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Safety line vandalisma maer of life and death


VANDALS who have thrown life lines and rings into the water in Maidstone have been described as “selfish and downright danger- ous”. The commentsweremade byCllr


Derek Mortimer as he launched an appeal to the public to respect the safety equipment, following a num- ber of acts of vandalism along the town’s towpaths over the summer. Each year Maidstone Borough


Council spends about £5,400 on life- rings and throw lifelines for key spots at lakes and along the town’s river, in case someone gets into dif- ficulty in thewater. But in recentmonths, the borough


council has found many of its lifebuoys and throwlines have been vandalised or thrown into thewater indiscriminately. CllrDerekMortimer, chairman of


the council’s environment commit- tee, said: “This type of anti-social be- haviour is not just selfish, it is downright dangerous. It really could be the difference between someone being rescued and them losing their life. “We need people to behave re- sponsibly aroundwater and part of


that is not damaging the equipment that is there to play an important rolewhen someone needs itmost.” Statistics show that over 700 peo-


pledrown in theUKevery year, and Maidstone’s high water has made the river the scene of several deaths and close calls. Mr Mortimer added: “We need


people tounderstandthat the equip- ment is not a thing to play with. If their mum, dad or mate got into trouble in the water, then they


A BLUE andwhiteWhistler bicycle, a bluemountain bike and a blue BMX bicyclewere stolen fromthe communal area of a block of flats in Holland Road. Two solar light dog ornamentswere


stolen froma garden in James Street. A blue Ford Transit van, registration


RO15***, was stolen fromMarston Drive. A tyrewas punctured on a BMW320


parked in Coral Park. Intruders broke into a home in


PenendenHeath Road by damaging bi- fold doors at the back of the property. The glass in the bathroomdoor and the shower doorwere smashed, but nothing appears to have been taken. The offsidewindowwas smashed on a


silver Peugeot 206 parked in Old School Place. Intruders broke into a garden in Vicary


Way, damaging the fence. However, they leftwhen challenged by a neighbour. Nothing appears to have been taken. AnAudi Q5 parked in a driveway in


Bower Streetwas broken into and searched. Nothing appears to have been taken. A doorwas damaged in a bid to break


into a house in VicaryWay, but no access was gained. A Renault Clio parked in a car park in St


Peter’s Street had the passenger side windowsmashed.Nothing appears to


would want someone to be able to help them,wouldn’t they? So, leave it alone, unless you need it.” The council hopes to work with


other organisations to highlight the dangers of this type of anti-social behaviour. Cllr Mortimer added: “Anyone


who witnesses this type of behav- iour should call Kent Police on 101, and report missing or damaged equipment by email to parksan- dopenspaces@maidstone.gov.uk.”


News Warning after


flooding scam MAIDSTONE residents are being warned of doorstep criminals after a an elderlywomanwas conned. Kent Police received a report that


a man called at an address near Tonbridge Road and said a neigh- bour’s addresswas flooded and he needed to turn off thewater. The occupant, a woman in her


80s, allowed himto come in and he asked her to turn taps on and off while hewent to the bathroom. He then left the premises and the


victim later found that cash was missing fromher handbag. Chief Inspector Mark Hedges


said: “Residents should be alert if a tradesman visits without an ap- pointment and suggests there is a repair that needs fixing urgently. “Always check the identity of


anyone who calls at your home and don’t be afraid to close the door and leave them waiting out- side if you need tomake checks. “If you are in any doubt, ask the


caller to come back when a family member or friend can be present.” The man is described as white,


5ft 6in tall, of a large build andwith dark brown hair. He was wearing blue overalls and a flat cap. Anyonewith information should


call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/32027/18, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


NeighbourhoodWatch Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police


have been taken. Both number plateswere stolen froma


vehicle in London Road. A vehicle parked in Buckland Roadwas


broken into and a Playstationwas stolen. Both number plateswere stolen froma


Ford Transit van in Charles Street.Aman, said to be in his 40s,white, about 5ft 11in, mediumbuild andwith short dark brown hair,was seen taking the plates. A boy'smountain bikewas stolen from


outside a shop in Hart Street. Awindowwas smashed on a Jaguar XF


parked in a driveway in Roseholme. Both number plateswere stolen froma


Vauxhall Corsa parked in Hackney Road. A blueMongoose cyclewas stolen from


a bike rack in Hart Street. The chain to the padlock had been cut. A bicyclewas stolen fromwhere itwas


secured outside a restaurant in Hart Street. A Renault Clio parked inWestree Court


was keyed on the driver’s side. Square solar post lightswere stolen from


the front garden of a home in Portsdown Close. Therewas an a�empt to gain access to a vehicle left in a residential parking bay in


Dover Street. Awater feature and a garden lightwere


stolen froma garden in Cades Place. A grey Peugot 5008, registration ST13***,


was stolen fromCharlbury Close. Personal belongingswere stolen from


the hospital in Hermitage Lane. Thewingmirrorwas damaged on a


vehicle parked in Oakwood Road. A large garden plantwas stolen froma


front garden in SissinghurstDrive. A Seat Leon parked in a driveway in


Loose Roadwas broken into. Nothing appears to have been taken. Windowswere smashed on a Ford


Transit van parked in Courtenay Road. A Suzuki Grand Vitara parked in a


driveway of a home in Loose Roadwas broken into and some jewellerywas stolen. Pink paintwas thrown over the front


door of a home in Lower Stone Street. The bonnet of a VWPolo parked in


Arundel Squarewas scratched. A green Victoria Pendleton bicyclewas


stolen fromwhere it had been locked in a bike rack in Church Street. A home in Square Hillwas broken into, and a TV and a PlayStation were stolen.


Maidstone October 2018 37


Crime Reports


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