More than three quarters of all reported crime in Kent last year went unsolved by Kent Police.

Crime stats show that the force was unable to prosecute over 65,000 people and not even identify a suspect nearly 70,000 times.

They show that there were a total of 169,008 crimes in Kent during the 12-month period, giving a crime rate of 1 in every 8 citizens of Kent.

With nearly 170,000 crimes reported in 2017 that means that over 130,000 reports were unsuccessful in their conclusion.

But Kent Police defended their record: “It is misleading to focus on detection rates as a measure of success. In many cases a suspect is identified but there may be many reasons why they are not brought to justice, for example when the victim does not support a prosecution, or the offence is non-recent and the suspect might have died.

‘It is also important to note that every undetected crime remains on file and can be reopened at any point should new information come to light.

`Kent Police is dedicated to providing a first class service to victims of crime and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary recently graded Kent Police as ‘Outstanding’ in terms of how legitimate we are at keeping people safe and reducing crime.’

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott said: ‘I hold the Chief Constable to account but I do not set targets. I recognise that sometimes despite Kent Police’s best efforts it is not possible to bring offenders to justice due to lack of available evidence or where the suspect has died, for example.

“Irrespective of whether their crime can be ‘solved’ or not, I fund support services for all victims so they receive whatever help and care they need to recover and eventually move on with their lives.

The PCC regularly holds the Chief Constable to account for force performance at his Performance and Delivery Board.

Man stabbed at house party in Pretoria Road in Canterbury

 

Only one police force saw a drop in crime between 2016 and 2017 – The City of London.

Other stats

22,428 more violence and sexual offences have been reported, an increase of 33%

3,137 more criminal damage and arson, an increase of 4%

2,095 more other thefts, an increase of 13% but still the third most reported crime in Kent.

There has already been 166 Violence and Sexual Offences been reported in 2018 already, just in Canterbury.

A Kent Police spokesman said: `Every crime reported to Kent Police is investigated thoroughly and proportionately, with all appropriate lines of enquiry followed up. 

‘When crime is committed it is always treated seriously and officers will do all they can to identify and prosecute those responsible.

‘However, it is misleading to focus on detection rates as a measure of success. In many cases a suspect is identified but there may be many reasons why they are not brought to justice, for example when the victim does not support a prosecution, or the offence is non-recent and the suspect might have died.

‘It is also important to note that every undetected crime remains on file and can be reopened at any point should new information come to light.

`Kent Police is dedicated to providing a first class service to victims of crime and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary recently graded Kent Police as ‘Outstanding’ in terms of how legitimate we are at keeping people safe and reducing crime.’

Kent Police most common crimes

The highest crimes that go unsolved are;

Violence and Sexual Offences

With over 68,000 total crimes reported in 2017, in comparison to 2016 figures it has meant these offences have increased by 49%.

Criminal Damage and Arson

Making up nearly 25,000 reported crimes it has had an increase of 16% in a year.

Theft

Has over 16,000 crimes that were reported in 2017 but over 14,500 reported in 2016, making an increase of 14%.

Public Order Offences

Gathered 12,500 crime reports in the same time period and is the highest climber since 2016 with more than a 180% increase.

Shoplifting

Whilst shoplifting got reported over 12,000 times, it dropped below public order offences with only a 10% increase since 2016.