Local News

Images of a man who may have important information on an incident in Sittingbourne have been released by Kent Police.

Detectives are investigating an allegation a man approached a girl in an alleyway off Rectory Road at around 8.15am on Wednesday (8th December) evening.

Following a short verbal exchange, he is said to have briefly grabbed her before running from the area when he was challenged. The girl was uninjured.

Since receiving the report, officers have arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with the incident. He has since been bailed until Tuesday 4th January (2022) while officers carry out enquiries.

As part of the ongoing investigation officers are releasing an image of a man who they think is likely to have information which can further assist with enquiries.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Scott Relf told SFM News: "We understand the concerns members of the community may have when they hear of this incident, but please be assured that we have robust measures in place for when incidents of this nature are reported to us. This is shown by the quick action we have taken to ensure the safety of the girl involved and also detain a suspect. Our enquiries are continuing at pace and as part of these we are releasing these images. While we know the images are grainy, we believe that those who personally know the man would be able to recognise him. I would encourage anyone with information on his identity to contact us, as we believe he will have important information which can help with our investigation."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/252881/21 or, alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form on their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-ano... .

Families have been left in shock and anger after being told that the residential care home, where their vulnerable adult children lived in Sittingbourne, was being closed down.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England, initially inspected Berkeley House, Lynsted Lane, on Wednesday 20th October. Following their visit they "imposed urgent conditions upon the service" and another follow-up visit was made on Thursday 28th October. At that visit the CQC say that they "followed [their] normal practice of giving feedback at the end of the visit". They say that they are still compiling their final report and will publish it once "the legal processes are completed". The CQC told SFM News that they "are aware that following this inspection the local authority made arrangements for all people to move out of the service".

Parents say that residents at Berkeley House, most of them with special needs requiring specialist around the clock care, were told at midday on Friday 29th October that they would need to move out by 5pm that day. Achieve Together, who ran the site, issued a Press Statement as follows: “We are clear that the provision delivered at Berkeley House fell way below the high standards that the people we support rightly expect and deserve, and that we know we can provide. We wholeheartedly apologise for this.

“The circumstances surrounding the closure of this service are extremely complex and unique, and involved numerous parties. However, we completely recognise the distress and concern that the speed and nature of this closure caused for the people and families involved, and the impact it has subsequently had.

“A thorough investigation is already underway to ensure all of the specific issues raised by the CQC and others are robustly addressed, and so that lessons can be learnt. These actions will be communicated with the people we support, their families, the local authority, CQC, and other relevant stakeholders, who we are continuing to work in close partnership with.”

The police helicopter, drone and dog unit successfully assisted officers from the Rural Task Force to locate a man who reportedly made off from police in Sittingbourne.

Officers were patrolling Chestnut Street, Borden shortly before 5pm on Saturday (20th November) when they noticed a suspicious vehicle. As it came to a stop the officers got out and approached the van at which point it is said the suspect vehicle rammed the police car four times. The driver then made off on foot into a nearby woods.

The police helicopter, drone and dog unit were used to search for the suspect and he was located nearby and arrested.

A man in his forties was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, dangerous driving, going equipped and assaulting an emergency worker.

He has been released on police bail pending further investigation.

Two burglars have been sentenced at court after they stole vehicles parked outside owners’ homes in Swale and Medway.

Between Saturday 26th June and Sunday 11th July, Jim Smith (left photo) and Benjamin Lee targeted high value cars by stealing the ignition keys, having gained access to the victims' addresses.

On the 26th June, the pair stole an Audi A4 parked on a driveway in Coombe Drive, Sittingbourne. They replaced the number plates with a set stolen from a similar vehicle and then drove to Iwade where they attempted to commit another burglary.

They then travelled to Gillingham and broke into a house before stealing a Mercedes CLA parked outside.

Three days later, on 29th June, Smith and Lee stole another Mercedes CLA from the driveway of a house in Minster-on-Sea. On 5th July, they also attempted to break into a BMW owner’s home in the same town.

They stole a further Mercedes in Sittingbourne overnight on 11th July and the following day, Lee was seen driving it on false number plates by a Kent Police patrol.

The officers followed the vehicle onto Lower Rainham Road where it failed to stop when the patrol activated its blue lights.

Lee, of Flanagan Avenue, Queenborough continued towards the Medway towns at speed, driving in an extremely dangerous manner and causing other vehicles to take evasive action to avoid a collision. He was arrested in Chatham when the vehicle had to stop in a queue of traffic.

Investigators from the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad identified that Smith, of Church Road, Murston was Lee’s accomplice, and he was arrested on Tuesday 13th July.

Detectives proved the two were responsible for the multiple break-ins and theft offences, and they were both charged with conspiracy to commit burglaries.

Lee was also charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

The pair, both aged 20, pleaded guilty to the indictments at Maidstone Crown Court. On Tuesday (16th November), Lee was sentenced to three years and nine months. Smith was sentenced to two years and six months, and both will initially serve their detention in a young offender institution. Lee was also disqualified from driving for 40 months.

Detective Sergeant Richard Taylor told SFM News: "These criminals violated several homes to steal car keys whilst the owners were asleep on the premises. They showed no regard for the impact their actions would have on the victims and, when pursued, Lee had scant concern for the dangers he posed to other road users. Their detention in a young offender institution is entirely appropriate."