Local News

Witnesses and dashcam are sought after several attempted break-ins and the theft of a car in Swale.

Officers are investigating 10 incidents in which four men are alleged to have targeted houses and vehicles over seven days in September.

At around 2am on Friday 22nd September, an attempt was made to enter a home in Aspen Drive until the four suspects were disturbed by a neighbour.

Similar reports were received around an hour later in Nelson Avenue, where a group of people were seen trying to break into two properties.

Later that morning, offenders sought to gain access to a house and a vehicle in Southsea Avenue, and a black MG was stolen from Jasmin Close.

Kent Police were notified of further attempted burglaries during early hours in Faversham and Sittingbourne, between Saturday 23 and Friday 27 September.

The four suspects are described as wearing grey tracksuits with the hoods worn up. They also had black gloves and dark shoes. One man was carrying a black bag over his shoulder and holding what was believed to be a notebook. They all had their faces covered.

Investigating officer PC Georgina Harris of Swale’s Criminal Investigation Department told SFM News: "While the suspects were unsuccessful in their attempts to get into the properties they were targeting, we are linking all the reports and are urging anyone with information that may identify those responsible to contact our appeal line. Drivers with dashcam and residents with CCTV are also asked to check for relevant footage."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/170845/23 or, alternatively, they can contact Kent Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by using the online form on their website.

Local residents are being invited to help name Swale Borough Councils’ new fleet of waste collection and street sweeper vehicles.

Swale Borough Council wants people to get creative and help name 24 new waste collection vehicles and four new street cleansing vehicles that will be working across the borough from March.

The vehicles are currently being built as part of the new waste and street cleansing contract with SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd.

The brand-new fleet will "help the council deliver improved waste collections and street cleansing services across the borough in a more environmentally friendly way. They will continue to collect general waste and recycling on alternate weeks, as well as collecting food waste separately every week, which is required by law".

These new vehicles will ensure the council have the capacity for all residents of Swale to recycle their food waste, every week with some vehicles will also be dedicated to the garden waste subscription service.

The contract begins on 25th March 2024 and will make use of the latest technology such as these new vehicles.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment Committee, told SFM News: “These new vehicles will massively boost our ability to provide the crucial waste services that the Borough needs. This is one of the many improvements coming to our waste disposal services thanks to the new contract with SUEZ. They will replace the old fleet with new, more environmentally friendly vehicles to provide a more reliable and greener collection service. We want to get residents involved by asking for help to name the lorries that will be driving through their streets every week.

Cllr Lehmann went on to add: “It is a great opportunity for you to be creative and we’re hoping to get better suggestions than “Binny McBinface”! Please share your ideas with us via social media or by using the dedicated email address. We can’t wait to see all of your suggestions!”

You will be able to leave your suggested names in the comments of the Council's posts on  their Facebook page, or by emailing your ideas to NameABinLorry@Swale.gov.uk.

The campaign will be running from through until Tuesday 31st October.

The council will then create a shortlist of the best ideas which will allow the public to vote for their favourites.

Councillor Ann Cavanagh, who was elected to Swale Borough Council in May this year, as a Swale Independent representing Borden and Grove Park ward, has joined the Labour Group and will sit with Labour when the Council convenes its next Full Council meeting next week.

The balance of the Council will thus change to; Labour-16 seats; Swale Independents 12; Conservatives 11; Liberal Democrats 5 and Green Party 3. It will make no difference to the balance between the Coalition administration and the opposition, as Cllr Cavanagh is exchanging one coalition group for another.

Cllr Cavanagh told SFM News "Since being elected to Swale Borough Council in May, I have found the Labour Councillors very friendly and supportive. I have known Tim Gibson. Leader of the Council and the Labour group, for about 5 years. He clearly has the respect of the whole Council. Since the elections of 2019 and the creation of the Rainbow Coalition, which I found very exciting and positive for Swale, I have followed its progress with interest. So, when asked by the Swale Independents, part of the coalition, to stand, I thought it would be a privilege to be part of the coalition. However, having seen how Tim leads his group, and how welcoming his group has been to me as a new councillor, I believe I will flourish in this group. So, for me I feel that Labour will be a better fit and am excited at the thought of getting involved with Labour both locally and in the forthcoming general election.”

Tim Gibson, the Leader of Swale Borough Council and the labour group told SFM News: “Ann is most welcome into the Labour group and of course into the Labour Party. She has developed very good working relationships with my members. With a general election looming and people focussing on liberating us from the current chaotic government, it is good to know that we have added another strong local voice to our team”.

The Full Council Meeting is at 7:00pm on Wednesday 11th October in the Council Chambers on the 3rd Floor of Swale House in East Street, Sittingbourne.

Swale Borough Council (SBC) have teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to crack down on suspected fly-tipping on a day of action collecting evidence and taking enforcement action for waste related crimes.  
  
SBC have confirmed that 8 vehicles were stopped and searched and 4 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued.  
  
Cllr Rich Lehmann, Chair of the Environment Committee at SBC told SFM News: "We as a council are determined to crack down on fly-tipping, it is an incredibly selfish act that spoils the environment for everyone. That is why our officers are regularly teaming up with Kent Police to give out penalty notices to clamp down on fly-tipping. It can be tempting to go with someone who offers a cheap way of getting rid of your waste, but you are likely to face a fine of £400 if any illegally carried or dumped waste leads back to you.  
  
Cllr Lehmann went on to add: “The fixed penalty notice legislation has changed recently, so we will be reviewing our position and looking at increasing fines for waste related offences like littering and fly-tipping. People say scrap metal has value and that it won’t be fly-tipped, but if someone’s getting rid of metal waste from building work, for example, we need to check where the non-metal waste has gone. We all have a legal duty to make sure our waste is disposed of responsibly, so you should always ask the waste carriers for their license and ask for a written receipt or transfer note. Help us keep Swale’s environment clean by disposing of your waste responsibly." 
  
Swale Borough Council have released some tips on what YOU can do to dispose of your waste responsibly:- 
   
They say that the fly-tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble or garden waste. However, these unlicensed waste carriers often simply dump the waste wherever they can get away with it, including in Kent’s country lanes.   
   
Householders or small businesses found to be using criminals to dispose of their waste can and are being prosecuted by local authorities in Kent with fixed penalty notices that go up to £400 per offence.  Failure to pay such an FPN may result in court action where fines can be significantly larger.  
   
To prevent this, householders should check whether someone is licenced to carry waste by visiting the Environment Agency website, or by calling 03708 506 506.   
   
It also helps if householders receive a written receipt or transfer note, including contact details, description of waste removed and details of where the waste is being taken to.