Award for work
to protect young A KENT police detective has received an award from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. Det Chief
Insp Matthew Long was given the Outstand- ing Contribu- tion to Tracking Child Sexual Offenders award for his dedication in helping the or- ganisation safeguard children and hold offenders to account. He was nominated for his
work in establishing a risk as- sessment model – KIRAT – to measure the risk posed by indi- viduals suspected to be in- volved in the viewing, taking, making or distribution of child abuse images. It can also be used by investigators to assist with risk management, prioriti- sation and workload manage- ment within indecent images of children investigations. KIRAT is being rolled out
across the UK and is being ac- knowledged as a best practice tool amongst police forces. The awards, which have been presented to over 30 organisa- tions and individuals over the last four years, aim to recognise those who have gone the extra mile in tackling the sexual abuse of children.
Family houses left empty
THOUSANDS of empty proper- ties in the South East should be used to ease the problems of families waiting for social hous- ing, it has been claimed. Research by the campaigning
trades union GMB found there were almost 100,000 empty prop- erties in the region – of which 1,583 are in Maidstone and 1,016 in Tonbridge and Malling. There were 99,569 vacant dwellings in 67 areas in the South East region in October 2011 – 2.7% of all dwellings in the region. In England as a whole there
were 719,999 empty properties – 3.2% of the total stock. However, the South East is far
from being the worst offender, being placed eighth out of the nine English regions for the per- centage of vacant dwellings. But Paul Maloney, GMB re-
Conversion refused MAIDSTONE Council has re- fused an application to convert a former shop and store at 29 Old Tovil Road, Maidstone, into a self-contained flat. The council said Duncan Smyth’s schemewas of “poor de- sign and proposes a poor internal layout” andwas “out of character with the appearance of the host property and the surrounding street scene.”
gional secretary, said: “That there are 99,569 empty dwellings in the South East at a time when there is acute pres- sure on the housing market sig- nals that there are not enough penalties against leaving a prop- erty vacant.” The worst offender was Thanet, with 5.3% of properties empty, followed by Hastings with 4.4%. Medway was in ninth place with 3.4% empty. Maidstone came in at 39th out
of 67 local authorities with 2.4%, with Tonbridge and Malling at 56th,with just 2% of properties empty. Claire Boxall, from Golding Homes, which provides thema- jority of Maidstone’s social housing, said: “It is useful to have this kind of snapshot which shows Maidstone is doing reasonably well.
Offices to flats plan HAYWARDS Estates has ap- plied to convert first and sec- ond floor offices at Globe House, on the junction of Pud- ding Lane and Medway Street, Maidstone, into three flats. The proposal, which will be determined by Maidstone Council, also includes a second floor rear extension. No parking would be pro- vided.
“Like all social housing providers, we work hard to turn around properties quickly. However,we do sometimes have properties vacant if they are in a bad state of repair and need sig- nificant work. A survey carried out now would also show we have a high number of empty properties at ParkWood, as they are waiting to be demolished.” The statistics were compiled
by GMB using the housing flows reconciliation, which is collected annually from all local authori- ties outside London. The number of vacant dwellings was as ofOc- tober 3, 2011 and included short and long-term empty properties. Ms Boxall added: “The figures
do not reveal how many prop- erties are simply unfit for habi- tation, how many are privately owned and how many owned by social housing companies.”
Riding legacy ATHURNHAMequestrian cen- tre has been chosen to encour- age riders in the South East back into the saddle. Coldblow Equestrian Centre is
taking part in Take Back the Reins (TBTR), which offers les- sons delivered by riding schools as part of the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Hoof Legacy Project.
CHRISTMAS PARTY SETMENU 2012 Available from mid-November Starters
Parsnip, apple and chestnut soup with parsnip crisps and truffle oil Classic prawn cocktail, iceberg lettuce and prawn crisp
Kentish blue cheese and marinated beetroot tartlet poached hens egg, 8 year old balsamic and hollandaise sauce (v)
Homemade Kentish terrine of foie gras, game & ham hock, with scotch egg and toasted country bread and pear chutney
Mains
Butter roasted turkey, Goose fat Roasted potatoes, sage & onion stuffing, Pigs in blankets, seasonal vegetables and Red wine gravy
Rib of Kentish beef, Yorkshire pudding, goose fat roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables and red wine gravy
Pan-roasted fillet of sea bream on dill mashed potatoes, buttered spinach, roasted fennel and lemon butter sauce Wild mushrooms risotto, roasted Jerusalem artichokes and smoked garlic cream
Desserts
NEW AUTUMN RIVERSIDE MENU With more choice and set menu’s starting from £12 for 2 courses.
To see The Barge’s new restaurant menu, visit
www.the-barge.co.uk
Christmas pudding, brandy butter and Ginger sauce Chocolate and macadamia nut brownie with pistachio ice cream and vanilla panna cotta
Profiteroles filled with baileys cream with hot chocolate sauce Apple and quince crumble with cinnamon ice cream
Selection of cheese £2 Supp or £7 extra course OPENING TIMES
Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday: 12pm - 2.30pm* Evening Dining: Tuesday - Saturday: 6pm - 9.30pm* * Last Seating
6 Town
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
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