Local News

New CCTV has been released by officers today (Tuesday 26th November) who are continuing to search for a man who was last seen in Sittingbourne one week ago.

Peter Henderson, 65, was last seen in the Pear Tree Walk area of Newington at 12.17am last Tuesday (19th November).

Following enquiries officers have released a CCTV image of Peter, which was captured in Pear Tree Walk and shows him heading north west towards Orchard Drive.

He is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, and has light grey combed over hair. He also has a grey short beard and wears glasses. In the CCTV he is believed to be carrying an orienteering map.

He is believed to be wearing a green raincoat, brown trousers and shoes and a grey backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 999 quoting 21-0434.

Swale Borough Council’s CCTV control centre, based in Sittingbourne, is expanding to become a national safety hub.

The council’s control centre monitors Swale’s public space CCTV cameras 24/7, 365 days a year and works closely with Kent Police to tackle crime and keep residents safe.

They have now partnered with Gravesham Borough Council and Faversham Town Council to monitor their Public Space CCTV cameras too, which will bring in additional resources and staff, as well as improve the control centres’ facilities. As part of this partnership, Swale’s Control Centre can provide Councils with cost-saving solutions, whilst ensuring their public space CCTV is actively monitored 24/7 365 days a year.

This is in addition to the public space CCTV cameras, the control centre also monitors for local parish councils, along with a number of commercial cameras for private contractual agreements.

Swale Borough Council also oversees Swale Link, a business crime reduction partnership, which gives local businesses who sign up a radio to communicate with the control centre and the police, allowing for quick coordinated responses whenever any incidents occurs.   

The benefits of the scheme were seen recently when the control centre supported the arrests of three people who forced their way into a phone store on Sittingbourne High Street to steal thousands of pounds of stock.  

There are currently more than 70 businesses signed up to the scheme, which uses a network of CCTV and instant communication to tackle thefts and other anti-social behaviour. Swale’s control centre is exploring monitoring other area’s CCTV networks, growing the network of cameras, and making tracking criminal’s movements over council borders far more efficient and effective. The control centre also offers a range of services from public space and commercial CCTV monitoring, access control, out of hours, and facilities management.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the Swale Borough Council's Community Committee, told SFM News: “We have assisted the police numerous times to bring people to justice, and help business stay safe, which is a testament to how capable and effective our control centre is. Growing the network of CCTV our control centre monitors not only funds improvements to our service, but also allows us to help Kent Police monitor, track and catch the people harming our community – even if they leave Swale." 

He went on to add: “We have just hit the milestone of over 70 partners across Swale signing up to Swale Link, demonstrating the immense value our service offers to our local businesses. To any potential thieves and criminals - just know that our CCTV control centre is keeping an eye on our businesses and residents to make sure they are safe, so if you commit a crime you will be caught.”  

Denise Knights, Enterprise Manager for Launch IT Charity, told SFM News: “Swale Link gives me and my business peace of mind and the feeling of security for the premises and those that work within it. The clients that work alongside me at the building, do so in the knowledge that they have real-time communication with the camera staff and police, should there be a need. Our insurance companies look favourably on this added service too. It is also important for when we have events knowing that there is always an eye on the building. This gives confidence to the attendees and knowledge that should anything go wrong they have access to the CCTV team and real-time communication with local police. I have used my radio to report fly tipping, criminal damage and ASB, all that were dealt with efficiently and to a desired outcome."

You can find out more about Swale Link by visiting:- https://swale.gov.uk/community-safety-and-emergencies/retailer-shop-radi...

The Highsted Park development, proposed by Quinn Estates, to the south and east of Sittingbourne has been "called in" by The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Swale Borough Council’s Planning Committee were due to decide on the application at a meeting at Swale House last night (Thursday 7th November), but the decision was “ripped out of its hands at the eleventh hour” as Swale BC confirmed it had been called-in by the government at short notice after a letter was received from them at 3:00pm.

In a statement Cllr Elliott Jayes, Vice Chair of the council’s Planning Committee, told SFM News: “The Secretary of State has called in the applications for land to the west of Teynham (21/503906/EIOUT) and land south and east of Sittingbourne (21/503914/EIOUT) and will now be determining them. We will work closely with the Secretary of State as they make their determination, but we will robustly explain the council’s reasons for recommending refusal. We understand the importance of these two applications but would appreciate being informed of the Secretary of State’s decision before less than three hours until the planning committee meeting so we can adequately prepare our response."

The Planning Committee meeting did go ahead, and members of the committee discussed the council’s response to the Secretary of State’s request for information and also unanimously voted to oppose both applications. Cllr Mike Baldock told the meeting "these plans have been ill thoughtout" with Cllr Monique Bonney adding "fundamental issues have never been addressed".

It is understood that the council’s vote does not mean the application was officially rejected. Instead, it will inform the case that they can make to an inquiry which would be similar to a planning committee, with representatives of developers, the council and local communities all making their case.

All documentation will now be sent to The Planning Inspectorate and there is a time limit of 22 weeks for them to complete an inquiry to report back to Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

At the current time it is not known if this inquiry will be held locally.

Last night's meeting can be watched in full on Swale Borough Council's You Tube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d8JNp3K3fQ 

A sex offender, who groomed a child online before meeting her in Swale, has been jailed.

Asif Mirza was caught with the victim inside his car after concerns were raised by an alert Kent Police employee.

Mirza initially contacted the victim through social media at the start of 2024 and showed sympathy when she disclosed some personal issues that concerned her. Having gained the girl’s trust Mirza pressured her to send him some indecent images.

They agreed to meet at a park in Sittingbourne on Friday 2nd August and, when the victim felt unwell, he encouraged her to sit in the rear of his car which was parked in Avenue of Remembrance. Mirza then covered the windows to obscure the view of anyone walking past and committed an indecent act in the girl’s presence.

At this point a member of police staff walked past the vehicle and thought it appeared suspicious. Officers were called to the scene and, after knocking on the car windows, Mirza got out followed by the child. He claimed she was his step-daughter but, when he was unable to give her full name, Mirza admitted they had met online and he was arrested.

Mirza, of Hubbards Close, Uxbridge, London, was later charged. At Maidstone Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to several offences including meeting a child following sexual grooming and sexual activity with a child. On Tuesday (5th November), the 43-year-old was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Lucas Melella, told SFM News: "Mirza contacted a vulnerable child online and gained her trust by appearing to be a kind and sympathetic person. He then moved on to gaining indecent images and arranged to meet the victim for his own sexual gratification. Fortunately an alert Kent Police employee thought his car appeared suspicious and ensured this predator was swiftly detained while officers safeguarded the victim".

DC Melella went on to add: "This case also acts as a reminder to parents of children who have mobile phones and tablets to speak to them and help them understand the precautions they should take when using the internet, or the many instant messaging services that are available. Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police."