Heron

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

Heron Local Policing Team

James Melia (Kent Police, Police constable, Canterbury Neighbourhood Beat Officer)

James Melia

Police constable

Matthew Handley (Kent Police, Police Constable, Canterbury Neighbourhood Beat Officer)

Matthew Handley

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority Action taken

E-scooters/E-bikes.

Issued 20 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 20 July 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 20 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 20 July 2026

Catapults.

Issued 20 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 20 July 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 22 April 2026

Officers carried out speed checks in locations across Heron ward where residents had reported ongoing concerns about speeding. Drivers found travelling significantly above the speed limit were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TOR). A TOR is a formal record created by police when someone is suspected of committing a road traffic offence and may result in a fixed penalty notice, a driver education course or a court appearance. Lower-level speeding concerns have also been recorded through the Speedwatch scheme. Speedwatch is a community initiative where trained volunteers work alongside Kent Police to monitor vehicle speeds and raise awareness of road safety issues. Encouragingly, officers found that only a small number of drivers were exceeding the speed limit during these checks. Police will continue to engage with residents at community events to identify locations where speeding is a concern and target patrols and enforcement activity where it is needed most.

Actioned 30 June 2026

E-scooters/e-bikes.

Issued 22 April 2026

Officers carried out a number of e-scooter seizures across Herne Bay as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle the unlawful use of these vehicles. Alongside enforcement action, officers provided advice and education to e-scooter users to help them understand the rules and safety risks associated with their use. Some privately owned e-scooters cannot be used legally on public roads, pavements or other public spaces, and officers remain committed to identifying and taking action against those using them unlawfully, particularly repeat offenders. Information shared by local residents during community engagement activities has helped officers identify hotspot locations, allowing patrols and enforcement activity to be targeted more effectively. This continued partnership between the community and police is helping to improve road safety and address concerns about the misuse of e-scooters in the area.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Dog fouling.

Issued 22 April 2026

Concerns about dog fouling in the area have been recognised and shared with the appropriate local authority. Responsibility for dealing with dog fouling and taking enforcement action rests with the local council, which has the powers to investigate reports and issue penalties where necessary. Residents who have raised concerns have been directed to the council’s reporting process so that incidents can be dealt with by the responsible authority. Dog fouling can have a negative impact on public spaces, the local environment and public health, and reporting incidents helps the council identify problem areas and take action where needed. By working in partnership with the council, police can help ensure concerns are addressed and that local parks, footpaths and public spaces remain clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.

Actioned 30 June 2026

What members in Heron are saying are the issues in the area:

Latest Alerts

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Nuisance Motorcycles

Dear Resident, Canterbury Community Safety Unit continue to target the issue of nuisance vehic...

Kent Police
28/07/2026 12:11:59

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Local Priorities Catapults Update

Dear Resident, Thank you for taking the local priority survey recently, your ongoing feedback ab...

Kent Police
26/07/2026 17:48:39

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Coffee with a Cop @ HatHats (Heron Leisure Centre) : Thu 06 Aug 10:00

Dear Resident, I will be holding a drop-in surgery at HatHats Coffee, Herne Bay Central, Willi...

Kent Police
26/07/2026 12:01:36

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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

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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

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MCV Stall / Event

Good evening, Unfortunately, I was unable to attend todays planned My Community Voice (MCV) engage...

Kent Police
19/07/2026 20:45:12

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Coffee with a Cop @ Costa Coffee, Sainsbury's : Tue 28 Jul 15:00

Dear Resident, I will be holding a drop-in surgery at Costa Coffee, Sainsbury’s, Altira Busine...

Kent Police
19/07/2026 12:01:03

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Boot Fair Patrol: Whitstable Bends

This morning, Constable Groombridge and I visited the K&T Boot Fair on the Whitstable Bends. Whe...

Kent Police
18/07/2026 13:40:08

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Upcoming Events

...
Coffee with a Cop @ HatHats (Heron Leisure Centre)
  • HatHats Coffee Herne Bay Central, William Street, CT6 5NX
  • 06/08/2026 10:00
  • Add to calendar
...
Meet local Officer
...
Salvation Army Community Coffee morning
...
Coffee with a Cop @ HatHats Coffee Reculver
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Hat Hats within Heron Leisure centre - Coffee with a Cop
  • Herons Leisure Centre, William Street, CT6 5NX
  • 11/08/2026 13:00
  • Add to calendar
...
Coffee with a Cop @ Costa Coffee, Sainsbury's
...
Coffee with a Cop @ HatHats (Heron Leisure Centre)
  • HatHats Coffee Herne Bay Central, William Street, CT6 5NX
  • 04/09/2026 10:00
  • Add to calendar
...
Hat Hats Coffee with a Cop
  • Herons Leisure Centre, William Street, CT6 5NX
  • 18/09/2026 14:30
  • Add to calendar

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