Local News

Local charity, Litter Angels, has launched a new initiative on Facebook to get members of the public to report areas of litter and work together to clean up their communities.

The Facebook group, called 'Litter Angels Litter Watch', has been set up as a dedicated place for members of the public to report litter related issues affecting Sittingbourne and Sheppey. Those issues will then be investigated and a team of volunteers will be found to litter pick the area as soon as possible using equipment owned by Litter Angels. A photo from the litter pick and any interesting statistics will be posted to all users afterwards.

Local MP for Sittingbourne & Sheppey, Gordon Henderson and the Chairman of Litter Angels, told SFM News "Litter Angels had a very successful year visiting 20 primary schools during September and October to run anti-litter poster workshops. In addition we had the Litter Angels story published as a paperback book and this has been well received. Members of the Litter Angels team have noticed a number of posts on different Facebook pages and groups about litter related issues, which is why we have decided to launch our own dedicated Facebook group. I hope members of the public will now use the Litter Angels Litter Watch group so that action can be taken to clear it as soon as possible. Together we can make Sittingbourne and Sheppey a clean and tidy place of which we can be proud."

The Facebook group can be found by visiting www.facebook.com/groups/380076075472711. If anyone would like to volunteer to help resolve the litter problems posted, they are asked to message the administrators of the group.

Designated police vehicles will be out across Swale in the days leading up to Halloween targeting anti-social behaviour hotspots.

Kent Police are running specialised operations to deter and reduce behaviour likely to harass and alarm members of the public and dedicated patrol cars will be on hand to respond to calls.
Officers will be out in areas that have previously experienced particular problems during the Halloween period to ensure young people behave responsibly. These include town centres, parks and play areas, and officers will be communicating with local businesses and enforcing ongoing dispersal areas to move on groups of people who may be intimidating members of the public.

Swale's District Commander, Chief Inspector Tony Henley, told SFM News: "We want our residents to have fun this Halloween and we don't want to spoil anyone's good time, but it's equally important to remember that our more elderly or vulnerable residents can be left distressed by Halloween pranks carried out by the minority of people. Having dedicated cars around Sittingbourne, Faversham and Sheppey to respond to calls, alongside high visibility patrols, will hopefully reduce Halloween-related issues. In the past, these have included incidents of criminal damage and intimidation. People have also thrown eggs and flour at residents and properties, so we have put in place measures to ensure selling of these items during the Halloween period is closely monitored. Parents are reminded of the importance of supervising their children during Halloween and, where possible, accompany them on trick-or-treating visits. There are posters that can be placed in doors and windows to advise trick-or-treaters not to call at your property and our officers will be out and about to ensure these requests are respected."

For more advice, visit www.kent.police.uk/advice/seasonal_advice/autumn_halloween.html.

Posters advertising for declining trick-or-treating can also be downloaded from this address.

Kent Police officers, investigating a suspected burglary in Standen Grove, Sittingbourne, have released a computer-generated image of a man they would like to speak to.

The victim left his home at about 7.50pm on Saturday 20th September and when he returned about 20 minutes later he discovered his car had been stolen from the driveway.

It is believed those responsible entered the man's house while his family was upstairs and took the keys from a hook on the wall.

A witness has helped officers create a computer-generated image of a man described as being black, about 5ft 10in with bloodshot eyes and bushy eyebrows. He was wearing a dark blue hooded jumper and dark gloves.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Constable Iain Joyce on 01795 419255-  quoting reference XY/033559/14.

Alternatively you can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police have confirmed that they were called just after 2pm this afternoon following the discovery of human remains in the Tonge Road / Lomas Road area of Murston.

It is believed that the discovery was made by contractors clearing hedges in the area.

Kent Police have tonight confirmed that forensic officers have attended the area concerned "and investigations are ongoing to establish how long it has been there and possible identification".