Weekly Update- Westgate on Sea and Birchington

Weekly Update- Westgate on Sea and Birchington

Dear residents of Westgate on Sea and Birchington,

It has been another good week from a policing perspective across both wards. Please see a summary of updates below:

Road safety:

I was joined by colleagues conducting speed checks at several locations (Sea Road, Westgate Bay Avenue, and Canterbury Road). Encouragingly, most of the motorists monitored were adhering to the posted speed limits, with only one Traffic Offence Report issued for a motorist travelling at 40mph along Sea Road.

Retail crime:

A prolific shoplifter who committed numerous offences at a retail premise in Westgate on Sea has now been charged with five counts of theft shoplifting. I was able to identify him for all five offences from CCTV provided by the store, and he was swiftly arrested on several occasions. He has been charged and bailed to appear at court for all five offences, with conditions not to enter the specific store.

Whilst conducting patrol in Birchington I observed a male who was a named suspect on a theft shoplifting offence committed in Canterbury. I arrested him for the offence, with another offence of criminal damage further identified having been committed in Herne Bay. The male was charged with both offences and has been bailed to court.

A shoplifter who exploited the two minute silence on Remembrance Sunday to steal goods from a retail premises in Birchington was quickly apprehended by officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team as he entered another store in Westgate on Sea. He still had the stolen goods in his possession when arrested approximately 30 minutes after committing the offence. The offender was charged with three counts of theft shoplifting and has been bailed to court. He has also been issued with a Community Protection Warning prohibiting him from entering Thanet.

Community updates:

I was honoured to attend the Birchington Remembrance Service this year. As always the turnout was fantastic and exemplifies what a strong community spirit we have in the village.

A reminder that the next Ward Surgery will be hosted at Westgate on Sea Town Council Offices on Friday 20th November 2026 at 11:00 hours. This is a drop in event to discuss any crime and anti-social behaviour concerns you have in the area.

A reminder that Kent Police will be joining Thanet District Council in hosting a Violence Against Women and Girls Event on Wednesday 25th November 2026. We will be in Station Road, Westgate on Sea between 10:00 and 12:00. We will then be at Dog Acre, Station Road, Birchington between 13:00 and 15:00. Some people have fed back about the timings of this event, and that many residents will be at work or educational placements. I entirely accept this feedback, however the event was organised by Thanet District Council so we cannot control the timing. Please rest assured that I will feedback these comments and request that any future events are hosted at a time where more people can attend.

With kindest regards

PC Steven England

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Steven England
(Kent Police, Police Constable, Thanet Neighbourhood Policing Team)