Bearsted & Downswood

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

James Phillips

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority	Action taken
Vehicle crime. Issued 03 November 2025	We continue to conduct proactive patrols across the area, both on foot and in marked and unmarked police vehicles. CCTV opportunities have been identified, and images of suspects have been obtained as part of ongoing enquiries. Officers continue to work closely with the parish council, local residents and businesses to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance to help keep the neighbourhood safe. Actioned 23 January 2026
Antisocial behaviour - nuisance. Issued 03 November 2025	Regular patrols are ongoing in identified hotspot locations, including Mallards Park and Woodlands Trust. Officers are working closely with local residents and businesses to prevent nuisance behaviour and promote reporting so that individuals involved can be identified. Where individuals are identified, they may be dealt with in a range of proportionate ways, including Acceptable Behaviour Agreements with the child and their parents, educational workbooks, referral to diversionary courses provided by the Child Centred Policing Team. Actioned 23 January 2026
Antisocial behaviour - personal. Issued 03 November 2025	Targeted patrols continue in areas where personal antisocial behaviour concerns have been reported. Community engagement remains a priority, with diversionary pathways used for young people involved. Actioned 23 January 2026

Priority

Action taken

Vehicle crime.

Issued 03 November 2025

We continue to conduct proactive patrols across the area, both on foot and in marked and unmarked police vehicles. CCTV opportunities have been identified, and images of suspects have been obtained as part of ongoing enquiries. Officers continue to work closely with the parish council, local residents and businesses to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance to help keep the neighbourhood safe.

Actioned 23 January 2026

Antisocial behaviour - nuisance.

Issued 03 November 2025

Regular patrols are ongoing in identified hotspot locations, including Mallards Park and Woodlands Trust. Officers are working closely with local residents and businesses to prevent nuisance behaviour and promote reporting so that individuals involved can be identified.

Where individuals are identified, they may be dealt with in a range of proportionate ways, including Acceptable Behaviour Agreements with the child and their parents, educational workbooks, referral to diversionary courses provided by the Child Centred Policing Team.

Actioned 23 January 2026

Antisocial behaviour - personal.

Issued 03 November 2025

Targeted patrols continue in areas where personal antisocial behaviour concerns have been reported. Community engagement remains a priority, with diversionary pathways used for young people involved.

Actioned 23 January 2026

What members in Bearsted & Downswood are saying are the issues in the area:

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