The Panel to receive a presentation from a representative of the Borough Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Community Services (Cllr Keers) was invited to introduce the Safer Neighbour Team and explained that the former antisocial behaviour enforcement team had been renamed in order to emphasise reassurance, confidence and preventative community work, while retaining enforcement capability where needed.
It was reported that the Team had recommenced on 6 May 2026 and would operate from Wednesday to Sunday during peak antisocial behaviour periods. A two-year contract had been awarded to TMS Protection so that the team could become more embedded in local communities.
The Panel heard that the service comprised four officers split into two teams, working variable shifts, with at least one team working until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Officers would patrol across the whole borough, wear clearly identifiable uniforms and use liveried vehicles. Those parish and town councils contributing financially would receive at least weekly visits, but non-contributing areas would continue to receive patrol coverage as part of the borough-wide initiative.
A representative from TMS Protection outlined the service aim of providing high-visibility patrols, reassuring the public and supporting enforcement of public space protection orders.
Members were advised that the officers held Community Safety Accreditation Scheme powers, following training, vetting and accreditation with the police, and that these powers enabled officers to address issues including antisocial behaviour, alcohol-related disorder, littering and graffiti.
It was explained that patrols would focus on known hotspots, parks, open spaces and locations where complaints had been received, and that officers would gather intelligence, engage with young people and the wider public, and use patrol logs, smartforms and body-worn video to record activity and support escalation where required.
During questions, clarification was sought on the process for reporting antisocial behaviour. In response, it was advised that Kent Police remained the first point of contact, particularly via 101 for non-emergency matters and 999 in an emergency, but that concerns could also be reported to the Borough Council’s Community Safety Partnership through the Borough Council.
Concern was expressed that reporting routes were not yet sufficiently clear and it was agreed that a full list of contact details and reporting routes for antisocial behaviour would be circulated to parish clerks early the following week.
The Panel asked whether the power to stop cycles extended to electric bikes and scooters. It was confirmed that it did, although practical difficulties were acknowledged where officers were on foot and riders were already in motion.
Questions were also raised on the geographical scope of the powers and on officer deployment. The Panel was advised that the powers applied in public places across Tonbridge and Malling Borough and that patrols always operated in pairs for health and safety, resilience and evidential reasons.
The issue of whether all parishes should contribute financially to the scheme was discussed. It was explained that smaller parishes with relatively low levels of crime and antisocial behaviour might not need to contribute, although they would still receive a service as part of the borough-wide initiative.
The Panel also discussed the distinction between the remit of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team and other issues such as traveller encampments, large-scale waste matters and speeding traffic. It was explained that, while the team would report such matters and gather intelligence, they would not lead on them; rather, these would be dealt with by the relevant specialist council service, Kent Police or other partner agencies.
At the conclusion of the item, thanks were recorded to the Cabinet Member and to the TMS representative for the presentation, and it was confirmed that the presentation slides would be circulated.