Ann Barnes defends herself after Channel 4 documentary

It's been described as "car crash" TV. A documentary about Ann Barnes, Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner, that was shown on Channel 4 last night, prompted astonishment from viewers and disappointment from the Force.

Today Mrs Barnes says she's disappointed in the way the programme was put together, and frustrated that the good work of her office was not sufficiently highlighted.

David Johns reports, speaking to Mark Reckless MP, Ian Pointon of the Kent Police Federation, and supporter of Ann Barnes, Lynne Beaumont.

We spoke to Ian Pointon from the Kent Police Federation.

A plane has flown outside Kent Police Headquarters this afternoon, calling for Ann Barnes, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent to resign.

Kent Police Federation have said last night's TV show 'Meet the Commissioner' has made the force a "laughing stock".

The police force say the show has severely damaged the reputation of Kent Police although the reputuation damage to Ann Barnes 'far exceeds any to Kent Police'.

The Chairman of Kent Police Federation has issued the following statement following last night's documentary on Channel 4.

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes has defended herself amid sharp criticism following a "car crash" Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall documentary.

Mrs Barnes, PCC for Kent, said it was not her intention to attract bad publicity to the county's police officers and staff.

She reacted as viewers of last night's Meet The Police Commissioner programme said ex-teacher Mrs Barnes was an "embarrassment" to Kent Police.

In the hour-long show, Mrs Barnes, who travels around in a van she dubs "Ann Force 1", tried to explain what her £85,000-a-year role involved.

The documentary showed her having difficulty explaining an approach to policing priorities called "the onion" and bringing her dogs into the office.

She also failed to write her title correctly on a whiteboard and was filmed painting her "flaky" nails.

On Twitter, viewers compared her to Ricky Gervais's character David Brent - and one said the show was "depressingly hilarious, hilariously depressing".

One tweeted: "What an embarrassment Ann Barnes, PCC for Kent Police, is. Anybody watching this car crash TV? I'm not sure if this is a joke or not."

Another said: "Ann Barnes was like Kent's very own David Brent. A total embarrassment and waste of taxpayers' money."

Mrs Barnes said in a statement: "I want to be absolutely clear that in agreeing to the film being made, it was never my intention to draw adverse publicity to the excellent work being carried out by officers and staff in often very difficult circumstances."

Also in the programme, Mrs Barnes said driving a Mercedes was not her "image" - and she was then filmed in the next shot arriving at work in a Mercedes.

Mrs Barnes, who was elected in 2012, said she was concerned by claims that her appearance had damaged the reputation of Kent Police.

And she said she was disappointed that the programme focused too much on her, rather than the work of her office.

In a statement on her website, she said: "Many people have given their views on the programme and have speculated about my motivation for doing it.

"The only reason I agreed to do the documentary was to help people to better understand the job of a police and crime commissioner.

"The decision to let a film crew examine the work of the office for four months was not one I took lightly.

"I hoped it would give an insight into what is being done to help achieve the best possible police service for Kent.

"The film does go some way to addressing the complexities of the job and illustrates some of the challenges involved.

"But I am disappointed that there is too much emphasis on me as an individual and not enough on the work of the office.

"I know that much of what the office has achieved was filmed and I am frustrated that these scenes did not make it through to the final version."

She listed achievements, including addressing concerns about crime recording, developing a new victims' centre and investment in body-worn cameras and digital devices.

Ian Pointon, chairman of the Kent Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, told BBC Radio Kent: "I think it was probably a disaster from start to finish, in fairness.

"It was an ill-advised concept and from within Kent Police I know that Mrs Barnes was advised not to do it. It was never going to end well.

"I think, sadly, it has turned Kent Police by association into something of a laughing stock. Social media was alight with comments."

Mr Pointon said he recognised a positive from the show in Mrs Barnes's attempts to secure more funding for the police service.