Local News

The opening of Sittingbourne's new Mill Skatepark, originally penned for October 2019, has been delayed yet again.

The 570-square metre site, at a cost of £240,000, still needs some landscaping and street furniture around the peripherals and SFM News believes that there is also currently a 'dispute' over a strip of land adjacent to the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway lines.

The running of the site will be under the auspices of Brogdale CIC when it opens later this year.

Business owners are being reminded to ensure valuable items are securely stored if being left overnight, following a number of burglaries on a Sittingbourne trading estate.

Kent Police received reports of three break-ins to commercial premises on the Trinity Trading Estate at around 2am on Wednesday (18th December) morning. Computer equipment, cash and vehicle keys were reported stolen.

Sergeant Jason Hedges, of the Swale Community Safety Unit, told SFM News: "Some businesses cease trading over the Christmas period and thieves can see this as an opportunity to target the premises. We would like to remind business owners to review their safety measures and to ensure large amounts of money or valuables are either securely stored or are not left on-site. Keep the building secure and consider installing CCTV, alarms and security lighting. Any business owners who have concerns about their security can contact our Community Safety Unit for advice on staying safe."

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference 46/240261/19. Alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers free and anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using the anonymous online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org.

A man has been prosecuted after garage parts, wood, a hanging basket, roofing felt, broken up cabinets, furniture items and cardboard boxes were dumped along Ridham Dock Road last year.

Officers from Swale Borough Council investigated the fly tipping and were able to trace the waste to a Chatham resident. When she was visited by the council, she discovered she had been the unsuspecting victim of an unlawful waste carrier.

The woman had enlisted the help of RM House and Rubbish Clearance via Facebook to clear her home of unwanted items. She admitted she had no idea the person driving did not hold the correct license to dispose of her waste.

The items were collected by a man driving a distinctive yellow flatbed truck owned by Mr Ryan Millard, aged 24, from Hale in Chatham.

Mr Millard claimed he shared the truck with a friend and had no knowledge of it being used for illegal fly tipping. When asked however, he was unable to provide any personal details that would lead investigators to his friend.

Despite his account, as the person with control of the truck, Mr Millard is deemed to be responsible for the crime and was taken to court.

Mr Millard attended Medway Magistrates Court on Thursday 21st November and plead guilty to knowingly causing the illegal deposit of waste, receiving a £533 fine with £53 victim surcharge and £205 court costs.

A council spokesperson told SFM News: "Fly tipping is a criminal offence and something we take very seriously, so we're happy with the outcome of this case. Anybody caught having any involvement in the disposal of waste without a valid waste carrier license will be prosecuted. We do want to remind people that anybody disposing of household items has to have a valid waste carrier licence. If you don't check, and your waste is dumped, you could be prosecuted. Always ask for a receipt and be cautious of waste collectors who will only accept cash. Not only is fly tipping unsafe, but it is a risk to wildlife, and it makes the borough an eyesore for everybody who lives here."

To check whether someone is licenced to carry waste visit the Environment Agency website or call 03708 506506.

For more information about fly-tipping, and what the council is doing to tackle it, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/fly-tipping.

Witnesses are being sought by officers after a man was assaulted in Sittingbourne High Street ast week.

At around 7.30pm last Thursday (24th October) it was reported that the victim was walking along the High Street from the direction of East Street. As he walked past the graveyard, he was approached by a group of young men. One of the group jumped on the victim and they both fell to the floor. Whilst on the ground the victim was allegedly kicked in the face and hit in the head with a traffic cone sustaining facial injuries.

Following enquiries, a 20-year-old man from Sittingbourne was arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. He was later released pending further investigations.

Officer in charge of the investigation, PC Elliot told SFM News: "We believe there may be multiple witnesses to this incident, however, they have not yet come forward".

Anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or has any information, is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference 46/204776/19. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Kent Crimestoppers free and anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using their anonymous online form at: Crimestoppers-uk.org.