Sittingbourne

The swimming pools at The Swallows Leisure Centre are temporarily closed.

Swale Community Leisure Ltd, who manage The Swallows Leisure Centre, say the closure is "as a precautionary measure to allow for cleaning after a small number of reported diarrhoea cases in the local area. The pools will re-open once the cleaning has been completed and water quality tests conducted".

They have confirmed to the SFM News Team that the gym, workout studios, sports hall, café, soft play and children's activities all remain open and that they are running normally.

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Kent Police are appealing for information following a collision near the Stockbury Roundabout at the weekend.

Officers were called to a report that a white Ford KA had overturned on the A249 in Stockbury Valley at 10.11am on Sunday (23rd July).

The South East Coast Ambulance Service, the Kent Air Ambulance and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were also deployed and a teenage girl was treated at the scene for a serious head injury before being taken to a London Hospital. 

A reminder that Milton Road will be closed between Eurolink Way and the A2 St Michael's Road from Monday (24th July) until Friday 25th August, to enable UK Power Networks to carry out high voltage cabling works to provide upgraded electricity supplies for the new retail outlets on the old Princes Street Depot site.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) have confirmed that they responded earlier today (Wednesday 5th July) to a serious collision on the Sheppey Way in Bobbing.

KFRS were working alongside colleagues from Kent Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and the HEMS paramedics.

The collision involves a motorcyclist and an Large Goods Vehicle (LGV). Fire crews used air bags to release a casualty, who was then handed into the care of paramedics.

A man has been found guilty of murdering former Sittingbourne school teacher Carl Davies on the Island Of Reunion.

Carl was 33-years-old when he was found dead on the south Indian Ocean island in November 2011.

Initial reports from the island suggested that he had fallen into a ravine but, a week later, it was revealed that he had in fact been murdered.

Since then his family have been trielessly campaigning to secure 'Justice For Carl' which also included a protest outside the UK Foreign Office in October 2013.

Several properties were struck by lightning earlier today (22nd June) during a major storm here in the Sittingbourne area.

Shortly after 11.40am two fire engines from Sittingbourne Fire Station responded to a detached garage fire in College Road, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. A hose reel and short extension ladder were used and crews made the scene safe.

Firefighters were also called to reports of a shed being struck in Orchard Road. There crews used a hose reel, a short extension ladder and small tools to tackle the fire in the roof void of the shed.

Detectives investigating a reported street robbery in Sittingbourne have issued CCTV images of a man they believe can help with their enquiries.

At around 1.10am on Friday 26th May it was reported that a man was in East Street when another man in his 20s approached him and stated he had a knife.

The man stole the victim's wallet and mobile phone.

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage or has any information that could help is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference XY/024003/17.

The Forum Shopping Centre, here in Sittingbourne, has announced the winner of their Father's Day Competition as Alan Larner.

The competition offered shoppers and online followers the chance to win a luxury dinner for two at The Holiday Inn Coniston Hotel plus a fantastic piece of jewellery courtesy of F Hinds, which is located within the shopping centre.

Members of the public entered the competition by sharing their most special and favourite things about their dad on The Forum's Facebook page.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service have been called to a large fire involving around 100sq metres of grass and undergrowth in the Gas Road area.

It is believed that three fire engines have been sent to the scene and firefighters are using hose reel jets to tackle the blaze.

There is a large plume of smoke in the area and residents are being advised to close all their windows and doors to prevent the smoke from entering their properties as a precaution.

A Sittingbourne burglar has been jailed for more than two years.

At around 10.30pm on 24th October 2016, a couple in their 70s discovered their home in Portland Avenue, Sittingbourne had been burgled.

Stolen items included a wallet with cash, and several pieces of antique jewellery.

An investigation by Kent Police revealed Christopher Swanson as the burglar and he was seen on CCTV climbing through a bedroom window of the property.