Cheriton and Morehall Police and PCSO Update: June 2010

9.00.12am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 1st Jul 2010

Please see below an update for the month of June, showing what we have been up to.

A Surgery was held on Friday 25th June with Cllr Tim Prater at Cheriton Library. Future dates include:

Saturday 3rd from 10:30am till 11:30am, at All Souls Church in Somerset Road

Wednesday 21st from 10:30am till 11:30am, at St Andrews Church in Surrenden Road

Friday 30th from 4.30pm till 5.30pm, at Cheriton Library in Cheriton High Street

Additional events, which local Officers will be attending for the July period, are:

Sunday 4th July: Christian Together Fun Day at Pent Valley Technology College

Saturday 10th July: Cheriton Primary Summer Fete

Friday 16th July: Morehall Primary Summer Fete

Tuesday 20th July: Harcourt Primary 'Harcourts Got Talent'

It is our pleasure to announce that PCSO Karen Tappenden has joined the Cheriton/Morehall team, replacing Officer Keith Sansum. Karen has over 3 years experience of working in the Folkestone area, with her specific ward being Harbour. Karen is looking forward to meeting all of you, and will no doubt make a strong asset to the current team.

On 04/06/10 PCSO's Mark Ball and Michelle Brady attended Sandgate Beach in relation to a report of persons drinking alcohol. Upon attending Mark and Michelle stopped and spoke with 7 individuals who had dozens of bottles of alcohol in their possession. The group were instructed to immediately dispose of the alcohol, which they complied with. All details were recorded and the group thanked for their cooperation.

Whilst conducting routine patrols of the Harbour area, a member of the public who had found a lost puppy and was unable to find the owner stopped Officers Michelle Brady and Mark Ball. Due to the dog being both chipped and having a contact number on the collar Officers were able to reunited the dog with the owners very quickly. The owners were unaware that their dog had escaped and were very pleased that it had been found.

PCSO Mark Ball attended the home address of a Cheriton Family whose 11yr old son has been displaying both verbal and physically aggressive behaviour towards them. Restorative justice was used and the boy agreed to a basic set of rules, which will be monitored by Officer Ball over a 4-week period.

On Wednesday 16th June 4 young persons from Pent Valley Technology College in relation to another student causing criminal damage to a parked vehicle stopped local officers Mark Ball and Karen Tappenden. The owner and suspect were quickly identified. Restorative justice is being looked into as a possible means of resolution.

On Tuesday 15th June PC Gavin Rolfe acted upon a compliant from a member of the public. The elderly gentleman stated that he had been given verbal abuse from a male riding a Moped. The male and the moped were traced he was warned for his reckless behaviour and informed that Police have the power to seize motor vehicles under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act. The elderly gentle man was grateful and happy with Police response.

PC Gavin Rolfe received reports from the manager of Taylors Chemist that PV youths have been hanging of the scaffolding outside. PC Rolfe spoke to the Head teacher of PV school he assured PC ROLFE that he would seen teachers to the location to reassure the manager of the chemist and to prevent this from re-occurring. Teacher's liaised directly with the manager of Taylors chemist the youths responsible were identified and the head teachers is now dealing with the incident personally.

During a period of 18 Months a vulnerable gentleman living on his own in Cheriton had been targeted by a number of nuisance youths. The youths had been banging on his gas vent located on the outside wall. During this period a number of crime reports had been raised for criminal damage to the gas vent. After speaking to this gentleman we agreed that covert cameras were feasible and could possible catch the offenders. The cameras were installed and quickly caught suspects on camera. The CCTV stills were shown to Pent Valley school who identified all those involved. PC Rolfe attended the home address of the youths he spoke to their parents and to the youths. It was agreed with the parents that the youths would apologise personally to the gentleman. PC Rolfe has since spoke to the gentleman he stated that all the youths has been to his house with their parents to say sorry. The gentleman was extremely pleased with the response from the parents and he has had no further problems to date.

Local Officers Mark Ball and Jo Baker attended the rear of Paydens Chemist and spoke with a large group of female youths who were loitering in the area. This area has been receiving reports of persons causing ASB. The group were given friendly words of advice and escorted to the local park.

Cheriton Officers Karen Tappenden and Mark Ball delivered crime prevention flyers to residents in Weymouth Road and Langdon Road following up on recent vehicle Thefts in the area. Residents who were at home were spoken to directly and provided with appropriate security advice about leaving valuable items in their vehicles.

PC Gavin Rolfe and PCSO's Karen Tappenden and Mark Ball conducted house-to-house Neighbourhood engagements within Chart Road, as well speaking with parents/guardians picking children up from outside Morehall School and were parking school zigzags. Residents were pleased to see their concerns were acknowledged resulting in Officers immediately speaking with persons regarding their parking.

Latest crime figures:

• Cheriton is currently -14.9% compared to last year

• Morehall is currently +8.3% compared to last year

So, overall we're just beating our crime figures for this time last year by approx. -7%

Please do not hesitate to contact us on the number or email provided. But please remember that if your call is urgent or an emergency dial 999.

We would like to thank you all for your support and wish you well.

PC Gavin Rolfe

Gavin.rolfe@kent.pnn.police.uk

07870252527

PCSO Karen Tappenden

Karen.Tappenden@kent.pnn.police.uk

07772226208

PCSO Mark Ball

Mark.ball@kent.pnn.police.uk

07772226055