Local News

Kent Police have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses following the discovery of a man's body on the Isle of Sheppey yesterday.

A post mortem examination concluded that the man, who has yet to be identified, died of significant head injuries.

The man has been described as white, aged between 30-40 years old, around 5ft 6ins tall and was bald.

In a bid to help identify the man, detectives have released an image of a ring the man was wearing on his wedding finger.

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

Officers are appealing for information following a serious collision on the M2 earlier today (Friday 2nd August).

Kent Police were called just after 6.00am to a report of a two vehicle collision on the coast-bound carriageway of the M2 between junction 6 for Faversham and junction 7 at Brenley Corner.

The incident involved a white Renault lorry and a black Ford Transit.

On driver had to be cut free from his vehicle by the Kent Fire & Rescue Service was taken to the Royal London Hospital via the Kent Air ambulance with injuries described as serious. The other driver was taken to the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, with injuries described as minor.

The coast-bound carriageway of the M2 was closed for around six hours whilst the vehicles were recovered and for debris and fuel to be cleared from the carriageway. 

Witnesses to the collision, or anyone who may have seen the vehicles prior to the collision, is asked to contact the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, or alternatively they can contact Kent CrimeStoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police officers at Sittingbourne have just released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the robbery of a 93-year-old woman in Lynsted.

They are investigating a reported robbery in Cellar Hill that took place between 1.55pm and 2.07pm on Tuesday 16th July. The victim was sitting in her living room when a man walked through her kitchen door and told her he was there to collect money for the window cleaning. Knowing he was not her window cleaner, the lady stood up from her chair. The offender then pushed her back down and forcibly held her in place before stealing her black purse out of her knitting bag. The purse contained bank cards and £300 in cash. He then ran out of the front door.

The offender is described as white, with dark short hair and a longish face. He was clean-shaven and is estimated to have been in his late 20s.

Detectives have now released the image (above) of a man they believe would be able to help them with their enquiries.

Senior investigating officer, DCI Ann Lisseman, told SFM News: "While the victim suffered no injuries, we are classing this as robbery because the offender used force to restrain his vulnerable victim.
Someone out there must recognise this man and I'd ask you to call into us as soon as possible. Targeting an elderly lady and stealing her belongings is a despicable thing to do and we are following up every possible line of enquiry to find the offender and bring him to justice. Despite her ordeal, the victim has shown remarkable courage and fortitude in helping us compile an e-fit, and I'd like to commend her for her bravery."

Anybody with information is asked to call 01795 419230, quoting crime reference XY/021845/13 or, alternatively, they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has announced in Parliament today that the Medway NHS Foundation Trust has been placed in special measures following "fundamental breaches of care".

Medway is one of eleven out of the fourteen trusts that have been put under further investigation by NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh. Mr Hunt announced that the standard of care at the trust, which runs the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, were put under the spotlight following the recent inquiry into care at the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust. An investigation of the mortality rates at Medway revealed that the hospital had 1,745 deaths in a year (210/2011) - 238 more than expected.

The Medway NHS Foundation Trust came in the bottom 12 of all 145 English hospital trusts for the end of last year and the recent investigation uncovered "more worrying findings".

Referring specifically to Medway, Mr Hunt told the Commons "A public consultation heard stories of poor communication with patients, poor management of deteriorating patients, inappropriate referrals and medical interventions, delayed discharges and long A&E waiting times."

Under the special measures introduced the trust will have to implement recommendations from the Keogh Review. This will include regular visits from external teams; health care regulators will assess the quality of leadership at the hospital/s and the removal of any senior managers unable to lead the improvements required; and the hospital/s will be partnered with high-performing NHS organisations from other area.