麻豆约拍

Kent Police says it has hundreds more police officers on frontline duties than it had at the beginning of the year. A major reorganisation of the force has been completed, driven through by the chief constable, against a background of budget cuts.

The force has to save 拢53m by 2015. Back in February the chief constable Ian Learmonth announced 500 police officers and 1,000 civilian staff would go during that period.

More than 1,000 people in Kent will be worse off as a result of changes to housing benefits.

From January, those aged under 35 and living on their own will not be entitled to the standard rate of housing benefit for a one-bedroom property, instead they will get a lower rate based on shared occupancy. At the moment people over 25 get the higher allowance if they live on their own.

Libraries in Kent may have to close to help save 拢2m. Others may end up in shared premises like medical centres and parish councils.

The ideas come from Kent County Council, which is about to embark on a public consultation over the future of services.