Neil Matthews questions Police on Cheriton robberies during Folkestone Station visit

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 27th Jul 2008

Neil Matthews recently spent a day at the Folkestone Police headquarters, including a morning briefing with Chief Inspector Ivan Pickering, a tour of the headquarters and visit to the Community Safety Unit where a multi-agency approach is taken dealing with all kinds of community problems, from dog fouling to ASBOs.

Later, Neil, accompanied PCSO Karen Tappenden on her 'beat' along Tontine Street and around many areas of Harbour Ward.

Neil later had a one-to-one briefing with Chief Inspector Pickering where policing across Shepway generally and particularly in Cheriton was discussed. Cheriton High Street has experienced two high profile robberies recently, and Inspector Pickering updated Neil on the latest situation and arrests so far made.

Operation Stack was also discussed, and the considerable police resources that putting the operation into place uses. Works are currently ongoing to complete a moveable barrier on the London-bound carriageway of the M20 between junctions 12 and 11 which it is intended will allow for two way running of the motorway even when lorries are being stacked on the coast-bound carriageway.

Neil thanked the Chief Inspector and all the Police and staff that made the visit informative and enjoyable.