Sittingbourne

A speeding motorcyclist who fatally collided with a man as he crossed a road has been jailed.

Andy Gilchrist was travelling along the A262 Tenterden Road in Biddenden on Sunday 18th September 2022 when the fatal collision happened.

The 27-year-old, from Sittingbourne, was riding his motorcycle towards Tenterden, when he collided with 72-year-old Christopher Smith, who had stepped off a bus and had begun to cross the road.

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.

Witnesses are being sought after the fencing and pitches at a Sittingbourne Cricket Club were damaged earlier this week.

It was reported to Kent Police that at around 10pm on Monday (28th April), quad bikes and electric bicycles were being ridden onto the field at Gore Court Cricket Club on The Grove.

Damage was alleged to have occurred to four pitches at the cricket ground.

The bikes are believed to have entered the field from the Key Street area and left in the direction of Andrews Walk.

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.

CCTV images have been issued by officers investigating a report of an assault and criminal damage to a bus in Sittingbourne.

The incident happened as the vehicle was stationary at a set of traffic lights on London Road, at around 4.45pm on Tuesday (22nd April).

A suspect tried to get on the bus and, when the driver refused, it is alleged a window was smashed. The driver received multiple cuts from shards of glass. An investigation is underway and officers are issuing an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Kent Fire And Rescue (KFRS) were advising people on the Great Easthall Estate and neighbouring areas of Sittingbourne to keep windows and doors closed yesterday (Friday 25th April) afternoon due to heavy smoke coming from a fire in an industrial unit on The Eurolink Estate.

Reports were received at around 11:55am and at one point ten fire engines and a height vehicle were in attendance on Bingham Road with crews wearing breathing apparatus and using main jets to extinguish the flames.

Kent County Council (KCC) has today (Friday 4th April) confirmed all the candidates standing in the County Council Election on Thursday 1st May.

The cadidates are as follows:-

Sittingbourne North

• CARNELL, Derek William – Swale Independents
• DAVEY, Stephen Arthur – Green Party
• DENDOR, Michael Rodger – Conservative Party
• PALMER, Chris – Reform Party
• WISE, Ashley – Labour Party
• ZENG, Mary – Liberal Democrats

Sittingbourne South

Constables ordered seven people to leave areas of Sittingbourne over the weekend during a dispersal order to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Patrols working on foot in the town targeted the small number of people whose disorderly behaviour causes concern for residents and local business owners. The order was in operation between Friday 28th and Sunday 30th March and allowed officers to instruct anyone causing a nuisance to immediately leave the area. Those who choose to return faced being arrested.

Sittingbourne's Aldi store re-opened it's doors at 8:00am this morning (Thursday 13th March) following a two month extensive referbishment and upgrade.

The store, situated on East Street, has been there since 2005 and has finally seen a long anticipated expansion scheme completed over the last two months.

The plans were approved by Swale Borough Council in May 2024 and included an increase in floorspace.

The Mayor of Swale Cllr Ben Martin cut the ribbon earlier today with with two of the store's managers and welcomed the first customers through the door.

A three-month inquiry regarding the two applications known as 'Highsted Park' commenced at 10am this morning (Tuesday 11th March) at Swale House here in Sittingbourne.