Crime ‘moving to rural areas’ Iggy’s bolt from past! Continued from page one


model, to start from mid-November, Maid- stone will get more officers – and more of them will be seen on the streets. Despite pressure on police resources, Ch


Insp Griffiths said he would have five inspec- tors (currently two); 15 sergeants (five now); 68 constables (21 now); and probably 30 PCSOs (22.5 now) at his disposal. Aspokesman for Kent Police said this was possible due to a restructuring of administra- tive departments: “We are looking to reduce staff across the force. There will be some losses but not in the policing element.” Kent Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said:


"This shows that sort of commitment in spe- cific numbers at Maidstone." The borough will be split into three sectors –


East and West, each with five sergeants, 25 PCs and 14 PCSOs; and the Town with three sergeants (two now) and 25 PCs (six now), plus an extra PCSO. More good news:


Three out of every four burglaries are being detected (74.5%). "That rates us among the top in the country, not just the county. That's an astounding detection rate," said Ch Insp Griffiths. Vehicle crime – 49% detection rate, sec- ond in Kent. Theft –130 fewer town centre offences. Ch Insp Griffiths said this year there had been 52 fewercrimes–a21% drop –in Shepway North and a similar success in Shepway South. He said diverting youth from crime is “ab- solutely key” and cited the Isle of Sheppey, where he was previously based, as an exam- ple. Creating interests for young people in boxing, rowing and rugby clubs had re- sulted in a 17% crime reduction.


A DINOSAUR that roamed the Maidstone area 140million years ago may resurface as amascot to generate interest in theOlympic torch's procession through the county town next summer. The iguanadon – known as Iggy – has


been linked with Maidstone since remains were found here in 1834. It led to the first skeletal reconstructions of the creature. Cllr Martin Cox, chairman of the town's


river festival, is on the committee looking at howtomakeJuly19, theday thetorch passes throughMaidstone, a high-profile oc- casion.


He said: “We need to come up with a


brand for Maidstone, just for the torch, maybe something to do with the iguanadon. Iggy emerged as a character at the festival in the 1980s. “We could revive Iggy and have him car-


rying the torch.” Cllr Cox said a children’s art competition


might be run, with tickets going to the win- ning school. But entrants should bear in mind that the 3-tonne iguanadon was no Usain Bolt. It had powerful legs but they were not built for running.


Tom helps to raise the roof


OLYMPICS medal hopeful Tom Daley hopes generous Headcorn folk will splash out to put a roof over their primary school pool. The young diving star


has done his bit by draw- ing a postcard for a char- ity art auction at the school on October 15. The school PTFA event


Headcorn pupil Beth Ride- halgh holds the pictures from Tom Daley and Kirsten O’Brien


will have 100 lots, includ- ing items from other celebrities such as signed, doodled items from Rolf Harris, Nick Park and Gerald Scarfe as well as a painting from TV presen- ter Kirsten O’Brien. Local artist Katy Fryd,


of Knaves Acre, one of the auction organisers whose daughter attends the


school, said: “I know Tom is hoping for gold in the Olympics next year and I’m hoping his picture will attract a pot of gold, too.” The PTFA aims to raise


as much as possible to- wards the £90,000 scheme. Katy said: “We’ve some beautiful and diverse items up for auction, from both professional and local artists. The lucky winners will be going home with bargains.” The auction preview is


open 11am-5pm for prospective purchasers to browse and put in early bids. The auction starts at 7pm. Entry is free.


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