downsmail.co.uk


Village shocked by raid on cashpointmachine


HEADCORNcame to a standstill after police shut off the High Street following a ramraid on the cashpoint at Sainsbury’s Local. Traffic was diverted around the


scene of the theft,which happened at 11.45pmonMonday,November 19. A stolen crane is thought to have beenusedtodig out theATM. Whilepolice carriedout store-to-


store inquiries, a structural engi- neer assessed the considerable damage to the store before the road could be reopened. Shoppers were sparse, and re-


tailerswere clear that the raid and the closure of the High Street was an unwelcome blowin the run-up to Christmas. At Foremans Walk Coffee Corner stayed shut in light of the disruption. Julia Archer, at Sweet William


florists, said: “The effect of some- thing like this is huge. I bought less frommy supplier andhe hadto go back throughPluckley todeliver to Maidstone. This is such a shame, especially with our Christmas


event coming up onDecember 1.” Tim Grimes, who owns Head-


corn Photo Factory in the High Street,movedout, joining business associateMaxMoseley at Pepper- corn Framing for the day. He said: “This has cost at least a


day’s trading for retailers inHead- corn, but it won’t be just today.” He said: “If people can’t get to us they are likely to go elsewhere.” As the daywore on, local specu-


lation grew that the cash machine may have been empty. One lady at Headcorn Tea- rooms, who did not wish to be


named, toldDownsMail she tried to use the ATM at about 8.30pm but itwas not dispensing cash. She said: “I had to get cash-back


from Sainsbury’s, so I assume it must have been empty.” Police are asking witnesses and


those with CCTV or dashcam footage to call 01622 604100 orKent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting reference 19-1730. They also want to hear from anyone with details of the silver vehicle intowhich theATMwas loaded or who saw it as it was driven off to- wardsHeadcorn aerodrome.


News Newtrains by


the endof 2019 THE Government has promised Thameslink trains will be running from Maidstone viaWest Malling to central London fromDecember next year. Rob Bird, KCC councillor for


Maidstone Central and Lib Dem groupleader, receivedreassurance fromtheDepartment forTransport on October 19 that services would be running at the end of 2019. Aletter fromtransport secretary


Chris Grayling to Cllr Bird stated: “From December 2019, Thames- link services between Maidstone East and Cambridgewill also pro- vide an extra two trainsper hour in each direction all day. “Additionally, the commence-


ment of the Thameslink route in December 2019 will provide all day connectivity between Maid- stone, the city and St Pancras..” Thameslink services had origi-


nally been set for May this year, then delayed toDecember 2018 Cllr Bird said: “This is a huge re-


lief. The timetable changes inMay were shambolic, so it’s not surpris- ing that Maidstone residents and commuters were concerned about the prospect of further delays.”


Maidstone Weald December 2018


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