Crime in weald central, ashford

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.

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.

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.

Local beat officers have been responding to reports involving catapults and have continued working behind the scenes to identify those responsible, using information and evidence provided by the community. This work led to a 17‑year‑old in the Bethersden area being given a Community Protection Warning after being identified on CCTV firing projectiles from a catapult towards birds. The warning specifically relates to catapult possession and wildlife crime. A second individual linked to the same incident is also being sought so that a Community Protection Warning can be issued.

An 18‑year‑old male from Bethersden has also been given a Community Protection Warning after being identified as firing projectiles from a catapult at wildlife.

Officers have also been addressing catapult‑related behaviour through visits to local schools. In addition, officers have spoken with a 16‑year‑old and their parents in the High Halden area, with the aim of putting an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement in place due to their involvement in catapult‑related incidents.

A 21‑year‑old male has also been issued with a Community Protection Warning following links to poaching wildlife using catapults. Compliance checks are ongoing, and officers continue to carry out regular patrols in hotspot areas linked to catapult use.

Following reports of suspicious activity involving plant and machinery in the Smarden area, officers from the Rural Task Force visited the affected location and marked more than 20 items as a preventative safety measure.

Local beat officers also held a drop‑in event alongside the Rural Task Force, giving members of the public the opportunity to have tools and equipment marked free of charge.
After further reports of suspicious activity around building sites in the Egerton area, officers carried out site visits to speak with those responsible. During these visits, officers discussed general security and safety advice, promoted property marking, and increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance and deter further crime.