Alcohol seized in Herne Bay

More than one hundred litres of alcohol has been taken from under age drinkers in Herne Bay over the last month.
The beer, spirits and “alcopops” have been seized as neighbourhood police teams worked to ensure that the school holidays did not result in a rise in criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the town.
Community support officers and police officers have been patrolling the town and surrounding area at weekends and groups of young people have been stopped and names taken when alcohol has been found.
Insp Gordon Etheridge said: “The officers have been particularly paying attention to open spaces including the beach, play areas and areas in the town centre where groups have traditionally gathered.
“We have seen a reduction in the number of problems reported to us but it is disappointing to see that young people are still getting hold of alcohol, some of it seemingly supplied with the full knowledge of parents. Youngsters also seem to be telling their parents that they are staying at friends’ houses when in fact they are roaming the streets in large groups. We would ask parents to ensure that they know where their children are and what they are doing.”
On Saturday a large amount of alcohol was seized when up to 200 people attended a house party in Beltinge.
Police are now working on plans to continue the patrols as the weather improves and evenings get longer. Together with other agencies in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) officers are looking at organising different activities for teenagers including under 18 club nights and drop-in centres.

Man charged after Whitstable shop arrest

The man arrested in the post office and shop in Castle Road, Whitstable, early yesterday morning (Monday 21 April 2008) has been charged with burglary. Chad Gazi (29) of Norview Road, Whitstable, is due to appear before magistrates on 8 May 2008.

Five due in court after Canterbury fight

Five men are due to appear before magistrates in Canterbury on Friday 9 May 2008 after police were called to break up a fight in the city’s St George’s Street  in the early hours of Monday morning (21 April 2008).
The five are charged with assault. They are Flavius Frant (20) of Roper Road, Canterbury, (three offences of assault); Liviu Ionescu (18) of Kent Avenue, Canterbury, (one offence); Nurettin Reis (18) of no fixed address (two offences); Stepan Lupu (19) of Northgate, Canterbury, (one offence) and Direnc Ozkulac (18) of North Holmes Road, (two offences).

Kent Police launches major offensive on heavy machinery thieves

Kent Police is working with the construction, farming, insurance, security and transport industries, as well as the public, to reduce the theft of heavy machinery.

It is part of a major drive to stop specialist gangs stealing the valuable equipment from building sites, farms and lay-bys.

Officers are giving crime prevention help and advice to major local authorities and the industries such as encouraging them to security mark their machinery. They also want people to be extra vigilant and report anything suspicious, like mechanical diggers being moved in the middle of the night. People should call the police on 999 if a crime is in progress or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in all other cases.

Heavy machinery includes excavators, forklift trucks, grass cutters, tractors, generators, cement mixers and road breakers. A single piece of equipment can cost as much as £300,000 which is why theft is increasing nationally as gangs target what they see as a lucrative source of cash.

As well as loss and disruption to the industry, the theft of heavy machinery can have a significant impact on the lives of the wider community.

Inspector Roscoe Walford said: ‘Roadworks last longer when machinery is stolen causing traffic delays and diversions. This affects people taking their children to school, shoppers, commuters and people generally going about their daily lives.

‘People find it harder to get builders and other tradesmen to do work for them because insurance companies demand high premiums or won’t insure businesses because of the increasing number of claims they make.

‘If businesses cannot get insurance, people can lose their jobs.’

Kent Police officers, and their national colleagues, are about to begin a series of concerted crime prevention and enforcement activity to disrupt the gangs that steal heavy machinery including:

• Visiting building sites and farms to offer crime prevention advice. For instance, the obvious removal of stickers can indicate attempts to conceal identity and origin of  stolen machinery
• Providing crime prevention messages about machinery security via the Kent Community Messaging system such as marking machinery with U/V pens
• Advice to make machinery distinctive with paint and lots of livery stickers as a disincentive to steal
• Using security devices such as datatag, a transponder fitted to the vehicle with a unique reference number relating to that item of machinery. Alternatively, satellite tracker technology can be used to find the stolen machine
• Using an ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) approved marking scheme called CESAR (Construction Equipment Security and Registration). Details are available on the Construction Equipment Association website www.coneq.org.uk
• Late night cargo checks of all large vehicles along targeted sections of road and at strategic locations
• Additional police checks at the Channel Tunnel

 

It is believed that stolen machinery is being shipped to Europe where equipment is in short supply and will be used on large building projects within the UK in the lead up to the Olympics.

Inspector Walford said: ‘The messages are simple. We want the industries concerned and the public to work with us to prevent crime and we will provide the expertise and resources where necessary.

‘In addition, if you belong to a gang that steals heavy machinery we are watching you and will do everything possible to bring you before the courts.

‘At the very least we can disrupt criminal activity and at best we can bring people to justice.’

Heavy machinery owners, contractors and hirers can obtain advice about security measures by contacting Julie Argent, Crime Reduction Project Manager on 01622 653205 or their local police station and ask to speak to their Crime Reduction Officer.