Tenterden St Michael's

Catapults.

There continues to be high-visibility and proactive patrolling in areas where catapult-related incidents have been reported. Officers continue to work closely with residents, schools and partner agencies, following up information provided by the community and investigating all reasonable lines of enquiry.

As part of ongoing prevention work, a new educational video has been developed for local schools to highlight the dangers and consequences of catapult-related crime, including the harm it can cause to wildlife, property and public safety. Officers are currently delivering this material to young people across the area.

In addition, a young person was issued with a Conditional Caution after being linked to social media content showing incidents of animal cruelty and the misuse of a catapult against wildlife in the local area. A Conditional Caution is an out-of-court disposal that requires the offender to comply with specific conditions designed to address their behaviour. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in prosecution and court proceedings.

Officers remain committed to tackling catapult-related offending through a combination of enforcement, education and partnership working, and encourage residents to continue reporting concerns so appropriate action can be taken.

Drug dealing.

Neighbourhood officers have worked closely with partner agencies and housing providers to tackle serious antisocial behaviour, violence and drug-related activity linked to several properties in the area.

Following repeated reports concerning a property in South Tenterden, officers successfully obtained a full Closure Order through the courts. A Closure Order is a legal power that allows a property to be closed when it is associated with significant crime, disorder or antisocial behaviour. This means no one is permitted to enter the property, helping to disrupt criminal activity and protect the wider community. The housing provider is also pursuing further action in relation to the address.

Officers have also worked with other housing providers to secure an extension to a partial Closure Order at a property in Rolvenden. In addition, court-imposed injunctions with powers of arrest have been obtained in relation to other addresses linked to drug use and antisocial behaviour. Further action is also being taken by housing providers to seek possession of another property associated with ongoing drug-related issues.

This partnership approach is helping to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, improve the quality of life for residents and provide long-term solutions to persistent community concerns. Officers will continue to work with housing providers and partner agencies to identify and address properties linked to criminality and nuisance behaviour.

Road safety issues.

Neighbourhood officers have continued to work alongside the Special Constabulary to carry out speed compliance checks along the A28 through St Michaels, Tenterden, Rolvenden and Newenden following concerns raised about speeding. These checks help improve road safety, identify unsafe driving behaviour and provide a visible police presence in communities where residents have reported concerns.

As part of this enforcement activity, a vehicle was seized after officers established it was being driven without valid insurance. Officers will continue to carry out proactive patrols, speed checks and targeted enforcement activity to address road safety concerns, deter offending and help keep local roads safe for all users.