Local News

Officers investigating a report of a robbery in Sittingbourne are appealing for witnesses.

The incident was reported to have happened in a playing field in Rectory Road, Sittingbourne, between 11pm and 11.15pm last Friday (5th October).

The victim was walking home and took a short cut through down Rectory Park and through the park. As he walked through the park a group of people started shouting at him and walking towards him.

The group is then reported to have demanded the victim hand over his belongings and when he refused one of the group used an item to scratch the victims face before they ran away.
The victim returned home and the incident was reported to Kent Police.

Investigating officer PC Mike Wills told SFM News: "This incident was reported to have taken place in a poorly lit area, late at night. We know the group are believed to have been wearing dark coloured tracksuits with their hoods up and one of them is believed to be around 6ft tall. We would like to hear from anyone who saw a group in the area at the time as they may have information which can assist our enquiries".

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police appeals line on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference XY/063705/18.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have made an arrest after a man was found dead in Rochester yesterday (Tuesday 18th September).

The deceased, who was 39 and from Sittingbourne, was found dead at the scene after Kent Police was called to the Rochester side of the High Street bridge at 7.23am.

A man in his 30s, who is from Rainham, was arrested in connection with the death at 11.25pm last night (18th September).

Enquiries to establish the cause of the death, which is being treated as suspicious, and the circumstances leading up to it, remain ongoing.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who believes they have information about the man's death, or anyone who heard or saw anything unusual in the High Street / Corporation Street area the previous night or during the early hours of Tuesday 18th September.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792 209 quoting ref: 18-0194.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police officers are appealing for witnesses after a taxi driver reported being robbed in Kemsley.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm on Saturday (15 September) evening on Flanders Close in Kemsley, after a man had called to book a taxi from the area.

The victim had knocked for the man when he appeared from nearby and told the taxi driver the call was for him. As both men got into the taxi the man pulled out a knife and used it to threaten the taxi driver. The victim quickly got out of the car and locked it with the man still inside. The suspect then kicked out the front passenger window before climbing through it and running off. The man then ran out of the close and towards Ypres Drive towards the direction of the train station.

The suspect has been described as a white man who was about 5ft 10ins tall and was wearing black baggy trousers, a dark long sleeved baggy top and a white scarf with blue stripes which was covering his head so only his eyes were visible.

Officers are connecting this incident to a previous incident in which another taxi driver was robbed last week. That incident was reported to have happened between 10.30pm and 10.40pm on Wednesday 12th on Meads Avenue, Sittingbourne, where a taxi driver was robbed of cash after a man had booked a taxi.

In this incident the suspect had been described as white, stocky build, around 5ft 10ins and wearing a grey jumper, dark grey jogging bottoms and wearing a black scarf which was covering most of his face. He was also wearing a pair of gloves and the hood to his jumper was pulled up.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police Appeals Line for Swale on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference XY/58943//18.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Collison investigators are appealing for witnesses following a fatal incident on the A249 Detling Hill earlier today (Thursday 13th September).

Kent Police were called at 6.25am this morning after a red Yamaha motorcycle and a grey Renault people carrier collided on the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway.

Police officers and the South East Coast Ambulance Service attended and sadly the motorcyclist, a man aged in his 30s, died at the scene. His next of kin have been made aware.

The carriageway was closed from the M20 Junction 7 through to the M2 Junction 5, whilst emergency services remained at the scene. The road was re-opened shortly after 3.00pm.

Anyone who saw the collision, or either of the vehicles prior to the collision, is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 798538, quoting reference DK/NR/127/18. Officers are particularly interested in speaking to those who may have dash cam footage. Alternatively you can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.