Responsibilities and collaboration

Unique responsibilities when it comes to policing

Our responsibilities

Kent Police has unique responsibilities when it comes to policing the county.

As well as dealing with crime and disorder in our neighbourhoods, our geographic location - between London and the continent - means we have a part to play in national and international policing.

We are the main gateway to Europe through the ports of Dover, Folkestone and Ramsgate, the Channel Tunnel and a number of airfields and airports such as Manston and Lydd.

We also have one of the busiest road networks in the country which includes the M25, A2 and M20.

Collaboration

We share information with our colleagues on the contenient and collaborate with nearby forces to provide value for money and share best practice. Some of our collaboration work includes:

• the joint Serious Crime Directorate, which works across Kent and Essex, providing intelligence and support to tackle serious and organised criminals, both in Kent and those who travel between the two counties to commit offences.
• the joint procurement unit, which aims to deliver a first-class service, ensuring both forces get value for money. We make sure contracts are in place to deliver a range of services for both Kent Police and Essex Police, from uniforms to printing. Read our procurement page for details of current contracts and tendering opportunities.
• the joint marine unit, which serves and protects the waters of Kent and Essex, including counter terrorism, serious and organised crime and supporting neighbourhood policing. Its area of operation extends from the Port of Harwich in Essex to Dungeness in Kent and includes all rivers and inland waterways within the boundaries of the two forces. The Marine Unit works with partners including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the United Kingdom Border Agency, ports authorities, neighbouring police forces and European partners.
• the helicopter, which Kent Police and Essex Police share. It is a valuable resource for the two counties in the fight against crime and to location missing people. Follow @qh99heli on Twitter for regular updates on activity.
• the IT collaboration directorate, a four-way collaboration between Kent, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. The project supports operational policing through increased information sharing, efficiency and value for money. Project Athena is another large-scale joint police IT project to create a single IT system for 11 forces. The aim is to make it easier for police to share information on intelligence, crime investigation, managing offenders and preparing files for court.

Read a summary of the collaboration agreement between Kent Police and Essex Police, which sets out terms for three business areas: the Serious Crime Directorate, Procurement Services, the IT Directorate and the Air Support Unit.