Local News

Eight men have been arrested, in connection with the supply of heroin and cocaine, on the Isle of Sheppey and bailed pending further enquiries.

Officers from Kent Police's Operation Jupiter team executed search warrants in both New Street and Queensway in Sheerness last Wednesday (4th May). The warrants were linked to an investigation into an organised crime network with links to Liverpool.

The suspects were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The men, aged between 22 and 36, have now all been bailed until Tuesday 30th August.

Detective Inspector Kevin Downard told SFM News: "The arrests and search warrants are a direct result of months of intelligence led policing, alongside the Operation Jupiter team. Our efforts to combat drugs throughout north Kent continue and I am confident these actions send strong message to criminals. Those responsible for the misery and destruction of lives connected to the supply of class A drugs will be arrested, charged and put before the courts."

At the Swale Borough Council Planning Committee last night (Thursday 28th April) permanent planning consent was given to Kent Speedway at Central Park Stadium, meaning that the sport can now carry on indefinitely at the Stadium. *** UPDATES TO FOLLOW ***

Sittingbourne fire crews have issued a safety warning following a flat fire this morning (Friday 15th April) believed to have been started by a cigarette.

Firefighters from Sittingbourne and Faversham were called to the blaze at a first floor flat in Hawthorn Road, just after 9am. Crews were alerted to the fire after a neighbour heard the alarms sounding, saw smoke and dialled 999. The first crew arrived at the property within two and a half minutes of receiving the emergency call to find all but one of the nine flats in the building had been evacuated.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA) went into the building, while other crew members pitched a 10m ladder to the second floor flat and Sittingbourne Watch Manager, Neil Ryder, climbed up to speak to a woman trapped in her home due to the heavy smoked-logging in the communal stairway.

Neil told SFM News: "I asked her to stay away from the front door, to close the door of the room she was in and put something along the bottom of it to stop smoke getting in such as clothes, cushions or bedding. Also to open and stay by the window to allow fresh air in and that as soon as the fire was dealt with we would come and get her."

Meanwhile, the BA team extinguished the fire using a high pressure hose reel, then cleared smoke and fumes from the property with a positive pressure ventilation fan. The woman, thought to be in her 30's was then brought to safety.

The fire is believed to have been caused after the occupant of the first floor flat fell asleep while smoking. The fire caused damage to a sofa and surrounding items as well as severe smoke damage.

Neil added: "Fortunately the man woke when he did as the smoke alarm in his flat wasn't working. The alarms in the rest of the property all sounded giving other occupants the early warning needed. However, this fire highlights the serious consequences of not extinguishing cigarettes properly. People need to be aware of the risks of smoking in the home and how easily this leads to fires. If you choose to smoke indoors, please make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly and that you have a working smoke alarm."

Fire crews will be visiting neighbouring properties today to provide free home safety advice but if you or someone you know would benefit from free fire safety advice or a home safety visit from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, email: enquiries@kent.fire-uk.org or you can call 01622 692 121.

A security guard from Sittingbourne has won more than £12,000 in the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance's lottery.

Nigel Long, who works on the Sittingbourne Retail Park, signed up to the life-saving charity's regular Lottery and Superdraw when a canvasser called at his home last year.

The 61-year-old father-of-three thought nothing more of his £8-a-month subscription until he received a call telling them he had won the top prize in Wednesday's (6th April) draw. He won a grand total of £12,015.54 with random lucky numbers 3, 19, 20 and 28 after joining the lottery last June and is now planning a holiday to Canada to see his brother.

Nigel told SFM News: "I was very shocked to win, I phoned my wife immediately and she couldn't believe it. The most I've won before was about £70 when the National Lottery started. I support the air ambulance because we never know when we may need it in the future. I was at work once when a child got hit by a car on the main road and I helped clear one of the car parks for the helicopter to land."

Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance's Regular Lottery costs just £1 per week and there are 12 winners drawn each week with prizes ranging from £25 to £1,000. For an extra £1 a week, players can join the Superdraw which has a maximum jackpot of £25,000. To join the lottery go to www.kssairambulance.org.uk/lottery or call 01622 833833.