News


downsmail.co.uk Travellers take over village green


CARAVANS moved ontoAylesford recreation ground hours after council officials obtained court orders to shift travellers on from a park in the centre of a nearby village. The unwelcome visitors turned


the half-term holidays into an un- pleasant experience, according to homeowners at Eccles, who have been clearing the chaos and mess left by the traveller encampment on their community field. The travellers, dogs and a dozen


caravans finally pulled off the vil- lage playing field as Tonbridge and Malling Councilwere about to serve an eviction order. Once gone, the community ral-


lied and worked to clean up the mess left in the travellers’ wake. One resident said: “There was a


lot of rubbish. Villagers have put cleaning fluid in the alleyway by the park, which was used heavily by our guests, to make it safe again for everyone. “I believe the gate has been made


secure by Aylesford Parish Coun- cil and people are out enjoying our green again. Unfortunately, I be- lieve they may have simply moved on to somewhere nearby.” Aylesford Parish Council thanked residents for working to


Spaniel thefts


THREEpeople have been charged in connection with the theft of two springer spaniels from Birling. The dogs, Percy and Stan, were


stolen from a property offPark Farm Road in January. They were recov- ered by police and returned to their owners. Three residents of Bow Road,Wa- teringbury, have been charged. AmosBeaney (26)was charged with the theft of both dogs and with han- dling lead flashing reported stolen from a commercial address in Sta- plehurst in February. Stephen Spain (29) was charged


with handling stolen goods, namely the dogPercy. Lillie Eastwood (48) is accused of handling stolen goods, namely the dog, Stan. They are due to appear at Med- way Magistrates’ Court on June 20.


Store break-in


FOUR men were arrested after a burglary at a Snodland store. Kent Policewere called to a break-


in at the Co-op in Snodland High Street on June 6. A door was smashed to gain entry and cigarettes and tobaccowere stolen. Less than three hours later, officers


were called to an address in Dart- ford where four men were arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft. They remain in police custody. Anyone with information is asked


to call 01622 604100 quoting refer- ence 06-0083 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


4 Malling June 2017 Pupils get lowdown on news


BUDDING journalists and politicians were given the chance to meet the editor of the Downs Mail and quiz him about the role of newspapers at election time. Simon Finlay came to school on Thursday May 25 and met the candidates taking part in The Malling School election. He talked to the students about


his career in journalism – both at national and local level, as well as his experience of working with politicians. Questions from pupils included:


“How did you start off in journalism?” and “What was your most dangerous experience?”


Mr Finlay said: “I was pleased to


see that so many pupils read newspapers, including DownsMail, and are interested in the news. The pupils showed an impressive grasp on current affairs.” Head teacher Carl Roberts said:


“We were delighted to welcome Simon to The Malling School. It is an invaluable experience for our pupils to meet and talk to professionals about their careers.” Our picture shows Simon Finlay


with George Bennet, Cerys Ocsko, Aaliyah Kennedy, Henry Cox, Emma Stone, Kamleish Chockalingum-Jones and Miranda Money-Noriega.


and putting it out of bounds to youngsters.” There were also reports of items allegedly being stolen from the vil- lage store, litter strewn everywhere and bushes near the village skate park being used as a communal toilet. The woman added: “People are having to turn their outside water off because they are being asked by the travellers if they can fill their containers. “There is rubbish, travellers and


Travellers moved on to the village green at Eccles during the school holiday


restore the area. In a statement, councillors said: “Thank you to all the residents who cleared up last night; it is very much appreciated. You have done an amazing job.” It added: “All parish council site security will now be reviewed.” One resident from Eccles, who


was too scared to be named, said a dozen traveller caravans pitched up on the village recreation ground, off Bull Lane (pictured), on Saturday evening. She told Downs Mail: “They are running amok, destroying the recreation ground, which we love,


dogs everywhere and people are afraid to leave their homes. It seems these travellers have ab- solutely no respect for anything or anyone.” Residents are calling for lockable


posts to replace the locked gate, which is thought to have been breached by the travellers. Meanwhile, in Leybourne Parish Council, Chairman Bob Ulph con- firmed that eviction notices were obtained by the borough council to evict two travelling families from open space in Leybourne.


Policewarn of phone scams


KENT Police is warning residents across the county to be aware of a phone scam targeting the elderly. Fraudsters are reportedly calling


homes claiming to be part of theHM Revenue and Customs Service, and threatening arrests for non-payment of tax. Residents are told to pay im- mediately with iTunes vouchers. A number of phone scam cases


have been reported in the last four weeks and in some cases victims have lost thousands of pounds. The scammers are believed to call


from overseas using spoofing tech- nology to appear as aUK number. Detective Sergeant Alec Wood of


the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Fraudsters are targeting the elderly and terrifying them with threats of arrests. “This fraud works because the vic-


tims fear they may have accrued tax arrears and they justwant the prob- lem to go away. “I would urge people to check


their tax with the tax office and con- firm it from a known source. “This fraud can be defeated by en- couraging people to take a few min- utes to check, verify and seek another professional or informed opinion. “In any event HMRC would not


wish to be paid in vouchers.” If you are a victim of fraud or


know someone who is, visit Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.


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