Neighbourhood Policing Team
Your Neighbourhood Policing Team is made up of local officers and police community support officers, led by a sergeant and inspector. They’re based in your area and supported by the wider Kent Police team.
We work with councils, community groups and local leaders to tackle the issues that matter most, finding long-term solutions and reducing crime.
We publish the meetings and events we plan to attend, but attendance depends on operational priorities.
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Crimes and priorities
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Priority:
Action taken:
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Priority:
Homelessness/begging.
Action taken:
Folkestone Central, like many town centres, has a higher number of people experiencing homelessness because support services and facilities are often based in urban areas. Changes in the law mean that rough sleeping and begging are no longer dealt with in the same way as under previous legislation. However, police will continue to take action where behaviour causes problems for the community, such as antisocial behaviour, harassment or other criminal offences. Local neighbourhood officers regularly patrol the area, speak with people who are homeless and work to protect both vulnerable individuals and the wider community. Officers also work closely with the local council and support organisations to share information and coordinate support where needed. As winter approaches, police and partner agencies will continue to work together to help those most at risk and ensure appropriate safeguarding and support is available.
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Priority:
Alcohol.
Action taken:
Alcohol-related issues in Folkestone Central are mainly linked to the town’s evening and night-time economy, as well as street drinking. While levels of alcohol-related activity are lower than in some larger towns across Kent, local neighbourhood officers continue to carry out regular visits to licensed premises to help ensure businesses are operating safely and within the conditions of their licence. Officers also work to address any crime or antisocial behaviour linked to alcohol use. Regular patrols take place in areas where concerns about street drinking have been reported, with action taken where necessary to reduce nuisance and lessen the impact on residents, visitors and local businesses. Police work closely with Folkestone & Hythe District Council and other partners, including supporting the use of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). A PSPO is a legal power used by councils to help address persistent antisocial behaviour in a specific area and can place restrictions on activities that are causing problems for the local community.
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Priority:
E-bikes/E-scooters.
Action taken:
Officers regularly patrol Folkestone town centre on foot and speak with people using e-bikes, e-scooters and bicycles where concerns are identified. As these forms of transport have become more popular, reports of unsafe, illegal and antisocial use have increased across many areas. Where appropriate, officers will take action against riders who are using these vehicles in a way that puts others at risk or causes nuisance. During the summer, local officers worked with Bouverie Place Shopping Centre to address concerns about the misuse of e-bikes and e-scooters. This joint work led to a number of measures being put in place to prevent individuals responsible for persistent antisocial behaviour from entering the shopping centre. With the end of the busy summer period and the return to school, it is expected that reports of this type of behaviour will reduce, particularly during weekdays.