Welcome to your January 2025 newsletter from Kent Police. As is often the case this time of year, we see an increase in road traffic collisions. This is often due to road conditions and other factors such as the low sun. As always, I encourage all drivers to allow extra time for their journeys, and to ensure their vehicles are in a roadworthy condition. Regular tyre checks (tread and tyre pressure) and ensuring all fluids are topped up. Also, please make sure your windscreen is completely clear of ice and/or condensation prior to setting off. All to often I am seeing cars where the driver has only cleared a small section of the windscreen, thus restricting the full view of the road ahead. I have been liaising recently with my colleagues at Kent Police Speedwatch and joining them at road checks across the district. As previously mentioned, please let me know by email of areas of concern (speed related) and I will do my best to conduct road checks at these locations. Finally, please can I encourage you all once again to sign up to Kent Police – My Community Voice. This will take only a few minutes and is a two-way communication tool where we can keep you up to date with events within your local area and policing results and performance.

STATISTICS FOR SANDWICH 

Between the 1 st January and the 31st January were 115 calls to the Sandwich and Woodnesborough area.

INCIDENTS OF NOTE: 

 11th January 2025 – Whilst on patrol within Sandwich, I spotted a vehicle known to myself as being untaxed for a considerable amount of time. I stopped this vehicle, which was then seized under DVLA powers for tax offences. 28th January 2025 – Three reports of motor vehicle crime which have taken place overnight between 27th and 28th January. 

• Jubilee Road, Sandwich – Unattended motor vehicle entered, and items taken from within- 46/15896/25. 

• Sandwood Road, Sandwich – Unattended motor vehicle, believed to have been left insecure, items taken from within – 46/16196/25. • Woodnesborough Road, Sandwich, 125cc motorcycle stolen overnight – 46/15829/25. 

Should you have any information regarding the above offences, please contact Kent Police on 101 or access the Kent Police Website quoting the reference number above I am looking to set up a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) event within the town over the next few weeks. Once the date has been agreed, I will share this information on My Community Voice. Sandwich is an incredibly safe community and one which I am very proud to police, however these events are important, and it is useful to discuss issues and concerns in person as well as offering advice if required.

On Friday 31st January 2025, officers including myself and my colleagues at Dover Community Safety Unit were joined by colleagues at Kent Police Road Safety Unit and DVSA to conduct a road check on the A256 close to Discovery Park, Sandwich. 

This day resulted in the following results – (TOR – Traffic Offence Report) Commercial vehicle: 

4 x TOR’s Insecure loads 

3 x TOR’s No licence and no insurance 

2 x Overweight prohibitions

2 x TOR’s NO Test certificates (MOT) 

2 x TOR’s Illegal number plate 

1 x TOR Failing to maintain lights 

1 x TOR Dangerous condition 

1 x TOR Illegal window tints 

1 x VDRS (Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme) 

3 x Vehicle Tax seizures 

2 x Vehicle seizures for no Insurance and no driving licence

Non-Commercial vehicle: 

7 x TOR’s NO Test certificates (MOT) 

3 x TOR’s Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence 

2 x TOR’s No Seatbelt 

1 x TOR Illegal window tints 

1 x TOR Dangerous condition 

1 x Prohibition 

2 x Vehicle seizures for no Insurance 

DVSA Returns : 8 x Category 1 defects. These are the highest category of defects. Vehicles issued prohibitions. 

Two persons were arrested. 1 x Drug Driving, 1 x Wanted for assault.