Local News

Two men have been charged in connection with the alleged removal of items from a sunken Royal Navy warship in the English Channel.

HMS Hermes was a protected cruiser built in the late 19th century and converted into an aircraft ferry and depot ship ready for the outbreak of the First World War.

It was sunk by a German submarine in the Dover Strait in October 1914 with the loss of 44 lives.

Officers from Kent Police's Rural Task Force launched an investigation in August 2015 after being informed that a number of historical artefacts had been reported missing from the wreck.

John Blight, 57, of Old River Way in Winchelsea, East Sussex, has now been charged with three counts of dishonestly failing to disclose items of wreck to the Receiver of Wreck with intent to make a gain.

Nigel Ingram, 56, of London Road, Teynham, has been charged with the same three counts in addition to being in possession of £16,000 worth of criminal property.

Both men have been bailed to appear before Margate Magistrates on Thursday 2nd March.

The investigation into the alleged offences was carried out in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, the Receiver of Wreck, Sussex Police, Historic England and the French authorities.

North Street, in Milton Regis, was closed earlier today (Tuesday 24th January) in both directions at the junction with Milton High Street and Vicarage Road, following an incident where a car hit a house on Hawkins Close.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police told SFM News "[we] called at around 9.00am this morning after it was reported that a car had been involved in a collision with a house. Police officers and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched to the scene in North Street, Milton Regis."

There were no reported injuries and it is believed that a structural engineer has been called in to assess the damage.

Local motorists are being warned that the M2 will be closed both ways between Junction 5 (Sittingbourne) and Junction 6 (Faversham) junctions during this weekend.

The motorway will closed for carriageway strengthening between 8pm and 6am on Saturday (14th January), Sunday (15th January) and Monday (16th January).

For more information please see: roads.highways.gov.uk/.

Kent Police are reminding motorists to lock their cars and remove valuables after receiving several reports of theft from vehicles in Kemsley.

Between 5.30am and 6am on Tuesday (3rd January) Kent Police received reports of theft of property including clothing and tools from five cars in Beauvoir Drive.

Police would like to speak to a man who was reported to have been trying car door handles in the road at the time before running off. He is described as white, aged between 15 and 25 years old, 5ft 8in, of medium build and wearing a blue bomber jacket, and dark trousers.

Over the same night cars it was reported that items including a satellite navigation device were stolen from cars in Meteor Close, Pastime Close and Merleburgh Drive.

At present no arrests have been made however enquiries into these reports are on-going.

Inspector Gavin Wade, from Kent Police, told SFM News: "There are a number of steps which can be taken to help prevent items being stolen from motor vehicles. Please ensure vehicles are locked securely. Remote locking with a car key should be double-checked to ensure it has worked. Remove all valuables from vehicles, including tools, satellite navigation devices, mobile phones and any other items which may be attractive to thieves. Have valuables security marked so it makes them harder to sell on if they are stolen.'

Further details are available by following this link on the Kent police website: www.kent.police.uk/advice/theft/car-and-large-vehicle-theft/

Anyone with any information about thefts in their area can report them by calling Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference number XY/439/17 or, alternatively, they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.