Local News

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision on the A249 yesterday (Monday 15th July).

At about 11.45am a white Mercedes Axor HGV was involved in a collision with a stationary marked police vehicle on the Maidstone-bound carriageway, near Bobbing.

Police were responding to a report that a blue Citroen Picasso had broken down and was partially blocking the live lane. The HGV, which was carrying gas cylinders, then collided with the central reservation and landed on its side. A number of the gas cylinders fell from the vehicle and Kent Fire and Rescue Service attended.

Both carriageways of the A249 between the Stockbury roundabout and A2 Key Street were closed. At about 2.35pm lane 1 of 2 on the northbound carriageway was opened. Both carriageways were fully re-opened by 7.40pm.

The driver of the lorry, believed to be aged in his 30s and from the London area, was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital and was released later the same day with minor injuries. The officer attending the reported broken down vehicle and the driver of the broken down vehicle were uninjured.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident, or may have further information, is asked to contact PC Glen Braidwood, at the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, on 01622 798538 or they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police have released a computer generated image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a distraction burglary in Sittingbourne.

Detectives are investigating the incident which is believed to have taken place between 3.40pm and 4pm on Wednesday 3rd July, in Cellar Hill, Lynsted.

The resident, an elderly woman, answered a knock on the door to find a man holding a clipboard and claiming to be a police officer, who said he was there to speak to her about a previous incident at her home. It is understood the man flashed a card at her but did not give her chance to inspect it properly. On the grounds of having an update to the incident, the man persuaded the victim to follow him into her front room, where it is believed he closed the door, blocking her view of the entrance to the house.

Suspicious, the victim asked the man to leave and challenged his identity. The suspect said he would get his identity card from his car and left. The victim then saw him driving off towards the A2 in a blue saloon car. Later, she noticed someone had searched the upstairs of her house and stolen a substantial quantity of cash from her bedroom.

Detectives have now released an e-fit image of a man they believe could help with their enquiries (above). The suspect has been described as a white man with thinning fair hair and stubble. He is believed to be around 5ft 9ins tall and of medium build.

Senior investigating officer, DCI Ann Lisseman of Kent Police, told SFM News: 'We believe this victim may have been specifically targeted and we are working closely with her on our lines of enquiry.
This was a particularly unpleasant incident that has left a vulnerable lady very shaken up and upset. Never let anyone into your house that you don't know or aren't expecting. Genuine visitors will be more than happy to provide identification and remain outside while you verify it with their company and the police. A police officer will never come to your door and refuse to provide identification straight away, so please ask for it whenever you are unsure. No Kent Police officer will mind waiting outside while you verify who they are - look at their ID cards closely and if you are still unhappy, close the door and call us on 101 to confirm their identity. If you have any doubts at all, don't let them in. Ask them to come back another time or to arrange an appointment at a convenient time for you, when you can have a friend or neighbour present."

Anybody with any information on this incident is asked to call DC Richard Allingham on 01795 419230, quoting crime reference XY/020346/13. Alternatively they can contact Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

A man has appeared in court after being charged by detectives investigating an armed robbery at the weekend on the Isle Of Sheppey.

25-year-old Gary Donald Grannells, of Notting Hill in London, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court, on Thursday 4th July, accused of robbery at Mr G's Amusement Arcade on The Promenade, Leysdown at 12.15pm on Saturday (29th June) .

Grannells was charged with robbery and two counts of assaulting a police officer and was remanded in custody until Friday 19th July.

Investigations by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate into the robbery continue. It is believed that around £3,000 was stolen in the raid.

Anybody with any information, or who may of witnessed the incident, is asked to call 01634 792492, quoting crime reference XY/19866/13. Alternatively, they can call free (from any landline), and anonymously, Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Kent Police are appealing for help from members of the public to help locate a man who absconded from prison on the Isle of Sheppey.

Last year thirty-six-year-old Martin Jones absconded from HMP Standford Hill - a category D open prison for prisoners including those at the end of their sentence. Following his disappearance on Monday 9th  July 2012 Jones, who was serving a sentence for burglary, remains unlawfully at large. He is described as 5ft 6ins tall, of medium build and has blue eyes. He has dark brown hair which is receding and possibly shaven.

He has connections with the Dover area and is also known to frequent the Leysdown, Iwade and Sittingbourne areas of Swale.

Members of the public are advised not to approach him.

If you have information on his whereabouts you are asked to call DS Chris Dovey on 01634 792227, or alternatively you can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.