Swale

The Liberal Democrat Party has selected it's parliamentary candidate for the Sittingbourne & Sheppey constituency for the next general election.

Frances Kneller, a 69-year-old managing director of a housing consultancy and property management company, has been chosen to stand for the party in a bid to become our local Member of Parliament. 

Kent Police have confirmed that 40 drivers have received fines as part of their ongoing work to crack down on motorists committing offences in Swale.

On Saturday 12 August officers from Kent Police’s Special Constabulary spent time in Mill Way, Sittingbourne, where they stopped drivers. During the operation 47 offences were identified and robustly dealt with.

A prolific shoplifter, who repeatedly targeted supermarkets across Swale and stole items totalling around £1,000, has been jailed.

Mark Hewitt was responsible for a catalogue of offences since May 2023, stealing meat and alcohol from shops including Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and Marks and Spencer.

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.

The Environment Agency have issued a Flood Alert for the Isle of Sheppey and the coastal areas from Kemsley to Seasalter for tomorrow (Tuesday 11th October).

A high spring tide and positive tidal surge is expected to affect the coast overnight tonight and in the early hours of tomorrow. Tides will be at their highest between midnight and 04:00 BST on Tuesday morning.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Cllr Simon Clark, Mayor of the Borough of Swale, told SFM News:

“It is with enormous sadness that we learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and I would like to express our sincere condolences on behalf of Swale Borough Council and the people of the Borough of Swale to the entire Royal Family.

“The Queen was known across the world for her strong sense of duty and commitment to serving the country and the Commonwealth.

Targeted action to locate wanted suspects in Swale has led to a series of arrests for offences including a violent assault and fraud.

The arrests follow proactive work by teams across the district to reduce the number of outstanding suspects also linked to offences such as shoplifting and criminal damage.

Street parties, BBQs, parties in parks, tree planting and beacon lighting are just some of the events happening around Swale on The Queens Jubilee long weekend.

Local celebrations are being held across the country during a four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June.

Leysdown, Minster Leas and Sheerness beaches have all received blue flags again this year.

After meeting the highest standards for cleanliness, facilities and water quality, all three beaches have been awarded with a blue flag.

Leysdown beach has also received the Seaside Award from Keep Britain Tidy presented to England’s best beaches.