Kent Police have launched an innovative initiative offering young offenders the opportunity to voluntarily wear GPS ankle tags, aiming to curb antisocial behaviour and retail theft. Nicknamed the ‘chav nav’ due to their satellite navigation technology, these Buddi-branded devices provide real-time location tracking, enabling effective monitoring and support.
The force has secured funding for 15 of these monitoring units, which have already been successfully implemented in other parts of England and Wales. The programme targets individuals under 25 and is managed by Kent Police’s Integrated Offender Management team.
Chief Constable Tim Smith outlined the initiative in a report to Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott, which is undergoing review by the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel. The tags are expected to help reduce crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour by encouraging accountability and offering a pathway for rehabilitation.
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Support for the scheme comes from local leaders like Ashford county councillor Bill Barrett, who expressed optimism about deploying the tags in his constituency. Research shows that individual offenders often contribute disproportionately to crime rates, and these devices help authorities supervise those at risk of reoffending or criminal exploitation.
Commissioner Scott commented, “Kent Police is exploring all avenues for crime prevention and rehabilitation support. These devices have proven both effective and cost-efficient in reducing crime and incidents of people going missing. Our work through the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has set a best-practice example.”
The VRU emphasised that the Buddi tags provide up-to-date data on wearers’ movements, supporting comprehensive tracking and analytical reviews. Their use is focused on individuals vulnerable to gang or criminal exploitation and those identified as high-risk offenders seeking support to reduce their risk.
By fostering closer partnerships between agencies and offenders, the tags help divert young people from crime and build stronger working relationships. Councillor Barrett highlighted the persistent issues with antisocial behaviour and shoplifting across Kent and welcomed the voluntary nature of the scheme, which signals a genuine commitment to turning lives around.
Beyond crime prevention, the devices also assist in managing domestic violence cases and enforcing prisoner curfews. Official statistics reveal that antisocial behaviour increased by 9.3% and retail crime rose by 12.2% in the year to September, underscoring the need for new approaches.
Kent Police has not yet disclosed the total funding amount for the tagging initiative but remains committed to exploring effective solutions to tackle youth crime.