Swale

Kent Police are investigating 11 reports of thefts from vehicles in Swale over the last few days.

Officers are investigating reports of theft after seven vehicles were reported to have been broken into overnight in various areas in Sittingbourne between Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th August and between Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August four more reports of theft were made with vehicles targeted in Sittingbourne, Iwade and Kemsley.

Here is the declared result for Swale:

• Leave the EU 47,388 (62.5%)
• Remain 28,481 (37.5%)

The turnout was an unprecidented 74.2% of the electorate locally.

A total of 48 ballot papers were rejected - 16 where both answers were marked and 28 void for uncertainty of the vote.

Swale's 71 Polling Stations opened at 7am this morning for the EU Referendum and will remain open until 10pm tonight.

For a full list of local Polling Stations please click here.

Despite the earlier downpours stations are reporting a steady stream of voters and are reiterating that voters should not leave their attendance to the last minute, as anyone outside a polling station after 10pm will not be allowed to join a queue if one has formed.

Picture: © Camilla Greenwell

BBC One daytime programme 'The Housing Enforcers', featuring Matt Allwright, the champion of consumer rights, heads to Sittingbourne and Sheerness next week.

Shoplifters in Swale have been arrested as part of a crackdown in the run up to Christmas.

Officers have been focusing their foot patrols in Sittingbourne town centre to locate and deter offenders and as well as targeting shoplifters, the foot patrols are also being carried out to help deter people from committing offences of criminal damage, violence and theft from vehicles.

Looking for small change to park your car in Swale could be a thing of the past, thanks to the new Phone and Pay parking scheme launched by Swale Borough Council.

Swale House, the home of Swale Borough Council, will be leaving one light switched on from 10 - 11pm tonight (Monday 4th August) when it supports the 'Lights Out' campaign tonight.

A single light will be based on the ground floor easily viewable from anyone walking or driving by the East Street offices at that time.

Cllr Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council told SFM News that this was just one of a number of events the Council will be supporting during the next four years in commemoration of World War One.

Chief Inspector Tony Henley (pictured), Swale's District Commander, will have greater control of resources in the area to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour as part of a new model launched by the Chief Constable of Kent Police earlier today.

Swale Borough Council held their first Regeneration Conference "Putting Swale On The Map" on Wednesday (4th June) afternoon at the Coniston Hotel.

Swale Borough Council have now installed defibrillators at its office's in Sittingbourne and at the Sheppey Gateway in Sheerness.

Three machines are available across the two sites, with over 36 volunteers trained to use them.