Kent police has been given a further cash injection of £3.5m to deal with the impact of Brexit on the county.

The Home Office said the money would go some way to reflect the additional workload the force could expect In the event of a No Deal Brexit.

The announcement was made by the policing minister Nick Hurd who made a visit to Medway Police Station this morning to be briefed on operations involving the police and other agencies.

The minister said the government had now provided a £4.3 million to the force in recognition of the unique demands arising in Kent.

“Our decision to grant this funding recognises the unique role and hard work undertaken by Kent Police to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU.

"We are committed to providing police with the resources they need to deal with the implications of leaving the EU, while also ensuring forces keep on top of crime and continue to protect the public.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent Matthew Scott said: “Kent Police has been working hard with its partners for many months to ensure the county is as prepared as it possibly can be for the UK to leave the European Union on March 29.

“This contingency planning has cost the force a great deal of money.

"It has required a redirection of officers’ and staff members’ time in order to focus on planning for Brexit rather than the other demands and challenges that they face in policing the county.

“This contingency planning has cost the force a great deal of money..." - Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott

“I am grateful that the Government has recognised Kent’s unique position.

"It would not have been fair for local Kent residents’ taxes to have been used to meet the costs of preparing for what is evidently a nationally significant event.”

The additional funding will also support the significant role Kent Police will play in assisting Highways England with the implementation of Operation Brock, a system enabling traffic to continue to flow on the M20 in the event of disruption at ports.

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