Local News

Officers investigating a courier fraud in Sittingbourne have arrested a 22-year-old man from London and a local 26-year-old-woman.

A woman in her nineties reported that she had received a call from someone claiming to be a police officer who told her that her debit card had been compromised. She alleged she was told to put her debit card in an envelope. The caller then asked if she had any valuables in the house and that these would also be safer at New Scotland Yard.

The woman placed approximately £20,000 worth of jewellery in a bag with her debit card and left it outside her front door for an officer to collect. A few days later she then claims to have received another call from the officer and was asked to authorise two payments as part of the investigation. These transactions totalled nearly £4000.

Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur, of Kent Police, told SFM News: "criminals who commit courier fraud offences prey on the most vulnerable members of society and care little if their victims are left penniless as a result of the lies that are spun. We are keen to ensure people know how to spot the signs of a fraudulent phone call so their finances and valuables are not put at risk. I would encourage friends and family members to pass on fraud prevention advice to help protect residents who may not be aware of this type of scam."

Kent Police advise that to protect yourself against courier fraud, by remembering:

• The police or your bank will never send a courier to your home to collect your bank card or other items and will never ask for cash, valuables, or your PIN.
• If you receive one of these calls end it immediately without providing any information.
• If you wish to call your bank use a number known to you, not one provided by the caller. Call from another phone, or call a friend first to ensure the offenders have been disconnected from your line.
• If you've handed over any personal bank details to the fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately.

A Belgian pilot has appeared in court charged with dropping barrels of cocaine from a light aircraft into the Kent countryside.

Rudi Sels, 65, from Balen near Antwerp, was arrested by officers from the Belgian National Police on Friday 20th October.

Sels was subject of a European Arrest Warrant requested by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of their investigation into an incident in June 2016, which led to the recovery of 31 kilos of cocaine with a potential street value of £2.5m from a builders yard in Faversham.

Three men had previously been jailed for a total of 38 years in January this year for their roles in the importation.

Following his extradition from Belgium, Sels appeared before Crawley Magistrates yesterday (Tuesday 31st October) charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs into the UK.

He was remanded in custody until his next appearance at the Old Bailey in London on Tuesday 28th November.

Detectives investigating three robberies in Sittingbourne have charged a 24-year-old man in connection with one of the incidents.

Lawrence Heathfield, aged 24 and of Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne, has been charged with one count of robbery and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The robbery relates to an incident in Bell Road just after midnight on Saturday 21st October where the victim, aged 21, reported being robbed of his phone and wallet by two men as he was walking home from a night out.

A second man, aged 27 and also from Sittingbourne, was also arrested in connection with the incident and has been released pending further investigations.

Officers are continuing to investigate two other robberies, with one incident reported to have happened in Milton Road at around 2.30am on Sunday (22nd October) where the victim, aged 18, was approached by two men.

The men are reported to have stamped on the man's head before attempting to take his bag before they fled empty handed.

Officers are also investigating a robbery reported on Tuesday 17th October in which a taxi driver reported being robbed at around 11pm in Chappell Way after a man is alleged to have got into his cab and then stolen a quantity of cash before fleeing the scene.

Lawrence Heathfield has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Medway Magistrates' Court on today (Wednesday 25th October).

A local 18-year-old football player is attracting Premier League interest in recent days.

Sittingbourne FC player Lex Allan, who lives on the Isle of Sheppey, is being tracked by top clubs Crystal Palace and Millwall.

Sittingbourne FC Secretary, John Pitts, told SFM News: "Lex is an excellent defender. He has such a great ability for his age"

Lex has also been attracting other rave reviews from the six matches that he has played for Sittingbourne.

There has also been wider interest in Sittingbourne FC's squad from Reading FC and even Aston Villa have been scouting the club.

John added: "The eye for talent that the managers, Tony Cornwell and Nick Davis, bring has allowed the team to excel this season."

The central defender's success comes just days after Sittingbourne FC beat Herne Bay and landed themselves top of the Bostik South League table for the first time in 20 years.