Are the county's crime and anti social behaviour levels on the up? Kent Police release figures
00:00, 18 August 2015
Is crime on the up where you live? Or are there fewer unlawful goings-on in the county now than last year?
Kent Police has released figures for the number of reported crimes and anti-social behaviour incidents in each area.
You might be surprised with the results.
The reported crimes include sexual offences, robbery, criminal damage and shoplifting.
There are separate figures for anti-social behaviour, which involves anything from drunkenness, rowdiness and nuisance gathering in public to inappropriate use of fireworks and dog bites.
The figures show that overall in Kent, there were 2,000 fewer crimes reported from August 2014 to July this year, than there were in the same period from 2013 to 2014.
The number of anti-social behaviour incidents plummeted by 2,069.
Though both figures have dropped overall, Medway has seen 900 more crimes committed this year, with figures for Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and Malling also increasing.
Anti-social behaviour activity has decreased in all areas of Kent except for Tonbridge and Malling, which has seen 40 more incidents this year.
A police spokesman said: "We take the issue of anti-social behaviour very seriously as it can cause great concern within communities and have a very negative impact on a person’s quality of life.
"Under the new Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which came into place in October, we are able to use more flexible dispersal powers and officers use them where necessary and appropriate to help improve the lives of victims across the county.
"Kent Police is also working with local authorities and other partner agencies in Kent and Medway, who will also be able to use these new powers in supporting our communities."