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Catapults ban a first in Kent


YOBS who smashed windows and streetlamps in East Malling have been banned from carrying cata- pults as police use new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Officers from Tonbridge and Malling community safety unit vis- ited seven addresses to issue civil in- junction warning letters, becoming the first in Kent to use the process. The documents were handed to youths in the presence of their par- ents or guardians and prevent them from behaving anti-socially and car- rying items likely to cause injury. Thewarnings are the first stage of


civil injunction procedures that po- lice and other agencies can now use. If the warnings are ignored, a full civil court injunction can be applied for. If granted, offenders could re- ceive a supervision or detention order for up to three months. The clampdown follows a joint operation between Kent Police and other agencies including Tonbridge and Malling Council and Circle Rus- set Housing. Anti-social incidents had been re- ported in Chapman Way, Twisden


Road and Carnation Crescent and at the East Malling Insititute in Mill Street. Sgt Ash Boxall said: “My officers


have worked hard over several months gathering evidence to use these new powers.We will continue to patrol the area in East Malling and monitor the activity of those in- volved for the next 12 months.” KCC reported a sharp rise in the number of repairs to street lights which had been vandalised with cat- apults and air rifles in the last 18 months, with at least 64 units in the East Malling area being smashed since the summer of 2014. The county council said the cost of emer- gency callouts to fix damaged lamps in the last two yearswas £21,000. KCCsaid catapults appeared to be


the most frequentweapon of choice but air pellets had been found on some occasions. The council was working with Kent Police which had conducted investigations and stepped up patrols and with Ton- bridge and Malling Council, which had installed CCTV cameras in the area.


News Thief caught in stolen shoes


A BURGLAR who raided a house in Snodland was arrested while wearing a pair of trainers stolen from the property. Peter Nicholls (21), from Southwark, south-east London, was


jailed for two years and four months at Maidstone Crown Court after he admitted two counts of burglary, as well as fraud and theft from a vehicle. He got into the house in Birling Road in


July through a window that had been smashed with a stone and stole cash and other items while the occupantswere out. A sat nav was also taken from a vehicle parked outside. Seven days later, he climbed through


the window of a property in The Ridge- way, Tonbridge, while the family were asleep. He took a laptop, video games, cash and a bank card. He was caught after he used the card to pass a barrier at Charing Cross railway station. Investigating officer Detective Constable Neil Buckle said: “The sentence should act as a warning to other would-be burglars that your crimes will catch up with you.”


Childminder’s good rating


CHILDMINDER Charlotte Tay- lor, of The Lakes, Larkfield main- tained her good Ofsted rating. She provided a range of activities


based on the chidren’s interests. Childrenwere motivated and made good progress. Relationships between staff and parents were good, with informa- tion shared daily. There was a good range of toys


and equipment which are used to help children learn new skills. The garden was a stimulating environ- ment that supported their well- being and good health. Behaviour managementwas said


to be effective, with children learn- ing to respect each other. The inspector said the service


could be improved by better avail- ability of technology resources.


Saturday 28th November 2015 Visit Santa in his Grotto at the


Christmas in Snodland


Pavilion Café, Cricket Meadow, Rocfort Road from 1pm – 4.30pm


Outdoor Christmas Market,


Hot Food & Refreshments with the Scout Group at Rocfort Road car park from 10.00am


Carol Singing with Snodland Choral Society In the High Street from 4.15pm


Lights turned on at 5.00pm by The Mayor of T&MBC and Father Christmas


Lights for Life forms available from Town Council Offices


Malling November 2015 21


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