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 too 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 EASTRY 

Between the 1 st January and 31st January there were 87 calls to the Eastry ward. 

INCIDENTS OF NOTE

A relatively quiet month across the Ward which is a testament to the area. 

21st January 2025 – Report of a nuisance motorcycle being ridden on Mill Green, Eastry. I attended this call, however the vehicle could not be located. Please report nuisance motor vehicles either by calling 101 or via the Kent Police website.

28th January 2025 – Although not in Eastry itself, within neighbouring Sandwich there were three reports of overnight vehicle crime. Two thefts from motor vehicle offences and one theft of an unattended motorcycle. Please ensure that you check your vehicle at night before going to bed. The vast majority of these crimes are on insecure vehicles. 

VAWG Event: I am looking to set up a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) event within the neighbouring Sandwich over the next few weeks. Once the date and location has been agreed, I will share this information on My Community Voice. Sandwich and the surrounding area is an incredibly safe community 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.

ROADS POLICING OPERATION:

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. 

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