TACKLING CRIME & ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Everyone has the right to feel safe where they live. I want Canterbury, Whitstable and our Villages to be a safe and peaceful place for local people and those who visit our city, beaches and beautiful countryside.

During the last thirteen years under Conservative Governments, we have seen recorded crime in England and Wales increase. While rates across Canterbury District are lower than other parts of the country, reported crime is still too high. I know from my surgeries, and from people contacting me, that incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on our communities and the quality of life for the people living there.

Further to this, some areas are experiencing more crime and anti-social behaviour than others, with Canterbury City Centre being a significant hotspot. City Centre residents regularly report being kept awake by noise nuisance, having their property damaged, or finding vomit, urine, and drug paraphernalia in their streets.

Many incidents of violence and sexual offences go unreported and therefore unrecorded. At the same time many incidents of anti-social behaviour, such as night-time disturbance, fighting in the street, noisy neighbours, littering and daubing graffiti may be reported to the police but not recorded. Since 2010, under the Conservatives, the number of police officers have reduced nationally by more than 21,000 and the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) has fallen by nearly 40%. These cutbacks in police resources mean that many minor incidents, which can be very distressing to those who experience them, are simply not dealt with at all. Conservative cuts have also closed hundreds of local courts across the country and decimated funding to local authorities to provide children and youth services which are vital in helping to prevent crime.

I know how important tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is for local residents. Since I have been elected
• I have regularly met with Kent Police to discuss issues being raised by constituents as well as to discuss broader concerns relating to crime and anti-social behaviour in the district.
• I have met with the National Farmers Union and rural policing team to discuss concerns about the specific types of crimes that are impacting our rural communities.
• In 2018 I made a speech in the House of Commons on rural crime 
• In December 2022 I held a Round Table with Kent Police, local councillors, representatives of Canterbury’s residents’ associations, Canterbury BID, Canterbury Street Pastors and The Marlowe Theatre to discuss crime and anti-social behaviour in Canterbury. This was an opportunity to openly discuss the issues people are experiencing in Canterbury and to highlight concerns to Kent Police.
• My team have attended meetings in Whitstable with Kent Police, local councillors, and local residents to discuss concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.
• I have consistently voted against cuts to public expenditure and funding for the police service.
I plan to hold a public meeting in the near future to discuss concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the constituency. If you have concerns and would like to attend, please email [email protected] with your name, address and phone number, and details of your concerns.