Faversham

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) remains at the scene of a fire involving a commercial premises in Preston Street, Faversham.

Control operators received a call shortly after 2.11pm this afternoon (Wednesday 31st December) and sent nine fire engines and a height vehicle to The Alexander Centre.

It's believed that fire crews, wearing breathing apparatus and a technical rescue unit were sent to the scene.

The Alexander Centre told SFM News: "a fire broke out in the roof of the Gatefield Hall. Thankfully, no-one was in the building and no-one has been harmed".

Officers policing New Year celebrations in Swale’s town centres have been granted extra powers to prevent crime.

Dispersal orders are in place in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Sheerness in an effort to combat any antisocial behaviour and criminal activity related to the night-time economy.

The orders will be in place from 4pm today (Wednesday 31st December) New Year’s Eve and will run until 4pm tomrrow (1st January 2026) New Year’s Day.

Kent Police officers have renewed their appeal for dashcam footage and witnesses after a pedestrian in Faversham was seriously injured by a vehicle which then left the scene.

At around 7.45pm last Saturday (27th September) evening a 65 year old man was struck as he was walking in the North Lane area, close to the junction with Partridge Lane.

In the moments before the collision a Ford Focus and another small hatchback were seen travelling south on North Lane in the direction of South Road.

Dashcam footage and witnesses are being sought after a pedestrian in Faversham was seriously injured by a vehicle which then left the scene last night.

The 65-year-old man was struck as he was walking in the North Lane area during the evening yesterday 27th September),

Police were called at around 7.50pm to a location close to the junction with Partridge Lane, where the victim was found suffering serious injuries. He was taken by ambulance crews to hospital and remains in a critical condition.

Kent Police have issed CCTV images following a report that two shoplifters in Faversham threatened a member of security staff with a knuckle duster.

It is alleged the victim was also subjected to racist abuse during the incident, which happened at a Tesco store in Crescent Road. Two men entered the supermarket late on Friday 20th June, and following suspicious behaviour were challenged by the victim at around 11.20pm.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a crash involving one vehicle, which then set alight, on the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 coastbound at around 9.06pm this evening (Saturday 10th May).

Four fire engines attended and on arrival saw that everyone was out of the vehicle.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using hose reel jets.

SECAmb were also in attendance.

The motorway was closed in both directions during the incident and road was re-opened at around 10:30pm.

Swale residents are being reminded to be vigilant following multiple attempts to steal cash by criminals posing as police officers on the phone.

Between Monday (28th April) and Tuesday (29th April), Kent Police received 13 reports of attempted fraud in Sittingbourne and Faversham, with offenders claiming there had been criminal activity linked to victims’ bank accounts. The suspects then instructed them to withdraw large amounts of cash which would be collected by a courier, to assist the investigation.

Bus operator Stagecoach have announved that bus route 3 (Canterbury > Faversham Bysing Wood) will no longer operate from  this coming Sunday (12th January).

The route currently makes up part of the service frequency between Faversham and Canterbury (alongside the X3). Stagecoach confirmed "unfortunately daytime bus use on this corridor hasn't recovered to pre-pandemic levels and it's no longer possible to sustain the half hourly daytime frequency. That said it's really important to emphasise that peak-time services, in particular school-time buses, won't be affected".

Detectives investigating burglaries at two businesses in Kent have charged a suspect.

Liam Scott, aged 24 and of Lower Road in Faversham, has been charged with two counts of burglary, making off without payment, theft of a motor vehicle and driving without insurance.

As part of the investigation a warrant was carried out at a property in Faversham on the Friday (5th January) morning where Mr Scott was arrested.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is responding to a lorry fire on the M2 coast-bound near to Junction 5 for the A249 Sittingbourne.

Seven fire engines and a bulk water carrier are in attendance and crews wearing breathing apparatus are using compressed air foam to extinguish the flames. 

Both the coast-bound and London-bound carriageways have been closed while crews work at the scene, and drivers are warned to expect delays. 

Please listen out for the latest traffic updateson 106.9 SFM before travelling towards the affected area.