Local News

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision in Iwade last night (Sunday 10th December).

A red and white Kawasaki motorbike was travelling along Ferry Road at around 7.55pm when it was in collision with a blue Mercedes A160 travelling in the opposite direction.

The motorcyclist suffered serious head injuries and was taken to a London hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit attended the scene and are appealing for any witnesses, especially anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the collision, to contact them.

To contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, at Police Headquarters in Maidsone, you can call 01622 798538 quoting: DB/DM/278/17, or you can email: sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

A group of young people facing disadvantage in Sittingbourne will be mentored by world class athletes, as part of a transformational programme led by the charity of double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

'Get on Track' is the flagship programme of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, which trains and develops world class athletes to empower young people facing disadvantage. This enables them to take control of their own futures and contribute positively within their local communities.

The community-based personal, social and emotional development programme started on 13th November and is being led by Michelle Griffith-Robinson, Olympic Triple Jumper. The sessions - run over a 14-month period - will help young people to realise the attitudes and behaviours needed to make long term positive life choices.

Last year the programme was delivered in 62 areas of the UK and over two thirds who took part were in employment, education or training within five months of starting the programme. A further 77% of young people felt more connected to their local community.

The charity works with young people who are most in need of help, including those who are long-term unemployed, care leavers, homeless people, young offenders, women at risk of sexual exploitation and those living within isolated communities. This project has been made possible as a result of funding from the European Skills Fund

Michelle Griffith Robinson told SFM News: "We believe as a charity that every young person - no matter what their background or current circumstances - has the potential to lead a positive life. I can't wait to start working with the young people on our Sittingbourne programme and being able to support them to reach their full potential. Our programmes are proven to have a lasting impact - the short-term successes achieved, such as moving into employment or achieving in education, only represent the start of their journey - it's also about empowering them to lead a healthy lifestyle, contribute within their communities and take others with them on their journey."

Elly Virgo, Senior Area Development Manager, told SFM News: "Our programmes are only ever delivered by Trust-trained athletes who have reached a world class level in their sport. This group are naturally high performing and proven to be exceptional leaders for change in young people and communities. We're really looking to working with Swale Community Leisure again to transform the lives of young people in Sittingbourne who need our support most."

Dave Harcourt, Executive Officer for Swale Community Leisure, told SFM News: "it is really exciting working with trusted partners to deliver a transformational programme that changes the lives of young people in Swale. The positive impact achieved cannot be underestimated, with so many young people benefiting from being mentored by individuals with a high performing mindset. Get on Track continues to be proven a success and we are proud to be part of it.

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust is a UK charity that believes every young person - no matter what their background or current circumstances - has the potential to lead a positive life. Our mentoring programmes follow a theory of change to unlock five key attitudes of (Focus, Resilience, Motivation, Confidence and Determination), which we see as the catalyst for behaviour change in young people facing disadvantage.

Officers investigating a report of a stabbing in Sittingbourne have charged a woman.

Kent Police were called at 7.42am last Saturday (11th November) to Bell Road following a report that a man had suffered injuries consistent with a stabbing.

Officers attended the scene and following enquiries arrested Olive Ripley, 61, of Lion Field in Faversham.

The investigation was then passed to officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Olive Ripley has since been charged with wounding with intent and will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 15th December.

The victim, a man aged in his 70s, who is known to the suspect, was taken to a hospital in London for treatment where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Officers investigating a courier fraud in Sittingbourne have arrested a 22-year-old man from London and a local 26-year-old-woman.

A woman in her nineties reported that she had received a call from someone claiming to be a police officer who told her that her debit card had been compromised. She alleged she was told to put her debit card in an envelope. The caller then asked if she had any valuables in the house and that these would also be safer at New Scotland Yard.

The woman placed approximately £20,000 worth of jewellery in a bag with her debit card and left it outside her front door for an officer to collect. A few days later she then claims to have received another call from the officer and was asked to authorise two payments as part of the investigation. These transactions totalled nearly £4000.

Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur, of Kent Police, told SFM News: "criminals who commit courier fraud offences prey on the most vulnerable members of society and care little if their victims are left penniless as a result of the lies that are spun. We are keen to ensure people know how to spot the signs of a fraudulent phone call so their finances and valuables are not put at risk. I would encourage friends and family members to pass on fraud prevention advice to help protect residents who may not be aware of this type of scam."

Kent Police advise that to protect yourself against courier fraud, by remembering:

• The police or your bank will never send a courier to your home to collect your bank card or other items and will never ask for cash, valuables, or your PIN.
• If you receive one of these calls end it immediately without providing any information.
• If you wish to call your bank use a number known to you, not one provided by the caller. Call from another phone, or call a friend first to ensure the offenders have been disconnected from your line.
• If you've handed over any personal bank details to the fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately.