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downsmail.co.uk Lost property ‘not police maer’
THEold saying of “finders keepers” might soon be rearing its ugly head, after a decision byKent Police not to take in lost property. As of June, the forcewill only ac-
cept property which could pose a threat to the public – such as weapons and firearms, documents and ID or goods believed to be as- sociated with crime. Finders of items such as lost purses, keys, jewellery and medi- cines will instead be advised to try to reunite the property with their owners via social media. The Taxpayers’Alliance is among
critics of the decision. Chief execu- tive Jonathan Isaby said: “Handing something – occasionally a very valuable something – into the po- lice is a wonderful example of good-natured community spirit and for the force to discourage that
is madness.” But a spokesman for Kent Police said: “Lost property is not a policematter.” Up to now, Kent Police has had
in the region of 9,000 items a year handed in – and 12,500 calls to the force control room regarding lost property. Yet, in spite of this, only 5% of
people are reunited with their items – and that is when they are clearly identifiable, such as bank cards. In future, the force recommends
using Facebook and Twitter – or producing posters – to reunite own- ers with their lost items instead. The spokesman said: “People
who find lost property are advised to take reasonable steps to reunite
it is with its rightful owner, such as advertising its discovery on social media and putting posters up in the area itwas found.” The police advise anyone who
loses property such as cash, ID, cards, handbags to re-trace their steps and contact any premises vis- ited to see if they have anything handed in. Pubs, clubs, hotels, public trans-
port and taxi companies, shops and supermarkets and schools tend to have their own procedures for deal- ing with lost property. If you lose a mobile phone, you should get it blocked as soon as possible, and credit cards should be cancelled immediately.
Do you think Kent Police should continue to take in lost property? Contact the editor on
stephen@downsmail.co.uk
Society’s record £100k grants for rural sector
Twinning gift
for mayor THE retiring Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Richard Thick, has been pre- sented with a memorable gift from members of the town’s twinning association. Maidstone is twinned with Beau-
vais and it was felt appropriate to make this presentation to mark the centenary of WorldWar I, when the allieswere closely entwined. Former Mayor of Maidstone
Mike FitzGerald is pictured pre- senting Cllr Thick (left) with a Book of Remembrance and a ceramic poppy from the River of Blood dis- play at the Tower of London. Members of the Maidstone-Beau-
vais Twinning Association put to- gether a collection which was bound in leather by skilled book- binder Mr FitzGerald. It contains a selection of photo- graphs taken in and around Maid- stone and Beauvais at the start of World War I and, with the poppy, commemorates the sacrifices made by Britain and France. The presentation mirrored one a month ago when members of the association travelled to Beauvais and presented books and poppies to the Mayor of Beauvais and to the Comite du Jumelage that organises the twinning events. Whilst memberswere there, they
laid a wreath in the military ceme- tery.
16 Maidstone Town June 2015
THEKent CountyAgricultural Soci- ety gave a record £100,000 worth of charitable grants and subsidies to the farming and rural sector in 2014. Katie Manvell from New Line Learning Young Farmers Club in Maidstone and GraceTwymanfrom Ashford both benefited from the HoosonAward, granted to a young person under 21 hoping to develop a career in the rural sector. Both are studying at Hadlow College. Daisy Fermor, from Homewood
School Farm, won the Lady Astor Award for best Kent young farmer of the year. The Kent County Show in July en-
ables the society to fund and support a variety of rural organisations. The society’s farming and educa-
tion committee organises the annual Living Land event which gives chil-
dren in years 3 and 4 the opportu- nity to experience rural life. The committee also makes a num-
ber of monetary awards each year, the largest being to Kent Young Farmers. During the previous five years the society has provided in ex- cess of £50,000 to young farmers clubs in Kent. The society has already awarded £10,000 for projects in 2015, which include trailers, flocks of lambs, sheep equipment, animal housing and fencing. The committee sponsors the Kent
Ploughing Championship, provides financial assistance to the Kent Branch of the Women’s Food and Farming Union to make school visits and provides bursaries for students to pursue a career in food, farming or the rural sector.
Police also advise using mobile tracking software to allow tracking of the phone. If you lose your keys – along with details of your address – you should consider getting your locks changed to ensure your property remains secure. Local community groups and charities will also feel the pinch. Twice a year the money raised in
Kent Police's property fund auction is distributed to local groups that provide a service to communities in the county. One of the recent recip- ients was Maidstone's YMCA, which received £400 in December to help purchase new play equip- ment. Further advice in relation to lost property can be found online at
www.kent.police.uk/reporting_az/l /pages/
lost_property.html.
Fatal accident
A FATHER-of-three has died in a head-on car accident in Boxley. David Rose (34) ofAlkham Road,
Vinters Park worked as a salesman andwas father to three children, in- cluding 15-year-old Callum and five-year-old Alysia. His white Ford Focus collided
with a red VW Golf in Pilgrims Way. Floral tributeswere laid at the scene and Michelle Parle – mother of Callum – said she was “heart- broken.”
Taoo scheme
PERMISSION was granted for a tattoo studio to operate from Ren- aissance Crafts at 16 Starnes Court, Union Street, Maidstone. The pottery painting enterprise is
run by Bearsted resident Geoff Li- cence and his son Tim.
FREE
A CHARITY that helps solve community conflicts has re- ceived a £14,000 donation fromKent Police and the Of- fice of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Maidstone Mediation offers a number of valuable services to people living in the Maidstone and Malling area, with the aim of resolving disputes between neigh- bours, families and within schools. Its work in this area means police are free to deal with
more serious offences and can spend more time provid- ing a visible presence within their local communities. The donation to the charity is made up of £3,000
from Kent Police’s west division, and £11,000 from the police and crime commissioner. Inspector Jody Gagan-Cook, of the Maidstone Com- munity Safety Unit, said: “Maidstone Mediation’s vol- unteers have provided an invaluable service to local people formany years now, and have been a huge help in resolving issues such as neighbourly disputes and low- level bullying offences in schools. “In the majority of cases, such conflicts can be easily
dealt with before they escalate, and that’s whereMaid- stone Mediation comes in, by bringing both parties to- gether and encouraging them to talk through their issues.” Ann Barnes, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner,
who is pictured with volunteers, said: “Volunteers who give up their time to help others are our unsung heroes and those at Maidstone Mediation make a fantastic contribution, which allows our police officers to spend more time exactly where people want to see them – out in our communities.”
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Police donation for mediation group
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