Local News

Rural crime investigators are appealing for information after two sheep were killed in a field in Newington.

The livestock were found dead in Church Lane on the night of Sunday 8th and Monday 9th August 2021.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw, from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, told SFM News: "The two sheep concerned had been butchered by a person, or persons, with expertise in removing meat from a carcass and this this is naturally a distressing incident for the people who reared the animals. Fortunately, incidents of this nature are relatively rare however we do know that farm animals can be seen as a target for thieves. We are fully aware of the impact offending of this nature has on farmers and will always review all reasonable lines of enquiry. I’d also encourage members of the public, particularly people living in rural communities, to be wary of this type of offending and to contact us if they have any suspicions."

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 46/144168/21 or, alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers free and anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to reports of two people stuck in mud on Conyer Wharf in Sittingbourne earlier this afternoon (Sunday 8th August).

Three fire engines and a Water Safety Unit were sent to the scene, and crews wearing dry suits used a throw line to access the casualties, before towing them to safety in a dinghy.

They were then passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance. Kent Police and the Coastguard was also in attendance.

Following the incident, crews are reminding people to be aware of tide times by rivers and the coast, and to be careful in muddy areas, since it can be easy to become stuck. You should also always bring a mobile phone out with you, so that you can call for help if you're in an emergency.

Individuals involved in anti-social behaviour are the target of a Kent Police dispersal order, which is being enforced in the Murston and Great Easthall areas of town.

Across July and the beginning of August, Police have received reports of young people verbally abusing members of the public and shop staff in the Murston Road, Church Road and Harkness Court areas.

It is also reported that teenagers have been seen poorly riding quadbikes and mopeds, in addition to swimming in a lake off Mulberry Way.

The dispersal order gives officers the power to move on any individual who they suspect is involved, or likely to become involved in, nuisance behaviour. It also gives patrols the power to escort anyone under the age of 18 home. 

The order will remain in place until Friday 6th August and failure to comply with an instruction to leave the area is an offence that risks arrest.

Inspector Joel Mitchell, from the Swale Community Safety Unit, told SFM News: ‘After what has been a very disruptive year, we fully understand why people want to enjoy the summer months but that cannot be to the detriment of the wider community. Since the beginning of the school holidays, we have already received 11 reports of nuisance and abusive behaviour in this particular area and that cannot be allowed to continue. Our officers will regularly be patrolling the Murston and Great Easthall areas and will not hesitate to take proportionate action on anyone who exercises a disregard for the wellbeing and wishes of the surrounding community. I also encourage anyone affected by such behaviour to make a report, either through our website or by calling 101. This will help us continue to monitor the problem and determine any future courses of action."

Speeding motorists will be targeted by Kent Police as part of a two week national campaign aimed at reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads.

Between Monday 26th July and Sunday 8th August 2021, Kent Police and other forces across the country will be supporting an operation led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council to educate and enforce the law against those who speed and place other road users at risk.

Kent Police say that "speeding is one of the ‘fatal factors’ that contribute to the highest number of road collisions resulting in deaths and serious injuries, along with not wearing a seatbelt, driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, and using a mobile phone or other electronic device at the wheel".

The traffic operation here in Kent will see officers from the Road Safety Unit supported by other roads policing colleagues and volunteers from the Special Constabulary visit speeding hotspots across the county. The Safety Camera Team will also be deployed to existing authorised locations to provide a visible deterrent to anyone considering driving over the limit.

Meanwhile, Community Speedwatch volunteers will also be taking part in the operation at approved sites across Kent with 20, 30 and 40mph speed limits. Community Speedwatch is an educational alternative to enforcement, with warning letters sent to registered owners of vehicles caught exceeding the limit.

The last national speeding operation was held in April 2020 when around 10,800 speeding offences were recorded in Kent including more than 500 that were serious enough to warrant a court appearance.

Chief Inspector Elena Hall, Head of Roads Policing at Kent Police, told SFM News: "Whilst the vast majority of motorists drive in a safe and responsible manner on a daily basis, there are still too many travelling at unacceptable speeds who put themselves and other road users in harm’s way. Motor vehicles are potentially lethal weapons and the faster your speed, the less time you have to react to unforeseen hazards or mistakes from other drivers and the greater the impact any collision may be – making it more likely that you or someone else will be killed or seriously injured. We therefore will not hesitate to take enforcement action against anyone caught driving in such a reckless manner, not only during the course of this national operation but every day when our officers are on patrol. Road safety is a shared responsibility and we work regularly with our partners including Kent County Council, Medway Council and Highways England to help educate all motorists about the best way to ensure we all reach our destinations safely."