Local News

A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) has been imposed on a repeat offender who stole from shops and committed anti-social behaviour in Sheerness. 

Michael Wickham, 42, of Crown Quay Lane here in Sittingbourne, has been handed the two-year order for continued nuisance behaviour in the town. 

The order bans him from entering Sheerness High Street and prevents him from loitering or remaining in any place within the boundary of the high street which includes Trinity Road, A250 Millennium Way and Victory Street. He is also ordered to ensure he leaves any premise when directed by police, PCSOs or anyone acting in a lawful capacity. He must also not be found drunk in any public place in Sittingbourne, Faversham or the Isle of Sheppey.

The CBO was issued as part of a sentencing on Thursday 14th October where he was jailed for seven days and handed the CBO. The hearing took place at Medway Magistrates’ Court in connection with two shop thefts after he was charged with stealing alcohol from Morrisons Supermarket in Thomsett Way, Queenborough on 24th May and at Tesco in Bridge Road, Sheerness.

PC Jamie Spencer of the Swale Community Safety Unit, told SFM News: "Mr Wickham is a prolific offender who is responsible for repeat criminality in the town which causes a lot of stress and anxiety to those living and working in and around the area. If he breaches this CBO he could face imprisonment of up to five years."

The Leader of Swale Council, Cllr Roger Truelove (Labour) is urging the government to introduce public health measures to deal with the winter threat of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses as soon as possible.

Speaking to SFM News Cllr Roger Truelove said: “Though Swale is now one of the least infected parts of the country, rates are rising, across the country deaths are too high and there is growing pressure on the NHS, which risks other serious acute conditions being delayed for treatment. We all understand that there is a balance to be found with the economy and individual hopes of normality, but there are measures that ought to be introduced that do not affect these considerations to the same extent that growing rates of illness will do. It is no good government just saying “get your booster. There is a strong body of opinion that there has been too much delay hitherto, especially at this time last year. I do not understand the motive for this, especially when both public health and scientific advice is calling for urgency.”

Whilst we still navigate our way through the pandemic, Swale Borough Council will this year deliver a scaled back Civic Service of Remembrance at the Sittingbourne War Memorial on Sunday 14th November.

Individuals and organisations wishing to attend the service are asked to arrive by 10.45am and gather in the vicinity of the War Memorial and in Central Avenue car park, which will be closed all morning for the service.

Alternative parking, which will be free in all Council car parks on Remembrance Sunday, is available nearby in Albany Road, Swallows Leisure Centre and other town centre car parks.

The Mayor of Swale Cllr Paul Stephen will be supported by Reverend David Ridley, Team Vicar for St Michaels Church Sittingbourne and Reader Mrs Pat Tatchell, Benefice of Tunstall and Bredgar together with the Salvation Army (Sittingbourne Corp).

Service and community organisations are asked to minimise the number of representatives attending to manage the risks arising from the pandemic.

There will be an opportunity for all to lay wreaths and personal tributes at the end of the formal service but there will be no parade.

A road closure will be in place on Central Avenue from the police station down to the High Street from 9:00am onwards, to prepare for the service, and it will re-open at 12:00 noon, once the service has ended.

Increased local patrols are taking place after bricks are reported to have been thrown at motorists from bridges.

Last Sunday (3rd October), at around 5.40pm, officers received three reports of vehicles travelling on the M2, below the Sawpit Road bridge (pictured), having their windscreens and windows damaged. On this occasion, witnesses have not reported seeing anyone on the bridge.

At around 4.41pm on Wednesday (6th October), two further reports were received and on this occasion witnesses said that they had seen a man throwing bricks from Ruins Barn Road, Sittingbourne, into the path of lorries. One lorry driver’s window was smashed.

Kent Police told SFM News: "Enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and anyone with information, or dash cam footage that captures the offending, is asked to contact Kent Police". 

Chief Inspector Joel Mitchell, Kent Police’s District Commander for Swale, told SFM News: "These reports are really concerning, and this type of behaviour is very reckless and has the potential to cause fatalities.  Not only can those responsible cause serious injuries to innocent people but they also risk obtaining a potential prison sentence. Anyone with information about the incidents can call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/197053/21."

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete an online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org