Heron

Road safety issues.

Officers carried out speed checks in locations across Heron ward where residents had reported ongoing concerns about speeding. Drivers found travelling significantly above the speed limit were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TOR). A TOR is a formal record created by police when someone is suspected of committing a road traffic offence and may result in a fixed penalty notice, a driver education course or a court appearance. Lower-level speeding concerns have also been recorded through the Speedwatch scheme. Speedwatch is a community initiative where trained volunteers work alongside Kent Police to monitor vehicle speeds and raise awareness of road safety issues. Encouragingly, officers found that only a small number of drivers were exceeding the speed limit during these checks. Police will continue to engage with residents at community events to identify locations where speeding is a concern and target patrols and enforcement activity where it is needed most.

E-scooters/e-bikes.

Officers carried out a number of e-scooter seizures across Herne Bay as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle the unlawful use of these vehicles. Alongside enforcement action, officers provided advice and education to e-scooter users to help them understand the rules and safety risks associated with their use. Some privately owned e-scooters cannot be used legally on public roads, pavements or other public spaces, and officers remain committed to identifying and taking action against those using them unlawfully, particularly repeat offenders. Information shared by local residents during community engagement activities has helped officers identify hotspot locations, allowing patrols and enforcement activity to be targeted more effectively. This continued partnership between the community and police is helping to improve road safety and address concerns about the misuse of e-scooters in the area.

Dog fouling.

Concerns about dog fouling in the area have been recognised and shared with the appropriate local authority. Responsibility for dealing with dog fouling and taking enforcement action rests with the local council, which has the powers to investigate reports and issue penalties where necessary. Residents who have raised concerns have been directed to the council’s reporting process so that incidents can be dealt with by the responsible authority. Dog fouling can have a negative impact on public spaces, the local environment and public health, and reporting incidents helps the council identify problem areas and take action where needed. By working in partnership with the council, police can help ensure concerns are addressed and that local parks, footpaths and public spaces remain clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.