Local News

Waste Carriers have been targeted as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping.

Swale Borough Council teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to carry out enquiries, arrest people suspected of fly tipping, seize vehicles and collate evidence with a view to prosecuting offenders for waste related crimes.

Outcomes from the day were:

• 9 vehicles stopped and searched
• 4 Fixed Penalty Notices issued
• 1 vehicle seized

Cllr Julian Saunders, cabinet member for environment at the council, told SFM News: “We had a successful day of action on Tuesday (29th March) to crackdown on fly tipping. Our officers drove around Swale with Kent Police pulling over vehicles carrying waste to ensure the drivers had the correct waste carrier license and transfer notes. They stopped nine vehicles, issued four FPNs and the police seized a vehicle that didn’t have any road tax. Of the nine vehicles pulled over, three of them were issued FPNs for not having the correct waste carrier license and transfer notes for the waste they were carrying which is unacceptable".

Cllr Saunders went on to add: “It is the waste carrier’s responsibility to have the correct license to carry waste and maintain the right documents for each load, but it is also the responsibility of any residents and businesses using these unlicensed waste carriers. When they come to collect your household waste, you must check that they have the correct license and intend to dispose of it responsibly. We don’t want it dumped along our country lanes and seaside towns. If evidence is found that leads back to you, you can receive an on the spot fine of up to £400, so always ask to see a waste carriers license before using them. We’re cracking down on fly tipping and will make an example of anyone we find to be carrying waste illegally.”

It's believed that more and more of these action dayswill be taking place across the county. The council told SFM News "there is a tremendous amount of preparation taking place ahead of these days, including the gathering of vital intelligence to support the Council’s Enforcement team with their duties".

What can you do to dispose of your waste responsibly?

Fly tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble or garden waste. However, these unlicensed waste carriers often simply dump the waste where ever they can get away with it, including in Kent’s country lanes. Householders or small businesses found to be using criminals to dispose of their waste can and are being prosecuted by local authorities in Kent with fixed penalty notices that go up to £400 per offence.  Failure to pay such an FPN may result in court action where fines can be significantly larger.

To prevent this, householders should check whether someone is licenced to carry waste by visiting the Environment Agency website below, or alternatively call 03708 506506. It also helps if householders receive a written receipt or transfer note, including contact details, description of waste removed and details of where the waste is being taken to.

https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

The 13 Kent councils, along with Kent Police, are working in partnership to Keep Kent Clean. To keep updated with the councils’ efforts to tackle fly tipping and littering, follow #KeepKentClean or visit their website: https://swale.gov.uk/bins-littering-and-the-environment .

Swale Police officers, investigating a report of an attempted theft from a pensioner in Sittingbourne, have released a CCTV image.

At around 10am on Tuesday 8th March an elderly man withdrew a quantity of cash from a High Street bank.

He walked to his car which was parked in St Michael’s Road and placed the money inside.

At this point it is alleged a man approached the victim and told him he had a flat tyre.

While the victim was distracted a woman is reported to have attempted to steal the money, but was foiled when the victim became suspicious.

Investigating officer, PC Alison Honess-Crawley told SFM News: ‘It is thought the two suspects may have followed the pensioner from the bank and it is fortunate they were prevented in their efforts to steal his money. We have been making enquiries into the incident and are now releasing an image of a man who may be able to assist with our enquiries.".

Anyone who recognises the man, or has additional information, is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419 419, quoting crime reference 46/43987/22 or, alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or using their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-ano... .

A suspected burglar has appeared in court charged with a break-in at a Sittingbourne house.

In the early hours of Sunday 13th March a victim, in Bassett Road, reported that they had disturbed a man who had targeted their property.

Officers attended the scene where the suspect had left prior to their arrival.

Enquiries were made into available CCTV footage in the area and yesterday (Tuesday 22nd March) a man was arrested.

John Brazil, of Castle Rough Lane, Kemsley was later charged with burglary.

The 46-year-old appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court earlier today (Wednesday 23rd March) and was remanded in custody for a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 20th April.

A man who repeatedly stamped on his former partner’s head during a violent assault near Rochester has been jailed.

Aaron Boon also pulled a clump of hair from his victim, during a sustained ordeal which was witnessed by two young children.

Boon, aged 29, carried out the assault on the evening of 29 November 2021, after an argument with his victim had spilled into a communal area outside a flat where she lived. After pulling her hair, he pushed the woman to the floor as she shouted for help from neighbours. He continued the assault in the presence of children stamping on her head at least six times.

Boon then left the scene after taking the victim’s watch and £20. He returned shortly after and in an effort to get back inside the flat caused damage to a front door. When police attended Boon violently shoved a female officer causing her to almost fall down a flight of stairs. He also elbowed her head. He then kicked, punched and bit a male colleague, before being successfully restrained and arrested. 

At Woolwich Crown Court, Boon pleaded guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of assault of an emergency worker. He further admitted charges of criminal damage and possessing cannabis. The court heard Boon, previously from Kemsley, had also breached a previous suspended sentence and on Thursday 3 March 2022, he was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment.

PC Sophie Marshall, of the North Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, told SFM News: "I would like to thank and commend the victim, who has shown immense courage and strength to give evidence, having also endured previous physical and mental abuse from Boon. Thankfully, she was not left with any serious long-term injuries, however Boon’s actions will no doubt leave profound psychological scars and have also caused a huge amount of distress to her children. The victim’s continued support in this case as well as her children’s bravery should be recognised and acknowledged and provide other victims of assault the courage to support a police investigation. Domestic violence is a priority for Kent Police and nobody should ever feel they have nowhere to turn. I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation or relationship to report it to someone and get help. There is a range of support and information available, just phone us or ask a trusted friend or relative to do it. Nobody should ever feel they don’t have the option to walk away or get help."