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. 

www.mycommunityvoicekent.co.uk 

Items of Note: 

Untaxed Vehicles – It is easy to check whether a vehicle is taxed and has a valid MOT via the GOV website: 

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk

If a vehicle is shown as being untaxed this should be reported directly to DVLA via:

https://www.gov.uk/report-untaxed-vehicle

Kent Police can only assist with untaxed vehicles in certain circumstances and the tax must have been expired by over two months and one day.

Nuisance Motorcycles – Kent Police have received further complaints this month regarding nuisance motorcycles on Snowdown Colliery Site. This site is owned and controlled by The Coal Authority who are aware of this ongoing issue. Despite their best efforts, persons are still finding access points on to this land. Kent Police Crime Prevention Officers and myself have been in close contact with The Coal Authority and will continue to do so. Please report nuisance motorcycles by calling 101 or via the Kent Police Website. 

There has been a slight increase in reported shopliftings from retail premises within Aylesham, in particular on the Market Square. One arrest was made this month relating to this and enquiries are ongoing to locate at least one outstanding suspect. 

14th January 2025 – Report of criminal damage to vehicle windscreen on Ash Grove, Elvington. Crime report 46/7530/25 refers. 

26th January 2025 – Report of criminal damage to residential dwelling where window has been smashed. This was at approximately 22:30 hours on St Johns Road, Elvington. 

If anyone has any information regarding the above reports, please contact Kent Police either by 101 or the Kent Police Website quoting the above reference numbers. 

Elsewhere on district – 

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.