downs and mereworth Crime Intelligence

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.

Nuisance use of vehicles at The Hop Farm, including reports of vehicles driving in circles on grassed areas, was identified previously and dealt with quickly. Officers attended at the time and found those involved, resulting in a Section 59 warning being issued.

A Section 59 warning is used when a vehicle is driven in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance. If the same behaviour continues within 12 months, the vehicle can be seized.

Since this action was taken, no further reports of similar behaviour have been received, suggesting the enforcement was effective. Vehicle‑related nuisance continues to be monitored across the district, and any new information is followed up to prevent issues from returning.

There are ongoing issues with trap racing on the A228, which usually takes place at weekends. While this area mainly falls under Maidstone Community Safety Unit, officers from Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells work closely together due to the shared border.

When on duty, officers attend regularly to monitor behaviour and take firm action where offences can be evidenced. Although police cannot physically prevent the road being used in this way, enforcement action is taken where dangerous riding is identified. Multiple Traffic Offence Reports have been issued, and a number of vehicles have also been seized as part of ongoing efforts to deter this behaviour.

Road safety concerns on the A228 continue to focus on groups of so‑called "boy racers". A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is in place, which allows officers to take action against behaviour such as dangerous driving, excessive noise and antisocial vehicle use.

Officers have been briefed to deal robustly with any offences identified. Where vehicle number plates are captured, details are shared with the council so they can consider issuing Community Protection Warnings or Community Protection Notices to the registered keepers.

A Community Protection Warning is a formal written warning that tells someone to stop behaviour that is having a negative impact on the community. If the behaviour continues, a Community Protection Notice can be issued, which is a legal notice requiring the behaviour to stop and setting out further consequences if it does not.

Patrols in this area remain focused on identifying high‑risk driving and preventing issues from escalating, with officers maintaining a visible presence during peak times.