Local News

A scooter seized by Kent Police officers in Sittingbourne will be destroyed as efforts to target nuisance bike riders continue.

The Piaggio Liberty Scooter was confiscated after youths were caught riding it without helmets or insurance near The Meads area. Officers spotted two males riding the vehicle along Woollett Road on Tuesday 3rd September. A 15 year-old boy from Sittingbourne has been summoned to appear at court for having no licence or insurance and for not wearing a crash helmet.

Police have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy a vehicle that is being driven uninsured or where the motorist is causing a nuisance. New community support officer for Grove ward, Ian Henderson, reassured residents that measures to tackle anti-social bikers would continue to be enforced.

PCSO Henderson told SFM News "residents have told us that there is a problem with young people riding bikes dangerously in this area. This bike was seized and will be destroyed. Those riding these bikes often claim they are having harmless fun, but they can be also be very dangerous for pedestrians, especially young children or elderly people".

Kent Police's drive to tackle anti-social behaviour has led to other nuisance bike riders having vehicles destroyed. In April and May, community support officers targeted youths riding illegal mopeds and pit bikes in the Chalkwell and Milton Regis areas of Sittingbourne and action resulted in warnings to offenders and the forfeiture and destruction of vehicles.

Kent Police are reminding residents that if they are affected, or want to report any incidents, they can call them directly on 101.

The latest, following the 130 vehicle accident on the A249 Sheppey Crossing at 7.18am this morning, is that 8 people were seriously injured and more than 60 were treated for minor injuries on the scene by the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

It is believed that firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to release six people from their vehicles. 

Medway Martime Hospital has confirmed that they are dealing with 3 injuries in intensive care and that their A&E Department is closed to all new admissions until they have dealt with the backlog from the incident.

Stay tuned to Tony Weaver "In The Bourne" LIVE on 106.9 SFM or follow us on Twitter @SFMRadio for the very latest.

An Arriva double decker bus struck the railway bridge in Milton Road, Sittingbourne, earlier today resulting in both road and train service closures.

Kent Police confirmed to SFM News that they were called shortly after 9am today to reports of a collision between a bus and a railway bridge. The spokesperson went on to add that "no passengers were on board at the time, however, part of the road had to be closed to allow vehicle recovery and for Network Rail to assess the condition of the bridge and the safety of train services using it."

Southeastern Trains confirmed that an assessment had been carried out and that services resumed fully shortly after 10.15am.

An investigation will now be conducted by Arriva Southern Counties in to the accident.

A 58-year-old female cyclist suffered serious head injuries, after being hit by a car transporter on Eurolink Way in Sittingbourne earlier today.

Police and paramedics were called at about 11.40am this morning and the cyclist was taken to King's College Hospital, in South East London, after she was believed to have fallen into the side of the vehicle, a green Scania 340 car transporter.

Eurolink Way, between Crown Quay Lane and Milton Road, remained closed for several hours after the accident for investigation work to take place.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Maidstone Police Headquarters on 01622 798538.