Tenterden North

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 pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry to identify those responsible and prevent further incidents.

As part of ongoing prevention and education work, a new crime prevention video has been created for local schools to highlight the dangers and consequences of catapult-related crime, including the harm it can cause to wildlife. Officers are currently delivering this presentation to young people across the area to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.

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 use of a catapult against wildlife in the local area. A Conditional Caution is an out-of-court disposal that requires an offender to comply with specific conditions designed to address their behaviour. Failure to comply with those conditions may result in the offender being prosecuted and brought before the courts.

Officers remain committed to tackling catapult-related offences through a combination of enforcement, education and partnership working. We encourage residents to continue reporting concerns, as information from the community plays a vital role in helping us identify offenders and protect local people, property and wildlife.

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. As a result, 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 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 activity and nuisance behaviour.

This partnership approach has helped 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 closely with housing providers and partner agencies to identify and address properties linked to criminality, drug-related activity and antisocial 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.