The Kent Community Safety Partnership (KCSP) meeting scheduled for 31 March 2026 was set to cover a range of important community safety matters. Key discussions were expected to include updates on the Kent Community Safety Agreement, the work of the KCSP Working Group, and progress on the Kent and Medway Serious Violence Duty. Additionally, the meeting agenda included a review of the refreshed Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029.

Kent Community Safety Agreement Review and Refresh Update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and refreshing the Kent Community Safety Agreement (CSA) for 2026/27. The report outlined a proposed move from eight priorities to three overarching strategic aims to create a more streamlined, data-led approach to partnership working. The three proposed aims are: Stronger, safer and resilient neighbourhoods: addressing ASB, neighbourhood crime, and local concerns ; Reducing violence, abuse and high-harm offending ; and Protecting vulnerable people: reducing exploitation, susceptibility, and repeat harm . This revised framework aims to improve clarity, reduce duplication, and better align with local and countywide priorities, as well as the Kent Police and Crime Plan. The report also detailed the process of the review, which included evidence from local strategic assessments, partner feedback, and horizon scanning.

Kent Community Safety Partnership Working Group Update

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the Kent Community Safety Partnership Working Group. This included information on the funding allocated through the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) Crime Reduction Grant for 2025/26, detailing the ten projects that received funding. Updates were provided on the progress of these projects, such as the Hateful Extremism Learning Event, Countering the Extreme Right-Wing Training, and the Kent Community Domestic Abuse Champions initiative. The report also outlined the confirmed funding of £39,600 for the Crime Reduction Grant in 2026/27, with a portion allocated for upfront projects and the remainder held in a tactical pot for emerging needs. Information was also shared regarding the KCST's activities, including Community Safety Information Sessions and monthly e-bulletins, as well as learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews.

Kent and Medway Serious Violence Duty Update

An update was planned on the Kent and Medway Serious Violence Duty, a requirement established by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. This duty mandates specified authorities, including police, probation services, fire and rescue authorities, and local authorities, to collaborate and plan to prevent and reduce serious violence. The report was expected to summarise the strategy agreed by the Serious Violence Prevention Partnership Board, which defines serious violence to include homicide, knife crime, robbery, and gun crime, as well as areas where serious violence is inherent, such as domestic abuse and gangs. The update was to cover key strand updates on sexual violence, serious youth violence, and violence linked to drugs and alcohol, along with future planning, including the Young Futures Pilot.

Refreshed Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029 Update

The meeting agenda included a review of the refreshed Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029. The report explained the process of refreshing the plan annually, as required by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. This refresh was informed by the Annual Policing Survey 2025, which gathered feedback from over 5,400 respondents. Key findings from the survey indicated that residents felt safer where they live and in their town centres, and had increased trust and confidence in Kent Police compared to the previous year. The plan's four key priorities – Protecting People, Protecting Places, Protecting Property, and Productive Partnerships – remained central, with updates made to reflect survey data, recommendations from the Angiolini Inquiry, and elements of the Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. The report also detailed changes to specific pages within the plan, including updates on VAWG, neighbourhood policing, ASB, budget information, and the OPCC's social media presence.