Sittingbourne

A Sittingbourne resident, who used social media apps in attempts to groom a child for sex offences, has been jailed.

Michael Smith repeatedly sent indecent images and videos of himself to another user who he believed was only 13 years old.

A suspected burglar has been arrested after a victim of crime provided key information to police soon after a theft in Sittingbourne.

Kent Police were called at 12.30pm on Tuesday (11th January) following a report that the window of a vehicle had been smashed in Gadby Road and power tools stolen.

Following some detective work of his own, the owner suspected the stolen tools were being kept in the Wentworth Drive area and called the police.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to reports of a fire at a bungalow in Swanton Street, in Bredgar, yesterday (Saturday 1st January) afternoon.

Seven fire engines attended, shortly after 3:30pm, along with a bulk water carrier and a height vehicle. 

Crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets and fog spikes to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have started in the roof space of the property. 

No injuries were reported, however two adults suffered symptoms of suspected shock. 

Investigators are appealing for witnesses to a disturbance on Christmas Day (Saturday 25th December) in Sheerness.

The incident happened in a car park near Trinity Road. At around 6.50am, it is alleged several people were involved in an altercation during which damage was caused to two cars.

Kent Police patrols attended the scene where those involved had left prior to their arrival. Following enquiries, a car was stopped by officers at junction 5 of the M2, at around 9.10am.

Kent County Council (KCC) have confirmed that they are planning to allocate £3 million to "temporarily" enlarge three secondary schools in Sittingbourne, to accomodate extra pupils, from next September (2022) and the following year.

KCC say they have identified the need for extra secondary places schools at Westlands, The Sittingbourne School and Fulston Manor because new housing developments are boosting the borough of Swale's population, saying there is a need for "swift action" as they forsee" a shortfall" of 176 spaces for Year 7 starters in September 2023.

Charges have been authorised against a man by officers investigating an incident involving a child in Sittingbourne.

Harry Morris, aged 24 and of Peregrine Drive, has been charged with child abduction and sexually assaulting a child under 13 years old.

Mr Morris was charged following an allegation that a man approached a girl in an alleyway off Rectory Road at around 8.15am on Wednesday 8th December.

After a short verbal exchange, the suspect is said to have briefly grabbed her before running from the area. The girl was uninjured.

Officers are appealing for information after a man was charged over a robbery and collision in Sittingbourne.

At around 4.50pm last Saturday (11th December), a man was reportedly robbed of his car in London Road before it was involved in a two-vehicle collision.

No serious injuries were reported in the first collision, following which another attempted robbery was reported of another car nearby.

John Brazil has since been charged with robbery, attempted robbery, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and dangerous driving in relation to the incident.

Councillors have approved plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre.

A supplementary planning document was discussed at last night’s virtual Local Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday (15th December) evening and was approved to move to the next step which is public consultation.

Following consultation, the document will then become part of the current local plan and will shape how the council considers new development proposals.

Images of a man who may have important information on an incident in Sittingbourne have been released by Kent Police.

Detectives are investigating an allegation a man approached a girl in an alleyway off Rectory Road at around 8.15am on Wednesday (8th December) evening.

Following a short verbal exchange, he is said to have briefly grabbed her before running from the area when he was challenged. The girl was uninjured.

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a reported a rape in Sittingbourne.

It is alleged that during the early hours of yesterday (Saturday 11th December), a woman was raped by a man she had earlier encountered on a night out. The offence is said to have happened in a woodland location between Harrier Drive and Osprey Court in the Fallowfield area.

At around 7:00pm last night (11th December) detectives arrested a 21-year-old man from Sittingbourne on suspicion of rape and he was taken into custody.