As of 4 February 2026, more than 850 residents from Sittingbourne and the wider Swale area have backed a formal appeal asking the Prime Minister to review how the government allocates funding for local police. The community-led campaign argues the current Police Funding Formula relies on outdated data that does not reflect recent housing growth and population increases in the area.
The appeal was coordinated through the office of Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott and is supported by local business owners, who have asked for a fairer share of the national police budget. Supporters say Sittingbourne’s location near major routes such as the M2 and the A2 places extra traffic and operational pressure on local officers, who are often diverted to traffic duties.
Shop owners in the town centre have been among the most vocal supporters, calling for more officers to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. They say that while Swale’s population has grown substantially — the area rose by nearly 12% between the 2011 and 2021 censuses — visible officer numbers have not always kept pace with new residents.
The push for a funding review comes as the Home Office finalises its settlement for the 2026/27 fiscal year. Campaigners say a successful outcome would secure additional resources for town-centre foot patrols and frontline services across the Sittingbourne area to help residents feel safer.
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