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village PCSO MEET Bearsted’s new PCSO Tim Gurr. Tim (23)was brought up and ed- ucated in Cranbrook and has also lived in Staplehurst.


His previous job PCSO Tim Gurr


in the building trade took him all over Kent, how- ever, and he has spent quite a bit of time in the county town. He said: “I was looking for an ex-


citing job that would giveme chal- lenges and which would be different from day to day. “Everyone wants to feel safe and


get on with their lives in their com- munities and I wanted to be a part of making that happen.” Having successfully applied for


the post in the spring, Tim spent eight weeks at the police training college, followed by nine weeks working with a tutor, before taking up his role in Bearsted at the begin- ning of October. When he is not out and about serving the community, he plays football for a local team and enjoys riding his 600cc motorcycle. Dog lover Tim owns a terrier and


is also looking forward to introduc- ing his four-legged friend to the Woodland Trust and some of the beautiful walks around Bearsted.


Tree ‘no value’ A PROTECTED cypress tree could be removed at 2a Mount Lane, Bearsted. A planning application says the


tree “has no amenity value, the main trunk branches are now split- ting and there is a danger of these falling onto the adjoining footpath and also the public footpath at the rear of the property. Both these footpaths are busy with people at- tending the memorial hall.” It added: “The branches shade


the garden and are now growing over the roof of the bungalow. I would like to fell this tree and re- place it with two beech trees and a holly tree, which is in keeping with the other trees in the garden.” Maidstone Council will deter- mine the application.


Staff get together for tea


A TEA party was held to mark a total of 380 years of loyal service clocked up by members of staff at the Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club in Bearsted. General manager, Michael Regenhardt, held the celebration to thank


the long-serving employees, some of whom had been with the hotel since it opened 26 years ago. New recruits who had joined the hotel within the last 12 months were also invited. Michael, who joined the hotel as general manager just over a year ago,


said: “I felt it was a good opportunity for our newest recruits to get to know each other and share experience with our long-timers.”


THE new Next store at Eclipse Park, off M20 Junction 7, was due to open on Thursday, November 20.


Villagers’ thanks for clean-up day


MAIDSTONE Council’s cleansing team have re- ceived a pat on the back from villagers in Wormshill, following a village clean-up. George Gray and his team from the borough council helped villagers collect five sacks of rub- bish from the roadside – more than organisers Simon and Jane Bass had expected. So thrilled were the residents with their new


spick and span neighbourhood, that they wrote to the cabinet member for environmental health Cllr


Marion Ring to express their gratitude. MrBass wrote: “It is nice to run an event like this


and have a positive attitude to the local council, which is as it should be, rather than the criticism which one often hears.We hope to make this a reg- ular event as it keeps the village clean as well as bringing people together. “Thanks for your support - and that of George


Gray. Everyone was very pleased with your sup- port and the provision of the equipment.


Police will face more cuts, says crime chief


THE local chief superintendent says more cuts are likely, despite the police force losing almost 20% of its budget in the past three years.


Kent Police’s previous £300m budget has been cut by £70m after two separate spending reviews: £50m was trimmed in 2011 and £20m this year. Steve Corbishley, Chief Superin- tendent ofWest Kent Division, says this has resulted in the loss of 500 police officers and 1,000 police sup- port workers in the county. He added:“We anticipate further


cuts by the Government.” But the force has so far managed


to cope, he insists. “Kent has con- centrated on investing in and main- taining frontline and local policing, which is provided by 13 district teams in the county, and to protect resources in areas such as serious and organised crime,” he added. “We are maintaining 24/7 polic-


ing. Each district team is led by a chief inspector with frontline offi- cers, CID and PCSOs.”


Supt Corbishley said most of the


jobs lostwere the result of “natural wastage” – retirements and volun- tary redundancies. Some members of staff had moved to other depart- ments within the organisation. “While we can’t


Ch Supt Steve Corbishley


deny that there has been a reduc- tion in resources, we have tried to maintain frontline services,” he said. “One of our


areas of focus is to reduce the de- mand in areas such as anti-social behaviour by working closely with other agencies. A significant amount of repeat business is deal- ing with people with mental health problems. We have been working closely with mental health groups to reduce the demand.


“We are also looking at areas


such as technology and investing in IT, allowing officers to do work at a crime scene they would have pre- viously had to return to the police station to do. “Shared services with other


forces have also helped us deliver services in a differentway. “We are looking at PCSOs and


what additional work they can pro- vide to help victims of crime. They are very popular in local communi- ties and remain an essential part of policing in Kent.” Although he anticipates more


cuts in the future, Supt Corbishley says none are planned in forthcom- ing budgets. “We are still recruit- ing,” he said. “I welcome new officers in the


force and am taken aback by the many different skills people from all backgrounds can offer us.”


Ball bearing


aack on car POLICE are appealing for informa- tion after a motorist was pursued through Shepway and her vehicle pelted with ball bearings. The 25-year-old woman noticed


her Vauxhall Corsa was being fol- lowed as she drove towards Mote Park. The occupants of the other car then used a catapult to fire ball bearings at her vehicle. A 22-year-old and a 28-year-old


man – both believed to be known to the victim – have been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal dam- age and released on police bail until November 27 while enquiries con- tinue.


Police want to hear from anyone


who may have seen a small green car following the victim’s black Vauxhall Corsa on the afternoon of September 24, or who saw items being fired at the car. Anyone with any information should call 01622 604282, quoting reference YY/19500/14, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


Volunteer call


MAIDSTONE and District Neigh- bourhood Watch needs a new treasurer and secretary. These are voluntary but very rewarding roles. If you are interested, please contact Neighbourhood Watch chairman Jim Wilson on 01622 693346.


Maidstone East December 2014 43


News


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