Kent Police update September 2012 - Cheriton and Morehall

On Monday 3rd September 2012 at 21:20 hrs PCSO's Michelle Brady and Mark Ball stopped and spoke with a group of young persons who were drinking alcohol in the park. All alcohol was immediately seized and disposed of. The group were subsequently escorted from the park and instructed not to return that evening.

PCSO's Mark Ball and Michelle Brady stopped and spoke with 3 males who were in possession and drinking alcohol by the garage area of Tudor Road, Cheriton. The alcohol was disposed off and the persons were moved on from the area.

Whilst conducting high visibility foot patrol in Folkestone town centre, PCSO's Mark Wilson and Mark Ball attended Primark in relation to a report of Theft/Shoplifting. Two ladies were stopped in store, and all items were returned. Primark security subsequently banned the pair from the store.

On Saturday 22nd September 2012 whilst conducting high visibility foot patrol in the play park area situated between Firs Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue, PCSO's Patrick Wise and Mark Ball stopped a group of young persons who were drinking and lighting a fire by play equipment. The fire was quickly put out and all persons were warned regarding their conduct. Parents/guardians were also spoken with.

Whilst on an Operation in Folkestone town centre, PCSO's Patrick Wise and Mark Ball were alerted to a male with learning difficulties that had locked himself out of his property. Officers attempted to contact a carer who had a spare key but received no reply. Officers drove the male to his former residential home in Lympe where they were able to make alternative arrangements and subsequently were able to gain entry to the man's property.

On Sunday 23rd September 2012 PCSO Mark Ball attended a busy store in Bouverie Place, Folkestone in relation to a report of a male acting suspiciously. A male was stopped who was found to have hidden an item of store clothing. The individual was providing with a warning and banned from the store.

PCSO's Gary Carr and Mark Ball attended ASDA stores in Folkestone, in relation to a possible Handbag Theft. The owner, who was with her family in the stores Café, had left her bag on her chair whilst getting some food. Upon her return the bag was missing, and store security were alerted. A member of public approached the officers advising them that he had found the bag, believing it to have been left behind. He was planning on taking the bag to the local police station. The bag was given back to the owner and check, all items were present.

High Visibility Patrols:

Current crime statistics are: When compared with last years crime figures Cheriton is down by 9.9% and Morehall is also down by 4.1%. Despite these very encouraging statistics there still remains an on going issue with Theft/Shoplifting and Criminal Damage, which are both higher than last years recorded figures.

The majority of criminal damage is still the subject of people under the influence of drink and/or drugs, especially surrounding groups between the ages of 14 - 17 yrs old. Reports of Theft/Shoplifting have come predominantly from Tesco Store, The Coop and One Stop. As a result targeted patrols are being conducted in:

• Cheriton Park
• Cheriton High Street
• Tesco Store
• The Coop
• One Stop

Local officers Karen Tappenden and Mark Ball will continue to liaise with partner agencies, local Neighbourhood Watch coordinators, shop managers and their respective teams.

SURGERY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Surgery:

Wednesday 31^st October 2012 at St Andrews Church from 10:30 - 11:30 hrs