The Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel met on Thursday, 23rd April 2026, to discuss the Winter of Action initiative, review the HMICFRS PEEL inspection of Kent Police, and consider the Panel's annual report and work programme. Key decisions included noting the outcomes of the Winter of Action initiative and the HMICFRS PEEL inspection, and approving the draft annual report.

Winter of Action Initiative

The Panel received a report on the Winter of Action initiative, a national campaign that ran from December 2025 to January 2026. This initiative, which built upon the Safer Streets Summer campaign, aimed to sustain momentum in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) during a period of increased activity in town centres. The initiative focused on retail crime, street crime, ASB, and safety in the night-time economy.

Kent Police identified 31 town centres and retail areas across the county where seasonal increases in footfall were anticipated to lead to local issues. Activities undertaken included intensified hotspot policing, proactive patrols, and enforcement measures. Specific examples of activity included:

• Dover: Street drinking interventions led to 35 individuals being identified and offered support, with some facing enforcement measures including preventative orders.
• Tonbridge: Joint enforcement activity under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) addressed nuisance vehicle ASB, resulting in Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).
• Gillingham: Targeted patrols, knife arch deployments, and licensing checks aimed to suppress violence and disrupt offending patterns.
• Ashford: The Shop Safe programme was relaunched, and an updated PSPO addressed issues with e-scooters and catapults.
• Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Project Vigilant and Operation Pilot deployments disrupted predatory behaviour, while Operation Shanty involved spiking prevention and taxi licensing checks. The Ask for Angela initiative was reinforced in licensed venues.
• Retail and Business Crime: Weekly joint patrols with One Maidstone Street Ambassadors disrupted shoplifters, and banning orders were used to reduce offending. The Selecta DNA forensic marking system was rolled out to tackle shoplifting and ASB.

The report highlighted that while no additional funding was provided for the initiative, it formed part of business as usual activities, building on existing partnerships. The Panel was asked to note the report.

HMICFRS PEEL 2025-27 Inspection of Kent Police

The Panel reviewed the findings of the HMICFRS PEEL 2025-27 inspection of Kent Police. This inspection assesses the effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy of police forces. For the first time in three inspections, Kent Police received no Requires Improvement or Inadequate gradings.

Key findings included:

• Outstanding: Developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Good: Leadership and force management; preventing and deterring crime.
• Adequate: Police powers and public treatment; responding to the public; investigating crime; safeguarding children and adults; managing fraud; and providing a safe and lawful custody environment.

The report highlighted positive aspects such as the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing teams, preventative work with young people, and the strong contribution of the Special Constabulary.

However, eight Areas for Improvement (AFIs) were identified:

• Recording officers' rationales when using force and increasing supervisory oversight.
• Expanding independent scrutiny of stop and search and use of force.
• Attending calls for service in line with internal targets.
• Ensuring consistent assignment of correct crime outcome types.
• Ensuring officers take appropriate action and work with multi-agency partners to reduce harm to vulnerable people.
• Having a consistent approach to identifying and responding to missing people.
• Establishing effective governance for all fraud offences to understand their impact and response.
• Ensuring capacity to effectively review and support fraud investigations.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott assured the Panel that these areas would be addressed through established accountability mechanisms, including the Performance and Delivery Board. He noted that while the force had made significant progress, it remained committed to continuous improvement. The Panel was asked to note the report and agree to a further update in December 2026.

Annual Report of the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel

The Panel considered and approved the draft Annual Report for 2025/26. The report summarises the Panel's work between February 2025 and February 2026, highlighting its role in scrutinising and supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Key activities detailed in the report include:

• Five formal Panel meetings and one briefing from the Chief Constable.
• Consideration and support for the PCC's refreshed Police and Crime Plan and the 2026/27 Precept Proposal, which included a £15 annual increase for a Band D property.
• Review of various reports, including updates on the HMICFRS PEEL Inspection, the Safer Streets Summer initiative, crime prevention strategies, and the Criminal Justice System.
• Regular Questions to the Commissioner sessions, covering topics such as ASB, shoplifting, and technological advances in crime tackling.
• Oversight of formal complaints made against the Commissioner.
• Review of the Panel's budget, which remained within the Home Office grant.

The report concluded that the Panel continues to focus on its core functions, ensuring transparency and delivering value for money.

Work Programme

The Panel was asked to note the work programme for the upcoming meetings. Items scheduled include the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair, a discussion on Caring for Victims, and standard agenda items such as Questions to the Commissioner and noting Commissioner's Decisions. Panel members were invited to contact the Panel Officer with any additional items they wished to add to the programme.

Notes of the Performance and Delivery Board Meeting

For information, the Panel received the notes from the Performance and Delivery Board meeting held on 26th November 2025. This meeting, chaired by the PCC, included updates from the Chief Constable on the delivery of the Police and Crime Plan, covering areas such as Protecting People, Protecting Places, Protecting Property, and Productive Partnerships. It also included updates on prevention strategies and inspection findings.