Local News

Kent Police have put in place a Dispersal Order covering Sittingbourne town centre across this weekend.

It's been issued after concerns from residents and business owners over recent incidents of antisocial behaviour throughout the area.

The enforcement earlier today (Friday 9th August) at 2pm and will run until 10pm on Sunday (11th August) night and covers the High Street, East Street, Roman Square, The Avenue of Remembrance, William Street, Grafton Road, The Butts, the entire section of the A2 that passes through the town along with Milton Road and Fountain Street.

The dispersal order gives Kent Police officers additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and if necessary arrest those who return to the area after being spoken to.

Inspector Vanessa Foster, of The Swale Community Safety Partnership, told SFM News “We are committed to ensuring residents and visitors feel safe when out and about and we will not tolerate intimidating or disorderly behaviour. Officers will be patrolling the area and anyone found causing a nuisance will be required to leave. Any that choose to return once dispersed can expect to be detained.”

If you see any instances of antisocial behaviour you can report directly online via the Kent Police website or, a crime is in progress, call 999.

The GMB union has confirmed to SFM News that is has "begun the process of asking its members who are employed by Suez in Swale and Ashford whether or not to take industrial action".

The ballot is due to a pay disparoty between staff in both Swale and Ashford over Maidstone. Loaders in Swale and Ashford receive £12 per hour and Drivers £15 whilst in Maidstone it's £13 and £17 per hour respectively,

Members are being balloted between now and Monday 19th August. 

In a Statement Frank Macklin, the GMB regional organiser, told SFM News: “GMB has been tackling low pay in the refuse industry for years but is finding it like painting the Forth Bridge – as soon as it appears sorted, we have to go back to where we began and start over. These companies continue to squeeze their employees dry to maximise the dividends they can pay to their shareholders. These workers carry out the same duties and should therefore receive the same pay across the contract, whether it's in Swale, Ashford or Maidstone."

News of the strike vote came after a heated full Council Meeting at Swale House on Wednesday 24th July) when councillors were told that there had been almost 500,000 visits from the public to Swale Borough Council online Bin Day Look-up tool.

It is believed that Suez is now having to pay “punishment” fines to the three councils concerned, for the lack of service following a three-month grace period since taking over the £152 million Mid-Kent Waste Partnership contract on Monday 25th March.

Officers investigating reports of shoplifting in the Swale and Canterbury districts have issued images of two people they would like to identify.

Kent Police is looking into five reports of theft where a large quantity of medication was stolen from stores. Two shops in Sittingbourne reported thefts during the afternoon Saturday 22nd June 2024, in Gadby Road and Eurolink Way.

A further three thefts were reported to have taken place on Tuesday 25th June; from two stores - one in Herne Bay and another in Whitstable.

Officers have released images of a man and a woman they would like to speak to, as they may have information which could assist the investigation.

Anyone who can identify the two pictured, or has information regarding any of the five thefts, should contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/107288/24.

Alternatively ou can also call Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form 

Pictured: The Mayor of Swale Cllr Ben Martin - pic courtesty of Ian Morris

Locals were giving tennis a try, ahead of the Wimbledon finals on Saturday (13th July), at the newly refurbished tennis courts in Milton Recreation Ground at a free launch event.

The courts have been fully refurbished thanks to a partnership between Swale Borough Council and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) which included the installation of new nets and a full resurfacing and repainting of the courts.  Fences and gate access technology has also been installed to make it easier for players to find, book and get on the courts, whilst helping maintain their new high standards for future generations.

These refurbishments were thanks to a £124,578.54 investment by the UK government and the LTA Tennis Foundation, and an additional injection of £32,413 from the council. The park tennis courts at King George V Playing Fields in Sittingbourne also went through extensive improvement works. 

The investment forms part of the LTA’s Park Tennis Project, through which thousands of tennis courts across Great Britain are being transformed for the benefit of local communities, as part of a £30 million investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation. 

The LTA and Swale Borough Council will work together to offer free tennis sessions providing regular opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and play. This will include weekly free tennis sessions, organised by volunteers, with equipment being provided.  Local Tennis Leagues will also be setup to give people the opportunity to get involved in friendly and social local competitions. Frequent players can purchase season tickets allowing daily access to the courts for £40 per year. Casual users can book a court for £6 per hour. Funds raised will ensure that the courts are maintained at their new high standard for years to come. 

You can now book a session for either location online on the LTA’s website: https://www.lta.org.uk/book

Cllr Richard Palmer, the chair of the Community and Leisure Committee at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News:  “With Wimbledon putting a spotlight on tennis, this event was a fantastic opportunity for families to try out the sport for free, get active and socialise. We, alongside the LTA, have put a lot of effort and resources into refurbishing these tennis courts so they can once again become valued community assets. With this investment we have been able to transform completely unplayable public spaces into something we can all be proud of and use to their fullest.  Keeping active is not only great for your physical health, but also your mental wellbeing, so having places like these tennis courts available for people to get active is important to us. The new fees will help us maintain these courts for years to come, but we are still committed to providing access to the sport to as many people as we can. That is why we will be organising free sessions on the weekend, so everyone can have access to these wonderful courts, get active and socialise without the need for any equipment.” 

Julie Porter, Chief Operating Officer at the LTA, told SFM News: “After months of hard work, we’re delighted to see park tennis courts across Swale officially back open to the public, and in better shape than ever. Public tennis courts are such vital facilities for getting active and we want as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities, to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis. Thanks to this investment the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”