|
This is the first time Kent Police has had a marine boat since 1995.
The boat, refurbished last year, will be based in Sheerness and will improve community policing by acting as a ‘mobile police station’ on the water. The Kent coastline is one of the longest in England and acts as the maritime gateway into Europe.
The authority made a commitment as part of the police council tax rise in 2007 to invest some £150,000 into a new marine boat.
State-of-the-art vessel
A crew of three will crew the vessel that comes complete with state-of-the-art technology allowing those on board to identify other vessels on the river. The boat can carry a firearms team and specialist teams taking up to 16 people. Kent Police currently has two high-speed rigid hull inflatable boats used for intercept work. The new boat, much larger in size, will have a range of functions to complement the rigid hulls including high visibility patrols, counter terrorism and will be used to deal with people trafficking and smuggling. It will also operate alongside the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal entry and rogue shipping.
Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority, launched the Alexandra III in a champagne-breaking ceremony. She said: ‘I’m really pleased to have this new asset that will act as our main police boat on the river. Those who live or work by the sea will hopefully notice a police presence on the waters. In 2008 an effective police force has to be able to stretch from dealing with localised problems to international organised crime and terrorism. We made a commitment to the people of Kent to invest in specialist units helping to prevent the threat of water borne criminality – we now have the tool to do just that.’
Boat will provide protection and service
Chief Constable Michael Fuller said: 'This boat will be invaluable in increasing our capability and visibility around the Kent coast and in the county's waterways. It will dramatically enhance the work we already do with our colleagues in other police forces and agencies and help prevent the use of our coast and rivers for organised crime and terrorism. With its crew it will act as a virtual floating police station and provide protection and service to everyone in Kent. It will also patrol the expanding Thames Gateway and the wider maritime community.'
Superintendent Andrew Lyttle who has led the project said: 'This represents three years of planning and I'm delighted that the marine boat is going to add so much value to our policing effort. It's a vital tool and will play a key role in allowing the police to mitigate any risks that we manage of behalf of the public. Our joint Kent and Essex marine units will also benefit under the collaboration agreement. By sharing this tool we can find much smarter ways of working in the future.'
|
