So if you're nearby then do come along and give your opinions on policing in the local area. It's so important that we find out what you think and what you want to see the police doing and you'll also have the chance to meet local officers and KPA Members. Not only will we be looking at the biggest priorities you have in terms of anti-social behaviour, crime, and visibility, but we will be raising awareness of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Our 'Have your say' theme continues on Thursday when we will be visiting Isle of Sheppey Academy to talk to students about their local policing concerns in Minster-on-Sea.
Also on the agenda for this week - I'll be spending the next couple of days at the Police Negotiating Board - reviewing Winsor Part 2 that looks at police pay and conditions. I'll then be heading off to our Joint Statutory Committee for collaboration discussions with Essex.
You might have read in the nationals over the weekend the findings from London School of Economics and The Guardian into the London riots. Around 130 officers from eight forces were interviewed. The latest findings suggest that the interviewees felt that riot attacks could happen again. Here in Kent I have every confidence in the Chief Constable, especially as he leads the Public Order portfolio for the Association of Police Chief Officers.
Finally, I have to say that I'm really pleased with police performance at the moment. Despite all the budget cuts Kent is doing well and crime is going down. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) published a report yesterday on how Kent has met the challenges of the 2010 comprehensive spending review. The review states that Kent Police has made good progress, which is great news. It hasn't been easy and we are in the second year of a four year savings plan to find £50million but we are on target.