Otford and Shoreham

Burglary - residential.

Kent Police has been actively tackling residential burglary in Otford and Shoreham through increased patrols in key residential areas and targeted reassurance visits following reported incidents. There have been five burglaries in the area over the past three months, two of which involved the theft of vehicles.

Local officers have supported ongoing investigations by carrying out house-to-house enquiries where appropriate and reviewing available CCTV and forensic opportunities to help identify those responsible. Residents have also been provided with crime prevention advice covering home security, outdoor lighting, alarms and smart doorbell cameras to help reduce the risk of burglary.

Ongoing engagement with the community remains an important part of this work, helping officers gather intelligence, identify patterns and prevent further offences. Residents are encouraged to join My Community Voice (MCV) to receive updates and stay in direct contact with their local neighbourhood officer.

Nuisance vehicles.

To address concerns about nuisance vehicles in Otford and Shoreham, officers have carried out targeted patrols in identified hotspot locations, particularly at times when reports are most frequent. Speed checks are now being conducted on the Sevenoaks–Otford Road to deter dangerous and antisocial driving.

Where offences have been identified, officers have taken enforcement action, including issuing Section 59 warnings and seizing vehicles linked to repeat offending. A Section 59 warning is a legal warning issued when a vehicle is used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to others. If the warning is breached within 12 months, the vehicle can be seized by police.

Officers are also working closely with local partners and landowners to reduce access to areas commonly used for nuisance vehicle activity. These measures aim to deter antisocial driving, improve road safety and enhance the quality of life for local residents. To receive updates and stay in direct contact with your local neighbourhood officer, please join My Community Voice (MCV).

Theft - shoplifting.

Kent Police continues to address shoplifting concerns in Otford and Shoreham through regular patrols of local retail areas and ongoing engagement with businesses. Officers encourage retailers to report offences promptly and share CCTV footage where available, helping to identify offenders and support investigations.

Where offenders have been identified, appropriate enforcement action has been taken. Officers have also provided crime prevention advice to local businesses, including practical measures to improve security, increase staff awareness and reduce opportunities for theft.

Working closely with retailers and the wider community helps officers identify repeat offenders, prevent further incidents and support local businesses. Residents and business owners are encouraged to report suspicious activity and join My Community Voice (MCV) to receive local updates and stay in contact with their neighbourhood policing team.