Local News

Police Dog Locates Suspected Burglar

Police Dog Locates Suspected Burglar

A suspected burglar has been charged after a police dog and her handler located a man in bushy undergrowth in Kemsley.

Kent Police were called to a reported burglary in progress at 12.46am in the early hours of Tuesday (10th June) morning. It was alleged that a pharmacy in Grovehurst Road had been targeted. The suspect reportedly left the scene on foot.

Officers attended and enquiries were carried out at the scene. Police Dog Lyra and her handler began tracking and a man was located in undergrowth nearby. The man was detained.

Later that day, Lewis O’Brien, 34, was charged with attempted burglary.

He was also charged with theft in relation to a report that power tools were stolen from B&Q in Whitstable on Thursday 20th February 2025, and with breach of a Community Behaviour Order.

Mr O’Brien, of no fixed address, appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday 11th June) and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 30th July.

Crews Tackle Grass Fire in Iwade

Crews Tackle Grass Fire in Iwade

People around the Raspberry Hill Lane area in Iwade were being advised to keep windows and doors closed earlier today (Tuesday 3rd June).

The earlier advice was issued due to a large amount of smoke coming from a grass fire, which crews believed was caused accidentally after embers spread from an out-of-control bonfire.

The Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) were called at 11:37am and three fire engines attended, as well as an all-terrain vehicle. Firefighters used beaters and portable water tanks to extinguish the flames and no injuries were reported.

Panattoni Announces Completion Of New Site

Panattoni Announces Completion Of New Site

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has announced the practical completion of phase 1 of Panattoni Park here in Sittingbourne.

Consisting of two speculative units and the granting of planning permission for phase 2 for parcel operator DPD allowing for construction to commence in April 2026 on Barge Way.

Local MP Kevin McKenna opened the new facility last week with key representatives from Panattoni (pictured) and told SFM News this was "a milestone in investment for Swale".

Alex Mitchell, Development Manager for South East & London at Panattoni, told SFM News: “Phase 1 of Panattoni Park in Sittingbourne will deliver two high-quality, ESG-pioneering speculative sheds to the market, and represents a significant step in our commitment to sustainability and strategic growth in the South East. We are pleased to have completed phase 1 of the development and have the units ready for tenant fit-out. With excellent transport links just off the A249/M2, a strong local workforce, and competitive wages, these units are ideally placed to support the operational needs of modern occupiers. Phase 2 will allow us to continue this momentum, with DPD’s presence highlighting the appeal and importance of the site as a logistics hub in Kent.”

For more information please visit www.panattoni.co.uk/sittingbourne 

Crews Tackle Derelict House Blaze In Milton Regis

Crews Tackle Derelict House Blaze In Milton Regis

Pic: Dave Saunders

The Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) were advising people in the Milton Regis area to keep all windows and doors closed on Saturday (31st May) afternoon, due to heavy smoke coming from a derelict house fire on Roberts Close. 

The KFRS were called at 3:35pm following reports of a blaze on the residential street.

Six fire engines attended the scene and crews, wearing breathing apparatus and using main jets to extinguish the flames until just after 4.10am in the early hours of Sunday morning.

In an update from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) a spokesperson told SFM News: “Firefighting operations are now complete. Crews returned to the scene in the early hours of this morning to extinguish further flames using hose reel jets. At the height of the incident, seven fire engines and a height vehicle attended. There were no reported injuries and the cause remains unknown.”

The Dyers Pop In For A Chat With Sam

The Dyers Pop In For A Chat With Sam

It's a BIG thank you to The Dyers for popping in this morning for a chat with Sam Gillham on the 106.9 SFM Breakfast Show.

As you have no doubt seen in the local press, and on social media, they are currently filming a new "fly-on-the-wall" documentary for SKY TV at the Priory Hill & Nutts Farm Holiday Park in Leysdown on the Isle Of Sheppey.

They will be holding an Open Day there between 2 and 5pm on Saturday 7th June and have very kindly invited the 106.9 SFM Roadshow Van to attend as well.

So why not pop along and see us!

You can find out more about the day on their website: https://prioryhill.co.uk

and thanks again to The Dyers for popping in to see us here in Sittingbourne!

 

Beach Awards For The Isle Of Sheppey

Beach Awards For Isle Of Sheppey

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2025, and among them are three bathing beaches on the Isle of Sheppey.

This year the beaches which have met the high standard required to be presented with a Blue Flag, Seaside Award, or both are:

  • Sheerness – Blue Flag and Seaside Award
  • Leysdown – Seaside Award
  • Minster Leas – Seaside Award

Cllr Dolley Wooster, Chair of the environment and climate change committee at Swale Borough Council (SBC), told SFM News: “It’s brilliant news for the Island to receive these prestigious awards once again. These highlight all the hard work carried out by our officers and volunteers to maintain our beaches and their facilities for residents and visitors to enjoy. We’re lucky to have such beautiful coastline, and these awards recognise our beaches are still among the best in the country.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE told SFM News: “In England we are lucky enough to have some of the best beaches in the world. It’s wonderful to see the flags flying proudly over three beaches in Swale, demonstrating their quality to residents and visitors alike. The awards are a credit to the collective efforts of beach and site managers, volunteers, residents and businesses who should take pride today in their tireless efforts to maintain, protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular blue spaces. Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards.”

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.

Blue Flag, the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas, is an environmental education programme managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

It is only presented to beaches with water which has achieved the highest classification as set by the EU Bathing Water Directive and has an environmental education programme, and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.

Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.

Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:

  • Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
  • Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
  • Environmental management, including litter and waste.
  • Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the 'sufficient’ standard.

 You can find out more about Swale's local beaches at www.swale.gov.uk/beaches

Appeal Following Inappropriate Behaviour In Park

Appeal Following Inappropriate Behaviour In Park

Local Police investigating an incident involving inappropriate behaviour at a park in Sittingbourne are appealing to identify a man they wish to speak to.

A group of teenage girls were listening to music on a green between Amethyst Drive and The Meads Avenue at around 4pm on Thursday 17th April. They were approached by a man they did not know, who was described as being very unsteady on his feet.

The man made conversation with the group before joining them on the green and dancing. It is reported that one of the girls was touched over her clothing before the man left the area on foot.

Officers attended and initial enquiries were completed, including reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses. Investigators are now able to release an image of a man they wish to speak to.

Detective Constable Lucas Melella told SFM News: "While we continue to investigate this incident, we are appealing to anyone who may recognise this man to contact us, as he may have important information that could assist our enquiries."

Anyone with relevant information should contact Kent Police on 01795 419 119, quoting reference 46/63866/25. Alternatively you can also call Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete theironline form at crimestoppers-uk.org

Prison Sentence For "Dangerous Driving" Motorcyclist

Prison Sentence For "Dangerous Driving" Motorcyclist

A speeding motorcyclist who fatally collided with a man as he crossed a road has been jailed.

Andy Gilchrist was travelling along the A262 Tenterden Road in Biddenden on Sunday 18th September 2022 when the fatal collision happened.

The 27-year-old, from Sittingbourne, was riding his motorcycle towards Tenterden, when he collided with 72-year-old Christopher Smith, who had stepped off a bus and had begun to cross the road.

Subsequent investigations by officers established Mr Gilchrist was travelling at more than 60mph in the 50mph limit when he collided with Mr Smith. Witness also told investigators that moments prior to the collision, Mr Gilchrist had overtaken two vehicles at approximately 75 to 78mph, within the same 50mph zone.

Mr Smith suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by SECAmb paramedics while a passenger on Mr Gilchrist’s bike was taken to hospital having suffered a serious leg injury.

Mr Gilchrist appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (8th May) and was found guilty of causing death by careless driving, as well as causing serious injury by careless driving. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail and received an 18-month disqualification from driving.

Detective Constable David Holmes, of Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told SFM News: "This was a deeply tragic incident that led to the loss of a life, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family.The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of what happened and showcases the lasting impact that poor decisions on the road can have."

Local MP Hosts Mental Health Conference

Local MP Hosts Mental Health Conference

Our local MP (for Sittingbourne & Shppey) Kevin McKenna and Swale CVS (Community & Voluntary Services) hosted a Mental Health Conference at Sheerness Dockyard's Island Works on Friday (9th May).

The day brought together a wide range of VCSE organisations in Swale, all committed to the same goal—supporting better mental health for everyone in our community.

There were a series of themed workshops exploring real challenges and opportunities across the sector.

Swale CVS decribed the discussions as "insightful, collaborative, and filled with hope for what we can achieve together".

The results and feedback from these workshops will be published by Swale CVS shortly and will be shared with the wider sector to support continued learning and action. 

The event was a precursor to Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, which runs all this week (Monday 12th - Sunday 18th May).

Car Fire Closes M2 Motorway

Car Fire Closes M2 Motorway

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a crash involving one vehicle, which then set alight, on the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 coastbound at around 9.06pm this evening (Saturday 10th May).

Four fire engines attended and on arrival saw that everyone was out of the vehicle.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using hose reel jets.

SECAmb were also in attendance.

The motorway was closed in both directions during the incident and road was re-opened at around 10:30pm.

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