Local News

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a bedroom fire at a house in Samuel Drive, in Kemsley last night (Monday 31st May).
 
Three fire engines attended at around 6:00pm and crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets and water from a hydrant to extinguish the flames, before using a high pressured fan to clear the home of smoke. 
 
No casualties were reported. 
 
It’s believed the fire was electrical and was started accidentally.

Gordon Henderson MP has welcomed ultrafast broadband being introduced to thousands of additional properties here in Sittingbourne and on the Isle Of Sheppey.

Today’s (Friday 28th May) announcement by Openreach shows it intends to rollout ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband to 8,320 premises in the constituency and is part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to connect three million homes and businesses in some of the UK’s hardest to serve communities.

The figure is in addition to existing coverage and what it is already planned from other Openreach programmes, Community Fibre Partnerships or funded schemes creating 7,000 new jobs across the network.

Mr Henderson told SFM News: “Being able to connect to the internet is a modern day essential and I am delighted Openreach has shown its continued commitment to connecting some of the most remote communities. Businesses and homes are more reliant on the web than ever before and it is encouraging to know more people in my constituency will be able to benefit from the positives of getting online sooner, whether by streaming, selling products or accessing services. In a time where many more people will be working from home, I think it is extremely encouraging to know people will be better off as a result of this initiative. This move will help to level up those in the most disadvantaged areas and give them the equal opportunities which are so important in 2021.”

A study from the Centre for Business and Economic Research shows the national rollout could enable a million people to access or return to employment through flexible working. It will also help to cut emissions by reducing the need for commuter journeys as well as boost rural economies.

Openreach is working on timings for when the project will begin in the area.

Kent Police's Serious Collision Unit investigators are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist died in Sittingbourne last night (Wednesday 12th May).

The fatal road collision happened at around 9.44pm on Swale Way when a Honda CBR1000 motorbike collided with a blue Citroen C4 Picasso.

The driver of the motorbike, a 26-year-old man from Whitstable, was riding along the road when the two vehicles collided near the entrance of Milton Creek fishing lakes and Swale Way. 

Following the incident the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene and the pillion passenger was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, not believed to be life threatening.

Three men aged 18, 23 and 32 years old and all from Sittingbourne, have each been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A woman, aged 34, from Sittingbourne, has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the cause of justice. All four people remain in custody while enquiries continue.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are keen to talk to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who saw the car in the moments prior to the collision.

In particular, officers would like to talk to anyone who was at the Milton Creek fishing lakes who may have information about the occupants of the car.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage which could assist officers with their investigation is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.

Footage, photos and CCTV can also be directly submitted online via this link or emailed to sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting ref: CM/DH/042/21.

Conservative candidate, Matthew Scott, has held onto the position of Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent. 

He beat Labour’s Lola Oyewusi and the Liberal Democrat’s Graham Colley, with 56% of the vote. 

This will be Mr Scott’s second term as the PCC for the county, having been elected in 2016.   The results, declared this lunchtime (Monday 10th May) in Dartford were:

Matthew Scott (Conservative): 237,278
Lola Oyewusi (Labour): 103,807
Graham Colley (Lib Dem): 69,464

There were 420,422 votes cast, with 9873 spoilt papers.

Turnout was 31.8%

Mr Scott told SFM News that he reiterated his commitment to making Kent safer and recruiting more police officers.  Since 2016 there are nearly 800 more police officers in the county and he hopes to see the total number rise to 3,970 by March 2022.