Police Warnings for Ashford in The Herald

The Ashford Herald, 18th November 2010, contains many warnings to the public this Christmas.

Bizarre Thefts

A nurse seemingly suffered a strange theft attempt in Willesborough, where two women approached her in tears, claiming their mother had died. They then put costume jewellery around her neck and by sleight of hand removed her own 22ct gold necklace. When she pushed them away,and went to call the police, the women threw her necklace at her.

This is clearly an odd case of attempted theft, but it would be advisable to be on your guard when comforting unknown women in the street?

Christmas Crimes

We should all raise our awareness at christmas, when expensive items are generally purchased and carried around.

Kent Police are drawing attention to the risks of putting shopping bags on view in the rears of your cars, in case it leads to theft.

Also, be aware of what boxes you put outside your house for the bin men to collect. There is no point in needlessly advertising your new telly, camera and stereo to the whole neighbourhood.

Please also ensure your sheds and garages are locked, as the spate of thefts accross Ashford show no sign of stopping.

Saddening News

I was saddened to hear of the death of Cllr John Kemp of Kennington Ward today.

Cllr John Kemp was a good councillor who was highly regarded in the ward and borough as a whole.

Fantastic Response from Kent Police

I want to commend Kent Police on their response to an incident that happened this evening.

This evening my husband went to the shop.

On his way down Faversham Road, innocuously committing that crime of walking on the pavement, he was surprised to hear some commotion and a revving engine.

A car then swerved behind him on to the pavement as it's occupants, rowdy males, yelled "get out of the f-ing way".

Understandably my husband felt very threatened. He was then subject to abusive comments along the lines of "yeah you'd better carry on walking" and "we'll be waiting for you boyo" and "we're gonna get you".

I am pleased to say my husband carried on walking, didn't turn around or respond in any way. To do so, as many know, would have provoked confrontation.

He did have the forethought to check which house, car colour and registration on his way back, however.

He put in a phone call to Kent Police and they responded, sending two officers round within 30 minutes.

They were concerned the people who threatened him may know where he lived (good thinking), and went to the property to check out the occupants.

I am really delighted they took something which may have just been ASB but could equally have been quite a dangerous incident, so seriously.