Three Bayern Munich football T-shirts, a Haynes manual for a Mini and dozens of Krispy Kreme doughnuts are just some of the gifts received by police officers this year.

Businesses and members of the public have shown their appreciation of Kent's boys and girls in blue with acts of generosity big and small.

The publication of Kent Police's gifts and hospitality register for the period January to May records a swell in gestures of thanks from communities across the county in recognition of key workers during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

In March, as the nation went into lockdown, McDonald's in Aylesford gave £100 worth of free breakfasts as it prepared to close the restaurant.

Officers in the county's West Division were also given cotton bags made by a member of the public, so they did not have to wear their dirty uniform home during the pandemic.

Elsewhere in the county there were plenty of other gestures of solidarity during the lockdown, with one officer finding their Greggs bacon roll and drink were paid for by another customer as a thanks for their efforts in the face of Covid-19.

Businesses also did their bit to keep morale up among officers and staff during the crisis, with Domino's Pizza, McDonald's and Nando's among the chains gifting food to the frontline workers.

Reflecting on the generosity shown, head of professional standards at Kent Police, Det Ch Supt Rachel Curtis, said: "During the pandemic, local businesses including restaurants have either donated food or arranged for officers to collect it free of charge, which went a long way to help keep spirits up during some of the more challenging months of dealing with Covid-19.

"Whilst officers and staff cannot always accept the items provided, the thought and effort made by the public is always a welcome morale boost and a sign of the great relationships Kent Police has built with the communities it serves."

And gifts can sometimes come from the strangest of sources. In February, following the team's 3-0 win at Chelsea, three officers carried out passport checks on the Bayern Munich team bus and were each rewarded with a club T-shirt as a souvenir.

Sometimes the reward can be for more serious police matters. In January, a West Division officer was bought afternoon tea at the Chilston Park Hotel in Lenham as thanks for their assistance for a witness in a long-running trial.

"In the interests of transparency all police forces publish their respective gift and hospitality registers," Det Ch Supt Curtis said.

"It is only right that these offers are recorded, regardless of whether they are accepted or declined.

"The register ensures an accurate picture of gifts and hospitality that are offered across the county is available at all times to provide a full audit trail for openness and transparency."

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