Isle of Oxney

Your Neighbourhood Policing Team is made up of Kent Police beat officers who are dedicated to keeping your community safe. They focus on preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, responding to local concerns, and building strong relationships with residents, community groups and local businesses.

Our officers will:

  • patrol to deter crime and reassure the public

  • hold regular engagement activities in the area, including attending community meetings to share advice and listen to concerns

  • work with partner agencies including councils, schools, charities, and local groups

  • tackle issues like antisocial behaviour, repeat offending, and vulnerability

  • build trust by being visible, approachable, and responsive

Neighbourhood policing is a key part of Kent Police’s commitment to being community-focused, visible, and responsive.

Report crime

Please do not contact neighbourhood officers to report crime.

If it's not an emergency, the easiest way to contact us is online. Your report will be sent direct to our control room where it will be reviewed by the same team who answer our calls.

  • in an emergency, call 999

  • call 101 for non-emergency enquiries

Isle of Oxney Local Policing Team

Darren Laker (Kent Police, Police Constable, Ashford Neighbourhood Beat Officer)

Darren Laker

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority Action taken

Criminal damage.

Issued 17 July 2026

This is a priority for the next 3 months. We have identified this based on feedback from local residents, crime data, and ongoing concerns in the area.

We’ll publish an update in the coming months to let you know what we’ve done, what progress has been made, and what’s next.

Actioned 17 July 2026

Catapults.

Issued 17 July 2026

This is a priority for the next 3 months. We have identified this based on feedback from local residents, crime data, and ongoing concerns in the area.

We’ll publish an update in the coming months to let you know what we’ve done, what progress has been made, and what’s next.

Actioned 17 July 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 17 July 2026

This is a priority for the next 3 months. We have identified this based on feedback from local residents, crime data, and ongoing concerns in the area.

We’ll publish an update in the coming months to let you know what we’ve done, what progress has been made, and what’s next.

Actioned 17 July 2026

Catapults.

Issued 14 April 2026

There continues to be high-visibility and proactive patrol activity in areas where catapult-related crime has been reported. Officers are working closely with local residents and partner agencies, following up all reasonable lines of enquiry to identify those responsible and prevent further incidents. Community information remains vital in helping officers respond effectively to concerns.

As part of ongoing prevention work, a new educational video has been created for schools and young people to highlight the dangers and consequences of catapult-related crime, including the harm it can cause to wildlife. The video is currently being delivered by police officers in local schools to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.

In one recent case, a young person was issued with a conditional caution following links to a social media account that contained videos showing acts of animal cruelty and the use of a catapult against wildlife in the local area. A conditional caution allows an offence to be dealt with without a court hearing, provided specific conditions are met. If those conditions are breached, the individual may be required to attend court. Through a combination of education, early intervention and enforcement activity, officers will continue to tackle catapult-related offences and help keep the community safe.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Drug dealing.

Issued 14 April 2026

Neighbourhood officers have worked closely with partner agencies and local housing providers to address serious antisocial behaviour and drug-related activity linked to several properties in the area. Following repeated reports of violence, antisocial behaviour and suspected drug dealing at a property in South Tenterden, officers successfully obtained a full Closure Order through the courts. A Closure Order is a legal measure that allows a property to be closed when it is associated with significant crime, disorder or antisocial behaviour. This means that nobody is permitted to enter the property unless authorised under the terms of the order.

Officers have also worked with housing providers to secure an extension to a partial Closure Order at a property in Rolvenden and have supported action at two other addresses where concerns about drug use and related antisocial behaviour were reported. This has included obtaining court-imposed injunctions with powers of arrest and supporting housing providers in seeking possession of properties where appropriate.

This partnership work helps to protect local residents, disrupt criminal activity and improve the quality of life within affected communities. Officers will continue to work with housing providers and partner agencies to identify and address locations linked to serious antisocial behaviour and criminality.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 14 April 2026

Neighbourhood Officers have continued to work alongside the Special Constabulary to carry out speed compliance checks along the A28 through St Michaels, Tenterden, Rolvenden and Newenden following concerns raised about speeding. These checks help to identify unsafe driving, improve road safety and provide a visible police presence in areas where residents have reported concerns.

During this enforcement activity, one vehicle was seized after officers established it was being driven without valid insurance. Driving without insurance is a serious offence that can result in a vehicle being seized, financial penalties and prosecution. Officers will continue to carry out speed checks and proactive patrols across the area to address road safety concerns, deter offending and help keep local roads safe for all road users.

Actioned 30 June 2026

What members in Isle of Oxney are saying are the issues in the area:

Latest Alerts

Message type icon

The Butterfly Project - Walk and Talk : Fri 14 Aug 18:00

Dear Resident, Neighbourhood Officers will be holding The Butterfly Project - Walk and Talk, ...

Kent Police
28/07/2026 11:13:45

View Alert
Message type icon

Meet Police : Tue 08 Sep 18:00

Dear Resident, I will be holding an event at The White Hart, Rye Road, Newenden at 1800 hours ...

Kent Police
27/07/2026 07:07:30

View Alert
Message type icon

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our My Community Voice Members

Resident We would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you for being a value...

Kent Police
24/07/2026 19:08:24

View Alert
Message type icon

July Newsletter

Our July Newsletter is here! Scan the QR code or click the link below to catch up on what is happe...

Kent Police
24/07/2026 15:02:20

View Alert
Message type icon

Meet Police : Mon 07 Sep 18:00

Dear Resident, I will be holding a surgery at Calvero Lounge, Tenterden at 1800 hours on the ...

Kent Police
23/07/2026 07:13:39

View Alert
Message type icon

Violence Against Woman and Girls Update - Male arrested in Ashford for new S.4B Public Order Act offence (Sex Based Harassment offence)

Dear Resident, I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Violence against women and girls...

Kent Police
21/07/2026 08:58:58

View Alert
Message type icon

Police Attend Camp Fire at Wye Downs

On Friday evening, officers attended Wye Downs following reports of a camp fire being lit within the...

Kent Police
20/07/2026 12:54:15

View Alert
Message type icon

My Community Voice Event Cancellation Message

Resident Unfortunately, due to operational policing demands and the need to respond to calls...

Kent Police
17/07/2026 09:26:55

View Alert

Upcoming Events

...
The Butterfly Project - Walk and Talk
  • Starbucks , Ashford Designer Outlet, TN24 0SD
  • 14/08/2026 18:00
  • Add to calendar
...
Meet Police
...
Meet Police
...
Newenden Parish Meeting
  • St Peter's Church, Newenden, 3 Lossenham Lane, TN18 5PN
  • 15/09/2026 19:00
  • Add to calendar

Look up another Local Policing Team

Find your local Local Policing Team and be able to contact them directly by entering a street address or postcode below: