Local News

Town Centre Regeneration Approved By Councillors

Town Centre Regeneration Approved By Councillors

Councillors have approved plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre.

A supplementary planning document was discussed at last night’s virtual Local Plan Panel meeting on Wednesday (15th December) evening and was approved to move to the next step which is public consultation.

Following consultation, the document will then become part of the current local plan and will shape how the council considers new development proposals.

Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, told SFM News: “All town centres face severe challenges. Changes in shopping habits and covid restrictions have affected local businesses. However, Sittingbourne has been shown to be a particularly resilient town centre, and we have also seen positive changes since the leisure complex opened. We now want to build on that success and have delivered a visionary plan to really take Sittingbourne forward".

It's belived that Swale Borough Council want to develop a leisure quarter, a historic quarter and a community hub, and create more tree lined roads and avenues and improve green spaces. We’ll be creating better links between the town centre Albany Park, Sittingbourne cemetery, Eurolink and Milton Creek Country Park and introducing more town centre living and making better use of brownfield locations within the town centre.

The new supplementary planning document will sit alongside Swale Borough Council's current local plan and sets out what they’re looking for in planning applications from land owners and developers. It also outlines what the council will be doing to make improvements to the town centre.

Cllr Baldock to SFM News: “We’ll be painting street furniture, updating finger signs and planting trees and shrubs along St Michaels Road as we improve pedestrian and cycling routes. We’ll also be looking to create a bus hub and promote better connectivity to the town by rail, bus, cycle and foot, from Eurolink, Milton Creek Country Park and the southern residential district to increase footfall and add to the liveliness of the town centre. While we’ll be focusing on big improvements, protecting the rich heritage of the town centre will be at the heart of any future development.”

 

CCTV Appeal Following Sittingbourne Assault

Images of a man who may have important information on an incident in Sittingbourne have been released by Kent Police.

Detectives are investigating an allegation a man approached a girl in an alleyway off Rectory Road at around 8.15am on Wednesday (8th December) evening.

Following a short verbal exchange, he is said to have briefly grabbed her before running from the area when he was challenged. The girl was uninjured.

Since receiving the report, officers have arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with the incident. He has since been bailed until Tuesday 4th January (2022) while officers carry out enquiries.

As part of the ongoing investigation officers are releasing an image of a man who they think is likely to have information which can further assist with enquiries.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Scott Relf told SFM News: "We understand the concerns members of the community may have when they hear of this incident, but please be assured that we have robust measures in place for when incidents of this nature are reported to us. This is shown by the quick action we have taken to ensure the safety of the girl involved and also detain a suspect. Our enquiries are continuing at pace and as part of these we are releasing these images. While we know the images are grainy, we believe that those who personally know the man would be able to recognise him. I would encourage anyone with information on his identity to contact us, as we believe he will have important information which can help with our investigation."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/252881/21 or, alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form on their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-ano... .

 

Arrest Made Following Report Of Rape

Arrest Made Following Report Of Rape

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a reported a rape in Sittingbourne.

It is alleged that during the early hours of yesterday (Saturday 11th December), a woman was raped by a man she had earlier encountered on a night out. The offence is said to have happened in a woodland location between Harrier Drive and Osprey Court in the Fallowfield area.

At around 7:00pm last night (11th December) detectives arrested a 21-year-old man from Sittingbourne on suspicion of rape and he was taken into custody.

Enquiries are ongoing and police have seized CCTV and cordoned off the area to allow for forensic examination of the scene.

Anyone who may have any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 11-0137 or, alternatively, they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, FREE and anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or by using the online form on their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-ano....

Care Home Residents Evicted With Five Hours Notice

Care Home Residents Evicted With Five Hours Notice

Families have been left in shock and anger after being told that the residential care home, where their vulnerable adult children lived in Sittingbourne, was being closed down.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England, initially inspected Berkeley House, Lynsted Lane, on Wednesday 20th October. Following their visit they "imposed urgent conditions upon the service" and another follow-up visit was made on Thursday 28th October. At that visit the CQC say that they "followed [their] normal practice of giving feedback at the end of the visit". They say that they are still compiling their final report and will publish it once "the legal processes are completed". The CQC told SFM News that they "are aware that following this inspection the local authority made arrangements for all people to move out of the service".

Parents say that residents at Berkeley House, most of them with special needs requiring specialist around the clock care, were told at midday on Friday 29th October that they would need to move out by 5pm that day. Achieve Together, who ran the site, issued a Press Statement as follows: “We are clear that the provision delivered at Berkeley House fell way below the high standards that the people we support rightly expect and deserve, and that we know we can provide. We wholeheartedly apologise for this.

“The circumstances surrounding the closure of this service are extremely complex and unique, and involved numerous parties. However, we completely recognise the distress and concern that the speed and nature of this closure caused for the people and families involved, and the impact it has subsequently had.

“A thorough investigation is already underway to ensure all of the specific issues raised by the CQC and others are robustly addressed, and so that lessons can be learnt. These actions will be communicated with the people we support, their families, the local authority, CQC, and other relevant stakeholders, who we are continuing to work in close partnership with.”

Appeal Following Serious A249 Collision

Appeal Following Serious A249 Collision

Witnesses are being sought following a serious collision on the A249 Sheppey Way near Bobbing last night.

The incident, involving a white Ford Transit tipper truck and a black and red motorcycle, took place at 5.10pm (Tuesday 30th November).

Both vehicles were travelling towards Iwade at the time of the collision and the motorcyclist, who is in his late teens, sustained serious injuries. He was taken to a London hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Officers from Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who was in the area and has dashcam footage that may assist the investigation.

Witnesses should call the SCIU appeal line on 01622 798 538, or, alternatively, they can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting reference AH/LB/135/21.

 

Helicopter, Drone And Dog Unit Help Track Suspect

Helicopter, Drone And Dog Unit Help Track Suspect

The police helicopter, drone and dog unit successfully assisted officers from the Rural Task Force to locate a man who reportedly made off from police in Sittingbourne.

Officers were patrolling Chestnut Street, Borden shortly before 5pm on Saturday (20th November) when they noticed a suspicious vehicle. As it came to a stop the officers got out and approached the van at which point it is said the suspect vehicle rammed the police car four times. The driver then made off on foot into a nearby woods.

The police helicopter, drone and dog unit were used to search for the suspect and he was located nearby and arrested.

A man in his forties was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, dangerous driving, going equipped and assaulting an emergency worker.

He has been released on police bail pending further investigation.

CCTV Released As Part Of An Assault Investigation

CCTV Released As Part Of An Assault Investigation

CCTV images have been released as part of an investigation into an assault on a woman in Sittingbourne.

It is reported the victim was headbutted and shaken violently after she had met up with a previously unknown man, during the evening of Friday 1st October.

The assault is alleged to have taken place in Station Street after the pair had been to a cinema and went for a walk together.

Investigating officer PC Harry Lewis of Swale’s Local Policing Unit told SFM News: "Since the allegations were made we have been exploring several lines of enquiry, including the review of any potential CCTV opportunities. We are now looking to identity and speak to the man in these images."

Anyone who recognises him or has information which may assist the investigation is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 46/195139/21.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers frr and anonymously on 0800 555 111, or by using the online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form

 

Burglars Jailed Following Crime Spree

Burglars Jailed Following Crime Spree

Two burglars have been sentenced at court after they stole vehicles parked outside owners’ homes in Swale and Medway.

Between Saturday 26th June and Sunday 11th July, Jim Smith (left photo) and Benjamin Lee targeted high value cars by stealing the ignition keys, having gained access to the victims' addresses.

On the 26th June, the pair stole an Audi A4 parked on a driveway in Coombe Drive, Sittingbourne. They replaced the number plates with a set stolen from a similar vehicle and then drove to Iwade where they attempted to commit another burglary.

They then travelled to Gillingham and broke into a house before stealing a Mercedes CLA parked outside.

Three days later, on 29th June, Smith and Lee stole another Mercedes CLA from the driveway of a house in Minster-on-Sea. On 5th July, they also attempted to break into a BMW owner’s home in the same town.

They stole a further Mercedes in Sittingbourne overnight on 11th July and the following day, Lee was seen driving it on false number plates by a Kent Police patrol.

The officers followed the vehicle onto Lower Rainham Road where it failed to stop when the patrol activated its blue lights.

Lee, of Flanagan Avenue, Queenborough continued towards the Medway towns at speed, driving in an extremely dangerous manner and causing other vehicles to take evasive action to avoid a collision. He was arrested in Chatham when the vehicle had to stop in a queue of traffic.

Investigators from the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad identified that Smith, of Church Road, Murston was Lee’s accomplice, and he was arrested on Tuesday 13th July.

Detectives proved the two were responsible for the multiple break-ins and theft offences, and they were both charged with conspiracy to commit burglaries.

Lee was also charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

The pair, both aged 20, pleaded guilty to the indictments at Maidstone Crown Court. On Tuesday (16th November), Lee was sentenced to three years and nine months. Smith was sentenced to two years and six months, and both will initially serve their detention in a young offender institution. Lee was also disqualified from driving for 40 months.

Detective Sergeant Richard Taylor told SFM News: "These criminals violated several homes to steal car keys whilst the owners were asleep on the premises. They showed no regard for the impact their actions would have on the victims and, when pursued, Lee had scant concern for the dangers he posed to other road users. Their detention in a young offender institution is entirely appropriate."

Kent Police To Target Uninsured Drivers

Kent Police To Target Uninsured Drivers

Roads policing officers in Kent are warning motorists that they will seize their car if it is not insured as they take part in a national campaign.

Between today (Monday 15th November) and this coming Sunday (21st November), officers will be focussing on uninsured vehicles whilst carrying out road checks and patrols as part of Op Drive Insured.

In the UK each year 130 people are killed and 26,000 suffer injury after being involved in a collision with an uninsured or untraced driver. This equates to one casualty every 20 minutes. Additionally one in every five collisions on the countries roads involve an untraced or uninsured driver.

Roads Policing Chief Inspector, Craig West told SFM News: "The use of uninsured vehicles causes an increased risk of harm to our communities. In the event of a collision with an uninsured driver the costs often fall to the law-abiding motorist involved who may lose their no claims bonus and have to pay their insurance excess out of their own pocket. In addition to the financial implications those who drive uninsured are often linked to other criminality and we are keen to get these vehicles off of our road network. Roads policing officers seize uninsured vehicles on a daily basis and can find out quickly if a car has insurance. When we seize a car it risks being crushed and the driver will be issued with six points and a £300 fine. Our message is simple, if your vehicle is not insured - don’t drive."

For more information please visit: https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/...

Age UK Receives An 'Inequalities In Sport' Grant

Age UK Receives An 'Inequalities In Sport' Grant

Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne has been awarded £3439 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund, which aims to tackle inequalities in activity levels as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

The funding award will allow Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne to grow on the success of their 'Walking Football' sessions with the launch of 'Walking Netball', both activities provide low impact exercise while at the same time tackling isolation through group activities.

Sport England’s work and contribution to Tackling Inequalities focuses on reducing the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity levels in under-represented groups, ensuring gaps between those who are active and those who are not do not widen during this period.

With a strong understanding of the needs and issues in their areas, Sport England has initially channelled £110,000 through Kent Sport to support community groups in their areas as a result of the impacts of COVID-19.

This funding and support will enable community groups working with target audiences – Lower Socio-Economic Groups, Black, Asian Minority Ethnic Communities, Disabled People and People with Long-Term Health Conditions (LTC) – to continue to exist and engage with their communities with a view to keeping them active during both the lockdown and early recovery stages.

Clare Burgess, Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne's Chief Executive, told SFM News:  “I am delighted that after the success of Walking Football we have now been awarded funding to launch Walking Netball, the Covid pandemic has had a huge impact on loneliness and isolation across Swale and this will enable us to offer another way of engaging socially with the added benefit of encouraging low impact physical activity. I look forward to welcoming the first group of Walking Netballers very soon”.

You can find out more about the current 'Walking Football' sessions by clicking here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/favershamandsittingbourne/activities-and-events...

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