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Police pleased by cut in crime rate


CRIME in the Maidstone area fell by nearly 7% during the past year – though there was a rise in burglary, theft and drug offences. The total number of recorded


crimes, during the 12 months to this summer, was 19,093 compared to 20,504 the previous year, a drop of 6.9%. “That means 1,411


fewer victims of crime," said area commander Chief Supt Matthew Nix (pictured). "This equates to almost 30 fewer crimes each week, a reduction we are very proud of.” Criminal damage cases fell by


819 (17.9%), down from 4,578 to 3,759. Robbery fell by 12.3% with 17 fewer offences, down from 138 to 121. Total violent crime was also


down by 10.7%, falling from 4,187 offences across the Mid Kent area to 3,738 the previous year. But there was an increase (23.2%) in burglary to homes, up by 177 offences from 763 to 940.


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Why Charlie is top dog in


The number of most serious sexual offences increased by 18 (up 11.7%), from 154 crimes to 172. And though theft from the person offences and theft of pedal cycles decreased, total other theft cases rose by 4.3% (208 offences) from 4,814 to 5,022. Drug of- fences were also up, by 11.4%, from 731 to 814. But knife crime fell.


Mid Kent recorded 53 crimes involving a knife or sharp instrument in


July 2009 to June 2010 com- pared to 66 in the previous 12 months. Vehicle crime fell by 502 of- fences from 2,623 to 2,121, down 19.1%. Ch Supt Nix said: “We are


pleased with these figures al- though there is no room for complacency. The good work doesn’t stop here and we will continue to do our utmost to re- duce crime in Mid Kent.” Ch Supt Nix said the rise in


theft offences across Kent had coincided with an increase in metal prices.


the Commons MAIDSTONE MP Helen Grant has something special to bark about – she's the proud owner ofWestminster's top dog. Charlie, her five-year-old bor-


der terrier, was rewarded for his "paw-litical" prowess by win- ning the annual competition run by the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club. Helen, who lives in Marden,


said: "Charlie is an avid cam- paigner. He protested alongside me against proposals to close Maidstone's maternity services and loyally joined my prede- cessor Ann Widdecombe and me on the campaign trail in all weathers."


KCC leader Cllr Paul Carterwas given permission to convert an outbuilding into a new dwelling at his home in Langley – despite it being contrary to Maidstone Council’s develop- ment plan. Maidstone’s policy is broadly


to prevent housing develop- ments in the open countryside, and Cllr Carter’s home in Lang- ley Park Farm off Sutton Road is 500m from the boundary of the urban border of the town. But the officer’s report said: “Although designated as open countryside in the local plan, to my mind the immediate sur- roundings are not of particu- larly rural character. “Indeed, it is not an isolated or open area, but instead the


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


She added: "I'm so proud of Charlie for winning - he cele- brated with a juicy bone."


Leader given home consent


building is seen as part of a group of residential properties, comprising the farmhouse, other converted farm buildings and a number of cottages to the west of the site.” It was also felt that the pro-


posal had been “sensitively de- veloped” and was sustainable because it was well-served by public transport via a track leading to the A274 Sutton Road. Maidstone’s planning committee unanimously backed the application.


Gypsy caravan plan GYPSY William Lee has ap- plied to site two caravans on land east of the A229 Linton Hill, on the junction of Stile- bridge Lane, Linton.


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