Local News

Kent Police officers are appealing for witnesses after a taxi driver reported being robbed in Kemsley.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm on Saturday (15 September) evening on Flanders Close in Kemsley, after a man had called to book a taxi from the area.

The victim had knocked for the man when he appeared from nearby and told the taxi driver the call was for him. As both men got into the taxi the man pulled out a knife and used it to threaten the taxi driver. The victim quickly got out of the car and locked it with the man still inside. The suspect then kicked out the front passenger window before climbing through it and running off. The man then ran out of the close and towards Ypres Drive towards the direction of the train station.

The suspect has been described as a white man who was about 5ft 10ins tall and was wearing black baggy trousers, a dark long sleeved baggy top and a white scarf with blue stripes which was covering his head so only his eyes were visible.

Officers are connecting this incident to a previous incident in which another taxi driver was robbed last week. That incident was reported to have happened between 10.30pm and 10.40pm on Wednesday 12th on Meads Avenue, Sittingbourne, where a taxi driver was robbed of cash after a man had booked a taxi.

In this incident the suspect had been described as white, stocky build, around 5ft 10ins and wearing a grey jumper, dark grey jogging bottoms and wearing a black scarf which was covering most of his face. He was also wearing a pair of gloves and the hood to his jumper was pulled up.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police Appeals Line for Swale on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference XY/58943//18.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Collison investigators are appealing for witnesses following a fatal incident on the A249 Detling Hill earlier today (Thursday 13th September).

Kent Police were called at 6.25am this morning after a red Yamaha motorcycle and a grey Renault people carrier collided on the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway.

Police officers and the South East Coast Ambulance Service attended and sadly the motorcyclist, a man aged in his 30s, died at the scene. His next of kin have been made aware.

The carriageway was closed from the M20 Junction 7 through to the M2 Junction 5, whilst emergency services remained at the scene. The road was re-opened shortly after 3.00pm.

Anyone who saw the collision, or either of the vehicles prior to the collision, is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 798538, quoting reference DK/NR/127/18. Officers are particularly interested in speaking to those who may have dash cam footage. Alternatively you can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

A drug driving arrest was made following a recent morning of traffic checks carried out in the Sittingbourne area by the Kent Special Constabulary.

The Special Constables carried out routine safety checks on vehicles travelling in the Chestnut Street area on Tuesday (4th September) mornings and as a result a 38-year-old woman from Sheerness was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled drug. She has since been released, pending further enquiries.

The vehicle being driven was also believed to have been uninsured and has also been seized. In addition to this arrest 10 speeding tickets were issued to drivers exceeding the 30mph limit. The highest speed being recorded as 48mph.

A Special Constable is an unpaid volunteer who gives up at least 16 hours of their own time every month supporting regular police officers. They have full police powers, wear a uniform and carry standard-issue police equipment.

Anyone who might be interested in becoming a Special Constable can find out more by visiting: www.kent.police.uk or they can follow @KentSpecials on Twitter.

Officers, investigating an assault in Sittingbourne, have released an image of a van driven by a motorist they would like to talk to.

The incident is believed to have happened between 11:45am and 11.50am on Friday 3rd August in Dover Street, Sittingbourne.

The victim, a man in his 20's, was driving a yellow Luton van when another driver overtook him by driving on the wrong side of the road.

Both the victim and suspect become stuck in single file traffic with a taxi between them when the suspect started to make hand gestures towards the victim.

The suspect then got out of his van and started shouting at the victim. Despite the victim saying he did not want any confrontation the suspect leant into his van and is reported to have put his hands around his neck before tightening his grip.

The suspect also made threats to hurt the victim before he let go of him and returned to his van and drove away.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 25-35 years old, around 5ft 10ins with brown hair. He had two moles on one side of his face and was of a medium build and was wearing a white vest top.

The white van driven by the suspect had distinctive alloys and also had a roof rack with three ladders secured on top of one another.

Anyone who believes they know the identity of the suspect or who witnessed the incident is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting crime reference XY/48259/18.

Alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crime Stoppers in Kent free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.