Kingsnorth Village & Bridgefield

Wildlife crime issues.

A vehicle was stopped in Shadoxhurst as the driver was disqualified. The vehicle had travelled from out of the district, and this is consistent with offenders targeting our rural community. A further 2 vehicles were pursued by police to disrupt offenders. One vehicle was eventually stopped and multiple persons were arrested. Finally, a further vehicle was seized linked to wildlife crime in Sussex. This is an example of joint border work where offenders move between forces to commit wildlife crimes. During these collaborative patrols, intelligence is shared to disrupt long-term offending.

Farm equipment theft.

Property marking events have taken place at the Cattle Auction Sales at Ashford Cattle Market. This gives farmers and businesses to protect their property. By marking agricultural machinery, it is less attractive to thieves and easier for police to identify once recovered. We have continued to patrol rural areas and hotspots of note following feedback from the rural community via FarmWatch.

Antisocial behaviour - nuisance.

Officers continue to tackle nuisance motorcycles and antisocial vehicle use in the area through targeted patrols and enforcement activity. In response to concerns raised by residents, officers have taken action against drivers and riders whose behaviour causes nuisance or puts others at risk. Following reports of a noisy vehicle travelling at excessive speeds in the Warehorne and Hamstreet areas, the driver was identified and issued with a Section 59 warning. A Section 59 warning can be issued when a vehicle is being used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to others, and continued offending may result in the vehicle being seized.

Officers have also increased patrols in Finberry following reports of motorcycles being ridden in an antisocial manner and continue to develop intelligence to identify those responsible. Alongside this work, speed checks have been carried out on rural roads, with drivers being stopped and given advice where appropriate. Through ongoing patrols, enforcement and community engagement, officers continue to address road safety concerns and reduce the impact of nuisance vehicles on local residents.