Local News

Kent Police are seeking witnesses after 27 sheep were found dead following a dog attack in a field near Sittingbourne.

The ewes, who were all believed to be pregnant, were attacked between Christmas Eve and 1pm on Boxing Day. It happened at a location near Deerton Street, Teynham. It has been reported that barking was heard in the area between 4pm and 5pm on Christmas Day.

PC Marc Pennicott, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force told SFM News: "This is a distressing incident which is possibly the worst livestock attack we have ever had. The sheep would have been petrified and had no way of escaping. We believe they may have been attacked by one dog but cannot rule out that more dogs may have also been responsible. The farmer has not only suffered a financial loss due to this incident but animals have needlessly lost their lives. These dogs would have been covered in mud and returned home exhausted and we are committed to identifying their owners. Sheep targeted were pregnant with twins or triplets and the remaining livestock have also been left vulnerable to a further attack, so it is extremely important that we find who is responsible for these dogs as quickly as possible."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119, quoting reference 26-0510. Alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form on their website.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were sent to the scene of a garage fire on Helen Thompson Close in Iwade, Sittingbourne in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 17th December).

Four fire engines were sent to the scene after the KFRS were called shortly after 4.20am and crews arrived to a fire spreading from a garage to the roof of an adjoining property.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus used main jets, hose reel jets and water from a local hydrant to extinguish the blaze.

No casualties were reported, and the cause has not been confirmed.

Banking giant Barclays have announced that their Sittingbourne branch is set to close in the New Year.

The branch, at 81 High Street Sittingbourne, will close its counters for the last time at 12 noon on Wednesday 8th March 2023.

A spokesperson for Barclays told SFM News "visits to the branch have declined as people are increasingly making use of other means of managing their money, such as telephone banking or online apps. Before deciding whether to close this branch, we looked carefully at how it’s been used and how customers are banking in other ways. We found that 91% of people who used our branch in 2021 had also used the app, online or by phone. Only 13 customers said that they regularly use the branch as their only way to do their banking."

Customers can withdraw money from their Barclays account at any Post Office branch using their debit card, and pay cheques into their account. Barclays said that affected customers can call 03457 345452 for more information.

The closure follows Barclays shuting both it's Sheerness and Faversham branches in the summer. Nat West and Lloyds also shut their Faversham branches this year leaving Nationwide as the only bank in the town.

Kent Police officers, investigating a fatal collision on the M2 earlier today (Sunday 27th November), are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

At around 6.14am a red Nissan Qashqai was involved in a collision with a red Mercedes-Benz C 200 AMG between junction six and five on the London-bound carriageway.

Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene and the driver of the Nissan Qashqai, a woman in her 50s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.

Officers are keen to talk to the driver of a light-coloured van who may have seen the Mercedes pass them prior to the collision. They believe the motorist may have important information which can assist their investigation.

The carriageway was closed following the collision and was reopened at around 4pm this afternoon. The woman’s next of kin were informed about the incident.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) would like to hear from anyone who saw what happened, or who has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage.

Drivers can call the SCIU appeal line at Kent Police Headquarters on 01622 798 538, or can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference AH/SC/131/22.

Drivers with any dashcam footage which may assist the investigation can submit it here.