Matthew Scott

06/09/2026

I have remained in close contact with the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable about the protest that took place in Dover yesterday.

To the residents and businesses of Dover, I am sorry that you have again been subject to disruption.

Whilst I do respect the right to peaceful protest, I do condemn the intimidating tactics used by those gathered.

Kent Police is debriefing Saturday’s incident and I will closely monitor this.

I am grateful to the Officers and Staff on the ground who responded well and worked hard to restore the flow of traffic as quickly as they could and bringing the protest to a conclusion.

03/09/2026

I have written to secondary schools across Kent to advertise a new national procurement framework, which is providing access to lockable mobile phone pouches, designed to support phone free learning environments, at a lower cost.

The framework has been developed by BlueLight Commercial, a company owned by Police and Crime Commissioners, and provides schools with a compliant route to purchase lockable mobile phone pouches, unlocking bases and associated support services from eight approved suppliers. The framework itself is free to access and can be used through either a direct award or mini competition procurement process.

More info 👇

https://www.kent-pcc.gov.uk/news-menu/press-releases/2026/lower-cost-mobile-phone-pouch-purchasing-available-to-schools

18/08/2026

Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has co-signed a letter to the new Justice Secretary, Rt Hon Alex Norris MP, calling for more support for victims affected by the Government’s reforms to sentencing and early release.

Mr Scott shares the portfolio for Victims at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners with the Labour PCC for Avon and Somerset, Clare Moody, with whom the letter was co-signed.

The letter calls for better communication with victims, improved links with local victim support services, assurances on safeguards and an input for restorative justice services.

Mr Scott said:

“Victims and witnesses should be at the heart of the justice system but are already experiencing significant waits for their cases to be heard in court. Their confidence in the system is being shaken further by the prospect that offenders either won’t go to prison or will be released much earlier. That is not right or fair.

“There needs to be urgent action to provide clarity and timely information for victims, and give them the assurance that proper safeguarding measures are in place to protect them. What has been suggested so far is not sufficient. I hope the Justice Secretary will heed the call of Deputy Mayors and PCCs and work with us as the local victim champions.”

Commenting on the reforms more widely, Mr Scott said

“The Government needs to listen to PCCs and Chief Constables, who are raising legitimate concerns about the prisoners who are being released early and change course. It is not right that the killers of PC Andrew Harper should ever have been considered for early release and the Government must do all they can to stop this.

“Their reforms are also placing a massive burden on policing. They will cost £480m for policing to manage, with no extra resources to mitigate, and could lead to an increase in crime nationally. When Parliament returns in September, we need to see a radical plan of action to address this.”

13/08/2026

In response to the Victim’s Commissioner’s report, “Forgotten victims: Barriers to justice following a road traffic collision”, the APCC’s Joint National Leads for Victims, Clare Moody and Matthew Scott, said:

“We welcome the Victims’ Commissioner’s report and echo her call for a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach to supporting victims of road traffic collisions. While we know many police officers and specialist support services are working hard to support victims, it is clear more needs to be done. No victim or grieving family should feel forgotten by the system that is supposed to support them.

“As local victims champions, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy Mayors raise victims’ voices, advocate on their behalf to ensure their needs are prioritised and met by local criminal justice agencies, and commission specialist services to support them. We have raised the need for stronger accountability across statutory agencies so that every victim receives the information, communication and support to which they are entitled under the Victims’ Code.

“The APCC contributed to this report and is committed to further supporting the Victims’ Commissioner in her work to strengthen accountability and compliance with the Victims’ Code, and to improve victims’ journeys through the criminal justice system.”

24/06/2026

Police Force mergers lack legitimacy, as things stand.

The policy was not included in a manifesto.

The Review tasked with recommending new Force boundaries is not consulting with the public.

And the council tax precept paid by residents, which makes up 42% of Kent Police’s budget, is explicitly not to be considered as part of the Review.

Some may see the benefits of fewer Forces. But the public hasn’t been asked.

PCCs are now running their own consultations. The interim results of mine have now been published as the first part of my response.

83% of Kent residents who responded to our consultation say they do not support plans to merge Kent Police with other forces.

More than 1,500 people shared their views on the Government’s proposals to create larger, regional police forces and and the feedback is clear - residents want policing that stays local and accountable.

There are strong concerns that a merger could reduce the focus on neighbourhood policing, with 87% believing it would have a negative impact locally.

These findings have now been submitted to the Independent Reviewer of Police Force Structures, Lord Hogan-Howe to ensure the voices of Kent residents are heard as decisions are made.

The consultation is still open, giving residents the opportunity to share their views as these proposals are considered nationally.

Read more and take part in the consultation: https://www.kent-pcc.gov.uk/news-menu/press-releases/2026/83-of-kent-residents-oppose-police-force-merger/

15/06/2026

I am delighted that the Government has listened and will now, at last, pursue a ban on social media for the under 16s.

It has been a hard won victory by parents and charities, with many fantastic groups, such as Generation Focus, Whitstable Unplugged and SFC Kent working hard to make the case for change.

A u-turn is a u-turn - I will not criticise the Government for listening to the evidence and changing their minds to make young people safer.

Now we all need to work together again to make the legislation as effective as possible.

09/06/2026

This afternoon, I attended a Home Office roundtable on the misuse of catapults, hosted by the Policing Minister.

I reiterated the need for action to protect communities. Specifically:

• amending offensive weapons legislation
• changing Home Office statutory guidance to give Police greater enforcement powers
• changing Home Office counting rules and making wildlife crime a notifiable offences
• all agencies using their powers to address this

And given the trends on TikTok and SnapChat, I suggested that we could have had a ban on those under sixteen from using social media by now. But the Government didn’t support this.

We heard from a range of national organisations about the matter, including those involved in their sale and running clubs.

I’m not sure where the Government will go next, because there is no timeline for action.

Whilst there is a lot to consider, there are somethings that the Home Office could do that are within their gift that would make a difference.

Locally, our rural taskforce are doing their best to coordinate the response, tackle prolific offenders and work with Beat Officers to support the neighbourhoods affected.

I will raise this again with Ministers so that action is taken on a national level, and continue raising it with Kent Police.

06/06/2026

Crime is important no matter where it takes place, and that includes our coastal communities.

Following last Summer’s disorder I have worked with Kent Police and local authorities to support them with their response.

At my Performance and Delivery Board this week, the Chief Constable re-iterated his commitment to keeping coastal residents, businesses and visitors safe.

Kent Police has outlined their plans here: https://www.kent.police.uk/news/kent/latest/policing-news/summer-crackdown-on-antisocial-behaviour/

04/06/2026

A big Volunteers Week thank you to everyone who is giving up their time for their neighbourhoods.

02/06/2026

Swanley’s local Officers have been doing street stalls across the area to understand local residents’ concerns.

They’ve been in Hextable, White Oak Leisure Centre and Asda promoting their work locally.

Across Kent, Beat Officers are doing similar programmes of engagements; you can find out when these are and get local news updates when you sign up at www.mycommunityvoicekent.co.uk.

You can also contact your local Beat Officer by typing your postcode in at www.kent.police.uk and using the form.