News


downsmail.co.uk Armed police on patrol Lightning fire


ARMED police were seen on the streets of Maidstone as the national terror threat remained at “severe” following the Manchester terror at- tack.


Extra patrols, including armed of-


ficers,were arranged across Kent in response to the heightened terrorist risk.


Back-up for Kent Police has also


been provided by Ministry of De- fence officers. The force said it was liaising with


the Home Office to regularly assess the national threat level and what that means for the county.


The UK terror threat level was


raised to “critical” after the suicide bomb attack in Manchester on May 22, butwas later reduced to “severe” which means an attack is highly likely. A Kent Police spokesman said: “ “Following the events in Manches- ter onMay22 and the decision to in- crease the national threat level to `critical’, work is underway to make sure Kent remains a safe place. “This work is part of an agreed,


and well-rehearsed national plan. Kent Police already deploys highly- visible firearms officers at key loca-


Sweet success for Roger’s bees


THE glorious weather is good news for bees, according to Roger Sawtell (pictured) whose three hives at Hunton have produced a healthy first crop of honey for the year. Roger was treated to 70lbs of


honey this month, which will be followed by a similar harvest later in the year. The 78-year-old is enjoying


keeping bees after standing down at the end of last year from many years on Hunton Parish Council, the last 19 as chairman. The new


chairman is Gary Thomas, who is also the chairman of the Maidstone branch of CPRE. Roger said: “I’m relatively new to


this but I’m really enjoying it and the bees have been particular busy producing honey and providing a welcome product to sell at our fund-raising events.” Forthcoming village events include Hunton Village Fete, at the King George V Playing Fields on West Street, which is on Saturday, June 17, from 2-5pm.


tions in the county as part of our cur- rent deployment, and as a result of this on-going work, additional po- lice officer patrols are being arranged. “Our sympathies remain with


those affected by the events in Man- chester, but we ask people to con- tinue to enjoy our county and stay alert, not alarmed. This threat level applies to the whole of the UK and not any specific area. As such, the whole UK public should remain alert and vigilant and report any- thing suspicious by calling the Anti Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.”


A HOMEOWNER from Staple- hurst had to shelter with neigh- bours as firemen tackled a roof blaze which was started by a light- ning strike during the bank holiday storms. Crewswere called to the house in Chapel Lane at just before 2am on Bank Holiday Monday, after light- ning hit the house, causing electric cables and pipework inside to ex- plode and setting the roof alight. The occupant smelled smoke and dialled 999 before fleeing the prop- erty. Four fire engines and about 16 firefighters attended and put the fire out.


Thermal scanning equipment


was then used to check for hot spots and crews were able to leave by 4.15am. Fire damage was caused to the


roof and some water damage to lower floors, and the original strike damaged wiring.


Bells ring out


HEADCORNVillage Hall will ring to the sound of handbells on Satur- day, June 17, when the village team hosts a rally for ringers from throughout the south-east region. The teams will be playing a num-


ber of pieces together, including new compositions, as well their “party pieces”, from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.


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