A KENT branch of the national crime hotline which has helped to catch thousands of criminals has been launched.

Chief Constable of Kent Mike Fuller officially launched Kent Crimestoppers at a ceremony at Imperial College in Wye, near Ashford, on Wednesday.

The county now has its own project manager, Steve Mellers, who works with its police forces and goes out on operations with officers.

He said: "My role is to work with all the different crime initiatives and find out what the priorities are in each area to support their work. This way we can make much closer links with local police.

"There will always be people who are too scared to phone the police and make themselves known. My job is to get the word out that there is an alternative."

The free, anonymous hotline was set up 18 years ago so people could give information about crime without anyone knowing who they are. Since then it has led to 71,000 arrests in the UK and provided police with valuable intelligence.

Crimestoppers made an enormous contribution to the investigation into the £53m Securitas robbery in Tonbridge, Mr Fuller said.

He added: "Having a Kent branch gives us a local identity and enables us to deal with local crime. The people of Kent will benefit from this."

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.