Local News

An Arriva double decker bus struck the railway bridge in Milton Road, Sittingbourne, earlier today resulting in both road and train service closures.

Kent Police confirmed to SFM News that they were called shortly after 9am today to reports of a collision between a bus and a railway bridge. The spokesperson went on to add that "no passengers were on board at the time, however, part of the road had to be closed to allow vehicle recovery and for Network Rail to assess the condition of the bridge and the safety of train services using it."

Southeastern Trains confirmed that an assessment had been carried out and that services resumed fully shortly after 10.15am.

An investigation will now be conducted by Arriva Southern Counties in to the accident.

A 58-year-old female cyclist suffered serious head injuries, after being hit by a car transporter on Eurolink Way in Sittingbourne earlier today.

Police and paramedics were called at about 11.40am this morning and the cyclist was taken to King's College Hospital, in South East London, after she was believed to have fallen into the side of the vehicle, a green Scania 340 car transporter.

Eurolink Way, between Crown Quay Lane and Milton Road, remained closed for several hours after the accident for investigation work to take place.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Maidstone Police Headquarters on 01622 798538.

Computer-generated images of a man have been released by detectives investigating a spate of distraction burglaries in the Sittingbourne and Newington areas.

All three burglaries, which are being linked by detectives, were reported to Kent Police on Monday 12th August.

The first was reported to have happened between 3.30pm and 4.10pm when two men tricked their way into a property in Callaways Lane, Newington. The men claimed they were doing a survey in the area about blocked drains due to oil being poured down sinks. After being allowed entry to the property, they asked the property owner, a 76-year-old man, to mix some water and bleach in a saucepan to help clear the drains. After a short while both men left the property. When the pensioner went upstairs he realised his wallet with about £120 cash was missing.

The two offenders then struck again, both at properties quite close together in Sittingbourne. Between 4pm and 4.55pm two men knocked at a property in Kenilworth Court and were allowed entry after claiming they were fitting a kitchen nearby and the drain was blocked. They asked if the home owner, an 80-year-old man, would run his tap for five minutes to check. The two men left soon after and when the victim went upstairs he noticed some cabinets and a jewellery box had been moved. He then checked his wallet and realised £30 cash was missing.

At a similar time, between 4.40pm and 4.50pm, the two burglars used a similar excuse to trick their way into a house in Homewood Avenue. The occupant, an 87-year-old woman, was told the two men were fitting a kitchen but were experiencing problems because some fat had been poured down a drain. They offered to check the elderly woman's drains and one man went out in the garden to check, while the other remained in the house. The woman's chiropodist then arrived at the house and the two men left through the back garden. It has since been reported that a large amount of cash in £20 notes is missing.

The main offender has been described as a white man, aged between 35 and 45, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with short black hair and he spoke with a Yorkshire accent. He was wearing a white shirt with stripes and dark trousers and shoes.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sasha Monck of Kent Police, told SFM News that "these two men have tricked their way into the homes of elderly and vulnerable people with the intent to deceive them and steal money. This time of crime is not common in these areas, but they can cause a great deal of distress to the victims. If you have any information, I would urge you to get in touch with us. We would always advise anyone to close the door if they have any doubts, or tell callers to return at another time when there is someone else there".

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call DC Monck on 01634 792166 quoting reference XY/25160/13 (Newington), XY/25168/13 (Kenilworth Court) or XY/25165/13 (Homewood Avenue) or alternatively they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, investigating the murder on the Isle of Sheppey, have named the victim as 34 year-old Gary Pocock from London.

Police have also confirmed today that a third suspect has also been arrested.

Officers were called at just before 6am on Wednesday (7th August) to Warden Bay Road in Leysdown after a body was found on the beach between Little Groves caravan site and Isle of Sheppey Holiday Village. A post mortem examination concluded that the man, identified today as 34 year-old Gary Pocock, died of significant head injuries.

A third person, a 29-year-old-man from London, was arrested earlier today (Friday 9th August) and is currently being questioned by detectives.

A 44 year-old man and a 43 year-old woman arrested in connection with the offence have been released from custody without charge.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Clayden, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, is eading the investigation and told SFM News "We have released this photo of Mr Pocock in the hope that it might jog memories, and that someone might have seen him in the days and hours leading up to his death and may have information that can help us. We continue to run an incident room out of Warden Bay Village Hall, so I would welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone who has information, or who saw Gary prior to his death."

Anyone with any information, is being urged to speak to officers in person at Warden Bay Village Hall, Warden Bay Road, Leysdown between 08:00 - 18:00 or they can call 101 quoting CAD 07-0167. Alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.