Crime in east, maidstone

• Drug use and drug dealing in the Welland area

Officers conducted a warrant in Welland in late January, where they seized drugs and a knuckle duster with an integrated knife. A man was arrested and has been bailed while the investigation concludes.

Other activity related to drug dealing and use includes two men who were stopped in Welland Road with cannisters of nitrous oxide, the arrest of a man on suspicion of multiple thefts and the stop search of a vehicle in relation to supply.

Further enforcement activity and proactive patrols are planned for the coming weeks in conjunction with Neighbourhood Support Teams.

In addition to enforcement, officers, residents and stakeholders attended a meeting in Welland to discuss how to use government funding to further improve the local area.

• Vehicle nuisance and speeding in Dogsthorpe and Eastfield

The local neighbourhood team continue to target this area whenever possible.

Multiple speeding checks have taken place by neighbourhood officers and with the help of the Special Constabulary. Drivers have been dealt with for any offences, including one shocking example where officers caught a driver doing 52mph in a 30mph zone. In addition to speeding offences, two vehicles have been seized for driving without insurance.

On one occasion when they were conducting speeding patrols, neighbourhood officers found an abandoned vehicle containing drug paraphernalia.

At a community meeting in January a project was discussed that will involve educating young people about road safety, as well as plans to fund speed reduction measures at key locations.

• Drug use and drug dealing in Eastgate

Neighbourhood officers have conducted patrols in the area as part of efforts to combat the issue.

They have also located drugs, and a car linked to supply offences has been seized. In addition to this, a known drug user has been arrested and charged in relation to theft.

Officers have also invested time in planning enforcement activity in neighbouring wards that is expected to help tackle drug related issues across the city.

They have conducted stop searches in the area, including seizing cannabis from a man in Central Park following concerns from local residents about drug dealing. They also arrested another man in Century Square for possession with intent to supply class A drugs.