A FORMER Kent Police chief has admitted he is in favour of a national police force.

Barry Pain, who held the county’s top job from 1974-82, was speaking at a reception and service marking the force’s 150th anniversary at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday.

Mr Pain, who is now living in Sussex, said: “I am going to suggest that the idea of a national police force is a good one.

“The Government’s plan to try and merge forces, including Kent’s, was simply tinkering. Breaking down the boundaries between forces would be no bad thing.”

He added society’s moral decline and financial pressures were the biggest changes affecting the force since his retirement.

Hundreds of officers past and present attended the service led by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.

Current Chief Constable Mike Fuller, who became the UK’s first black chief constable three years ago, said the day was “about feeling proud of our past and confident about our future”.

Earlier he cut an authentic Punjabi carrot cake to mark the anniversary and joined guests in watching a performance of Indian music and dance.

Mr Fuller praised the force’s handling of last year’s £53million Securitas robbery and said it could “feel confident in keeping the people of the county safe.”

He was joined by former chief constables Mr Paine, Sir David Phillips and Lord Condon and officers from forces in France, Belgium and Holland.

In his sermon, the Archbishop said people in the county should be thankful for their police force. He also paid tribute to the 65 officers killed since the force began.

Among those present was the chairwoman of Kent Police’s independent advisory group Carol Stewart who said the force remained committed to improving links with ethnic minority groups.

She said: “There is room for improvement when it comes to the police’s relationships with minority groups but the force is doing good things.

“They are supportive of events such as the Young Black Acheivers’ scheme and that helps with build a community’s confidence in reporting crime.”

Kent Police is putting together a booklet charting its history, dates and photographs from its 150 years.Anyone with a story to tell is asked to contact the force by e-mailing150@kent.pnn.police.uk or by post to Media Services, Kent Police Headquarters, Sutton Road, Maidstone, ME15 9BZ.