Merger of 999 control rooms offers ‘benefits’


Established 1946


A FIRE chief has issued an assurance that response times will not be underminedwhen his service shares an emergency control room with Kent Police. All 999 calls are to be answered at the police control room in Maidstone from next February under plans to create "a more re- silient and efficient service". Steve Demetriou, director of operations at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), said it would not affect the time it takes to respond to emergencies. He said: "As far as the public are concerned, they will notice no difference to the excellent service we already deliver." Andy Adams, Kent’s assistant chief constable said: "Experience


has shown the considerable benefits that this arrangement will bring to both services, especially during major incidents." The decision to merge the two control rooms follows the scrap-


ping of a project to move KFRS to a regional base in Hampshire. It is hoped the joint control room will allow police officers and firefighters to work more closely, by implementing lessons learnt during the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London. KFRS will now have access to the same communications network used by the police, as well as the countywide CCTV network.


New archdeacon welcomed


A WELCOMING service was due to take place for the Vener- able Stephen Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Maidstone. The 55-year-old, married to


Julie, will be responsible for the church's work with com- munities, including forming partnerships with local author- ities and voluntary groups. His most recent role was as Canon Provost of Sunderland Minster and Honorary Canon of Durham Cathedral. He was officially welcomed


to his new role as Downs Mail went to press.


‘Perfect timing’ of £9,000 cannabis raid


TWO people were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis after officers from Kent Police executed a warrant at an address in Grecian Street, Maidstone. A 56-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from Maid-


stone, were arrested after mature cannabis plants were discov- ered growing at a residential property. The haul is estimated to have a street value in the region of £9,000. The two were arrested and bailed to report back to police on October 27. The equipment used to cultivate the cannabis was dismantled. Detective Inspector Emma Banks said: “Every cannabis factory


that we shut down reduces the quantity of cannabis available in Kent. This crop was almost ready for harvesting so the timing of the information we received was perfect. “We rely on the support of the public in alerting us to suspi-


cious activity and in this case have been able to promptly arrest two people and destroy their crop of plants.”


Takeaway refused MAIDSTONE Council has blocked the introduction of a Nepalese restaurant and take- away proposed for 37 Union Street, Maidstone. The planning department said:


“The proposed flue, by virtue of its scale, positioning and indus- trial appearance, would cause unacceptable visual harm to the character and appearance of the locally listed terrace and the HolyTrinityConservationArea.” The building is currently a Cats Protection League shop.


Driving illegally PATRICK Cash, 20, of Boxley Road, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to driving in Headcorn while disqualified and without third party insurance. Between July 8 and 9 last year,


Cash illegally drove a Vauxhall Combo Van along the High Street. Magistrates sentenced him to 140 days in prison, sus- pended for 18 months. He was also disqualified from driving for three years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 costs.


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