Local News

A catapult crackdown is in effect across the county as neighbourhood Kent Police officers continue to respond to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Constables and Police Community Support Officers have been taking action to tackle the use of catapults to harm people and wildlife, or to cause criminal damage, by searching anyone suspected of doing so and seizing any items they find. Investigations are also being carried out into possible offences and those found responsible risk being arrested and brought before the courts.

Overall reports of nuisance incidents fell in seven of the county’s 13 policing districts in the year to June 2025 and Kent Police say they are "working hard to continue this positive trend and deploying officers to undertake regular patrols in hotspot locations, tackling the types of anti-social behaviour that matter most to local people including the use of catapults to cause criminal damage and harm to wildlife".

Chief Inspector James Ross told SFM News: "Since the beginning of June we have received an average of 14 contacts per day that relate to the use or possession of catapults, which sometimes includes multiple reports for the same incident. Whilst this is only around one per district per day, we understand that incidents are likely to be under-reported and are therefore committed to tackling this issue head-on. It is not currently illegal to possess a catapult but if our officers suspect one is being used to commit crime or antisocial behaviour then they will not hesitate to seize and destroy it along with any other items such as ball bearings. They will also make arrests and bring offenders to court if necessary and proportionate. Being visible is the bedrock of our service to the public and we will continue to carry out regular patrols in order to stamp down on this type of unacceptable behaviour."

Kent Police also confirmed that they are taking action to tackle crime in problem areas by working with other organisations. This includes making certain places more secure and cracking down on ASB and raising awareness about knife crime in areas that need it most.

Thanks to funding from the PCC’s Crime Reduction Grant, several local projects have been delivered in Swale, including Street Marshalls providing a visible presence in the borough's town centres, support for Street Pastors, youth engagement through gaming bus sessions, a youth graffiti workshop at Sittingbourne Skate Park and the ongoing monitoring of CCTV and deployment of mobile CCTV where needed  including continued enforcement of licensing regulations when required.

Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne & Sheppey, told SFM News: "these initiatives are about prevention, visibility and meaningful community engagement and I’ll continue to support efforts to make our towns safer for everyone. Tackling anti-social behaviour and keeping our communities safe remains a top priority".

You can report anti-social behaviour directly to kent Police by using their website at: kent.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/.

A Sittingbiurne chef has scooped a top prize at the annual Asian and Oriental Chef Awards for 2025.

Jamal Uddin, known locally as "Jay" works at the Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant Humayra on Northwood Drive and was picked as a regional award winner. The Awards Ceremony was held at the House of Lords in London on Thursday 17th July. 

Mr Uddin took part in a "cook-off" at the event and was selected winner from a national pool of public-nominated chefs from across the UK after impressing a panel of industry experts.

Mr Uddin told SFM News: "I would like to thank all our customers for nominating us for the competition and supporting Humayra all these years. I'd also like to thank everyone, including my colleagues, for all their hard work.”

He was joined by fellow Kent chef Alex Boyd of Kumquat in Tunbridge Wells, who was also recognised. Kumquat has previously featured amongst the UK’s Top 100 Asian & Curry Restaurants.

Patrols have arrested a man after air pods alleged to have been stolen from a car were tracked down in Sittingbourne.

The theft was reported by the victim after they found their car had been targeted in Pavilion Drive, Kemsley in the early hours of Tuesday (8th July) morning.

Enquiries led to the missing items being recovered by officers from a property less than a mile away two days later.

A 42-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of theft and interference with motor vehicles. He was later conditionally bailed to return to the police station on a later date.

Investigators are completing further enquiries into overnight thefts from vehicles in the area, between Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th July.

The officers are appealing to residents with CCTV and dashcam to check for footage that shows a man acting suspiciously. They would also like to hear from victims of recent thefts from cars who have not yet reported the crime to the police.

Anyone with information should call 01795 419 119, quoting reference 46/116525/25. Alternatively you can also call Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form.

Swale Borough Council have decided to reduce the parking discounts available for leisure centre users at both Swallows Leisure Centre here in Sittingbourne and Sheppey Leisure Complex in Sheerness.

Despite warnings that people will go elsewhere for their fitness needs, with plenty of free parking options avaialable locally, the council's Housing and Health Committee Meeting discussed a range of options including the complete removal of car parking refunds, reducing the current arrangements by 50%, introducing a maximum of 1 hour refunds and only offering park refunds to concessionary members only. There was also an option to offer refunds at car parks further away from the centres to reduce overcrowding in key town centre car parks.  

However they voted for a new scheme where users will only be able to claim their cash back for the first hour – £1.50. The changes will come into force from Thursday 1st April 2027, after the current leisure contract with Swale Community Leisure Trust (who commissioned Serco Leisure to run day-to-day operations) ends on the 31st March 2027. Councillors also voted to extend the new scheme to user of Faversham Pools in the Central Car park in the town.

A spokesman for Swale Borough Council told SFM this would: “make sure everyone across the borough has access to discounted parking, while also remaining financially responsible. It will help us create fairness across our leisure sites and reduce the costs of these non-statutory services, as we work towards a balanced budget.”

Existing Swallows and Sheppey customers can get a refund of between 1 and 3 hours parking depending upon the activity they undertake and it only applies to sports and fitness activities and not play or commercial activities e.g. pool/hall hire or birthday parties/events.