Kent Police

A dispersal order is in place to tackle anti-social behaviour in central Sittingbourne.

It started at 2pm yesterday (Thursday 25th May) and will remain in place until 2pm on Sunday (28th May), covering Sittingbourne Retail Park as well as the High Street area.

The order has been implemented due to an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour in the district at weekends. It allows officers to stop anyone involved in disorderly behaviour and move them on from the area.

Advice about the dangers of carrying knives and taking drugs has been given to young people during a safety event in Swale.

‘Swale Safety in Action’ took place between Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th May and saw 350 Year Six students from across 10 primary schools invited to take part.

During the event, which was held at Swallows Leisure Centre, they were also told about hate crime, healthy relationships, online safety and road, fire and electrical safety.

A dispersal order will be in place over the weekend to tackle nuisance vehicles in Swale. It will operate from 7pm this eveining (Friday 19th May) until 7pm on Sunday (21st May) evening and includes Ridham Dock, Sheppey Way, Old Ferry Road, Swale Way, Barge Way, Neats Court Retail Park, Rushenden and Rushenden Marshes.

Kent Police say the enforcement "is due to an increase in reports of nuisance vehicles and, in some cases, dangerous driving at weekends. It allows officers to stop anyone involved in anti-social behaviour and move them on".

Local kent Polic officers are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision in Stockbury.

The incident was reported to have happened at around 2.50pm on Saturday (13th May) afternoon on the A249 at the junction with Chalky Road.

During the incident the driver of a white van was in collision with the driver of a red, white and blue BMW S1000 motorbike.

The van did not remain at the scene and the motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital.

Yesterday (Monday 15th May 2023) marked the start of Operation Sceptre, an initiative to tackle knife crime across the UK which brings together all 43 police forces and the British Transport Police in a week of intensified action.

Throughout the week, Kent Police has planned activity to target knife crime from its root cause right through to enforcement. 

Two lorries have been seized by officers during a multi-agency operation here in Swale.

Officers from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force joined forces with staff from the Environment Agency on the morning of Saturday (25th March) in response to concerns surrounding waste being illegally transported and tipped in Eastchurch.

During the operation police stopped three Scania tipper lorries to check they were road worthy and had the relevant waste licences. While one lorry driver was sent on their way, two other drivers had their vehicles seized.

A prolific shoplifter, who assaulted three police officers, has been jailed just a day after he was arrested in Sittingbourne.

Albert Ramsden repeatedly stole groceries from a Co-op in Forbes Road, Faversham during a spate of offences between Wednesday 8th March and Sunday 12th March. On Wednesday (15th March) police officers detained Ramsden in Bell Road, Sittingbourne. During the arrest he assaulted three officers, by kicking, elbowing and also attempting to bite the constables.

There will be an increased police presence in town this weekend following a recent rise in reports of nuisance behaviour in Sittingbourne.

A 48-hour dispersal order, under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014, will commenced at 4pm today (Friday 17th March) and remain in place until 8pm tomorrow (Saturday 18th March) evening.

Two men, suspected of stealing fuel from lorries, were arrested following quick work from a Kent Police dog and officers.

At around 3.45am on Monday (13th March) morning officers travelling on the A249 Maidstone-bound near Bobbing noticed a car parked close behind an HGV in a lay-by.

Two men then fled the scene as the patrol vehicle approached, with Police Dog Ciara and her handler called to assist in a search across fields.

Both suspects, one aged 30 and the other 21, were located shortly afterwards, arrested and later released on bail pending further enquiries.

Local officers are seeking witnesses following reports of three purses being stolen in Sittingbourne town centre.

The thefts are thought to have taken place between 9am and 1pm last Tuesday (28th February).

The victims were allegedly targeted in separate incidents at two charity shops in The Forum Shopping Centre and Roman Square, and also a store in the High Street. The crimes were only discovered at a later stage when the victims realised their property was missing.