Local News

Dozens of Kent Police officers, PCSOs and council wardens joined forces for a special day of action to prevent and detect crime in the rural areas around Sittingbourne recently.

In the latest of Kent Police's 'Operation Nonagon' initiatives, Police and Kent County Council staff patrolled Faversham and many of the surrounding villages. In the course of their duties on Wednesday 23rd July the team apprehended suspected burglars, seized suspected stolen property and issued crime prevention advice to local residents.

Local officers, assisted by two teams of volunteer Special Constables, conducted patrols in villages such as Bredgar, Doddington, Eastling, Hartlip, Iwade, Lower Halstow, Newington, Newnham, Stockbury, Tonge, Tunstall and Upchurch.

Sergeant Dave Smith, from Kent Police, told SFM News: "this high-visibility presence and activity helps reassure local rural communities, while preventing and detecting crime. The teams executed a search warrant at a Faversham address to locate possible stolen goods. No residents were present but officers seized a petrol lawnmower, petrol strimmer and petrol chainsaw from the property and enquiries into those items are ongoing."

Kent Police are appealing for information after a safe was recovered from the River Thames at Greenhithe.

At 8.09am on Sunday (27th July) officers received a report that two men had been witnessed throwing a safe over the seawall into the river at Sara Crescent.

The safe was recovered later that day at Denton Wharf by a specialist team. It appeared as though it had been damaged. Inside there was a set of digital scales and some other objects too water-damaged to be identified.

A 22-year-old man from Sittingbourne was arrested hours later on suspicion of theft and bailed pending further investigation until Tuesday 27th August.

Investigating officer, DC Bill Looker, told SFM News: "We have reason to believe this safe was stolen before it was dumped and we're looking for any information to help us establish the circumstances surround the theft to help us locate its owner. I'd ask anybody with information to call me directly on 01474 366042, or alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 55 5111."

Kent Police are appealing for information after a disabled woman was robbed of her walking frame on the Isle of Sheppey.

At around 9.15am on Saturday (12th July) the victim - a woman in her 60s - was at a bus stop on Minster Road when two men holding cans of lager walked up to her. They then went on to make derogatory comments to her about her disability and as they walked past, one reached out and punched her on the arm, causing her to fall over.

The pair then grabbed her walking frame and ran off with it, running down the road and disappearing down an alleyway. The woman cut her arm when she fell and was left shocked and distressed.

Detective Sergeant Martin Carter, of Kent Police, told SFM News: "This was a revolting act of mindless aggression against a vulnerable lady who cannot walk far without the aid of her frame. To verbally abuse and belittle her is low enough but to knock her down and steal the frame, leaving her helpless on the ground, is truly despicable and I'm sure the entire community shares our disgust. We are following up a number of lines of enquiry in relation to this and would welcome any information from the public."

The men are described as being around 20 years old, both of skinny build and of 'dirty' appearance. The first was around 5ft 3ins tall, wearing grey jogging bottoms and a grey hooded top with two holes in the right arm. The second was around 5ft 9ins, had sores on his face and wore black jeans, black trainers and a dark grey hooded top.

Anybody with any information regarding the incident is asked to call Kent Police on 101, quoting crime reference XY/024657/14, or alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555111.

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic collision on the A249 Sheppey Crossing earlier today.

At 1.18pm this afternoon, officers were notified of a collision between a red car and a white pick-up style transit in the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway.

The driver of the red car, a 42-year-old woman from Sheerness and her 8-year-old son died in the incident. A 6-year-old boy was hurt and taken to a London hospital for treatment his injuries which are described as being minor.

The male driver of the pick-up has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He is currently in police custody.

Officers from the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for information regarding the incident, particularly from witnesses who observed the white pick-up or red car prior to the collision.  Anyone with any information and who have not yet spoken to police as yet, is asked to call Sergeant Chris Wade on 01622 798538.