A POLICE unit which has cracked down on burglaries and vehicle crimes has been honoured for its "outstanding work".

Members of North Kent Tactical CID were given merit awards by Kent Chief Constable Michael Fuller last week.

The unit has a 40 per cent burglary detection rate, which is the best in the country. This compares with 13.9 per cent nationally, Tactical CID also has a 19 per cent vehicle crime detection rate, compared with 10.4 per cent nationally.

The team, which was set up in July 2006, has 15 members and is led by Detective Inspector Simon Thompson, who is delighted with its performance.

He said: "We take great pride in being the best performing police area and making the residents of north Kent the safest in the country."

They cut burglaries by 30 per cent, with 1,311 recorded from April 1, 2006, to March 31, last year, and 918 recorded from April 1 last year to March 9 this year.

Vehicle crimes were down by 11 per cent, with 2,891 recorded from April 1, 2006, to March 31 last year, and 2,573 recorded from April 1 last year to March 9 this year.

Mr Fuller praised the team's achievement at the awards ceremony in Maidstone last week.

He said: "The awards and commendations reflect exceptional service, including bravery, the highest standards of professionalism, commitment and outstanding work.

"I never fail to be inspired by the selflessness shown by the winners of these awards and it gives me enormous pride to thank those receiving them, not only on behalf of the force, but also on behalf of the wider community."

The Tactical CID's work saw it deal with a series of burglaries in the Denton and Higham areas of Gravesham between the end of last year and February this year.

Mr Thompson says his team's success justified the award.

He said: "This award is a great honour. Very few officers receive this award from the Chief Constable and it's worthy recognition of the teams achievements."