News


downsmail.co.uk Fob failure sparks mystery AMASSfailure of key fobs across Maidstone has left motorists scratching their heads in bewilderment.


No one seems to know why the devices have failed, despite having previously been in good working order. The issue was first reported ear-


lier this month at Quarry Wood In- dustrial Estate in Aylesford, when motorists visiting stores such as PC World, Halfords and Sainsbury were unable to lock their cars. But there were other reports of


fob failure in Romney Place, Maid- stone, and Alexander Grove in Kings Hill, according to police. A Kent Police spokesman said:


“It doesn’t appear that the Ayles- ford Retail Parkwas reported to us. “However,we received two calls on September 1 reporting issues


Warning after


jewel thefts KENT Police iswarning families to protect their homes in thewake of a string of burglaries in which ex- pensive jewellery and gold were taken. The force says that for the last


two years they have seen a pattern of burglaries across the autumn months in which those celebrating religious festivals have been tar- geted.


Many of the victims were from


Asian households, and there was evidence of homes being targeted while the occupants were out cele- brating Diwali, Navratri and the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha. Officers – keen to prevent a re-


peat performance – are appealing for everyone to play their part by keeping their homes and valuables secure. Kulbir Pasricha, community liai-


son co-ordinator at Kent Police, said: “To know someone has been inside your home and rifling through your personal possessions can be completely devastating, with the matter made worse when the items stolen are not only valu- able but also highly sentimental and of cultural significance.” The value of items taken during previous raids have, in some cases, exceeded tens of thousands of pounds, with most entries gained on weekdays during daylight hours. He urged homeowners to keep


large amounts of cash or gold out of the house, such as in a safety de- posit box at a bank, adding: “If you do need to keep high-value items at home then keep them in a good quality safe, bolted to a solid wall or floor and hidden in a cupboard.”


Formore local news


www.downsmail.co.uk 14


Malling September 2016 Cars star at vintage show


THE ninth annual Classic Cars and Retro Vintage had its most successful year yet and raised more than £3,000 for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. Hundreds of visitors flocked to Bearsted Green see the 200 classic cars


and visit the vintage stalls. The more energetic even danced along with the Medway Lindy Hoppers,


who entertained crowds throughout the day. The event is organised by local resident and classic car enthusiast Philip


Hill, with help fromBarbara Dunford, of Kent Community Events. The PeterWillson Trophy for the Best in Showwas awarded to Keith Hoffman, for his 1954 Bentley R type saloon. Pictured here is Phil Fulker, of Aylesford, with his 43-year-old Triumph TR6 which he got as a “bag of bits” and took him three years to reassemble.


with car keys not working in Rom- ney Place, Maidstone, and in Alexander Grove, Kings Hill. However, no offences have been re- ported.” The key fob failure was news to


Kerry Heard, of Pat Heard Garage Service in Bearsted, who said: “It’s a strange one and I have never come across it before. “I wouldn’t have thought the big retailers would be very happy if their customers were using the car park and not being able to lock their cars. It’s bound to knock their business.” In recent years, householders ex- perienced a similar problem in a residential area of Southampton.


In that case, the government agency Ofcom found interference from a resident's faulty device which transmits a TV signal to other sets in the home was to blame. The device was switched off and


the key fobs worked once more. The Timpson’s branch inside the


Aylesford Sainsbury store report- edly did a roaring trade in replace- ment key fob batteries. Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch, a regular shopper at Quarry Wood, said she had not been contacted by any constituents. She added: “I also shop there


fairly often and it hasn’t hap- pended to me.”


Choral date


AN INTERNATIONAL concert of English and German choral mas- terpieces will be presented at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 8. Kent Chamber Choir, conducted


by musical director Alan Vincent, will be joined by acclaimed choir from Wuppertal, Kantorei Barmen- Gemarke, making its first visit to the UK.


Founded in 1946, the Kantorei


has a widening reputation for its performance of European choral sacred music from Renaissance to modern eras. Its conductor and artistic director since 1993, Wolf- gang Klasener, has studied and performed church music through- out his career, winning several in- ternational competitions. Entitled “Iwas glad, Songs of Joy


and Reflection”, the concert will in- clude music by Handel, Parry, Bach and Britten. Tickets at £15 (£5 for children and full-time students) will be available on the door or from Rebecca Moate on 07715 399320 or rebecca- moate@hotmail.co.uk.


Missing dad found safe and well


A RELIEVED family have ex- pressed thanks for the support they received during a nationwide search for missing businessman Ricky Fran- comb (left). Mr Fran-


comb, from Snodland, was found safe and well after not being seen for 10 days. The 56-year-


old, who runs Francombs Sand- wich Shop on the Medway City Estate at Rochester, had last been


seen driving a branded company car near a petrol station on the A228, heading towards the M20, onWednesday,August 24. Police issued appeals for more information about his where- abouts after reports of possible sightings on the M4. His son Paul took to Facebook to


boost the appeal for news of his father, who is a keen fisherman and could have been heading to a lake somewhere. After his father was found safe


andwell, Paul posted the family’s thanks on Facebook. He said: “The overwhelming re-


sponse we have had in regards to my Dad has been amazing. “On behalf of all my family and myself we would like to thank each and every one of you.We are now taking the necessary steps to ensure Dad returns safely home. Thank you once again.” Kent Police confirmed that Mr Francomb had been found safe andwell. Mr Francomb’s sandwich bar


and catering firm has been recog- nised with “Sammies” – the Os- cars of the sandwich industry – at the Independent Sandwich Bar of the Year awards.


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