News


Clampdown calls after drug kit find


THE grim discovery of drug tak- ing kits in a children’s play area has prompted calls for an imme- diate clampdown on antisocial behaviour,writes Jade Schopman. Two used crack pipes and sy-


ringes, believed to have been used for injecting heroin, were found under the slide in Foxden Drive park inDownswood. Kent Police pledged to step up


monitoring of the area after the find on January 2. NeilHomewoodwrote on Face-


book: “Second crack pipe I’ve found under the slide at Foxden Drive park, Downswood. I also found used needles in the woods there. Look about before you let your kids play.” Social media users referred to


the play area as a “centre for drug users.” Chairman of Downswood


parish council,MartinWeeks said: “Please be assured that there is ab- solutely no evidence that this is


any kind of problem within Downswood. “However, we do take these


things most seriously and will in- crease litter picking here and we have also already been in contact withourPCSOwhowillbe increas- ing police patrols in the area with immediate effect.” In a statement, a spokesman for


Kent Police said: “Kent Police re- ceived a report that drug parapher- nalia had been found in Foxden Drive, Downswood, at 5.19pm on Wednesday, January 2. “The informant reported he had


disposed of the items. However, the local officer is aware of the con- cerns raised and will monitor the area.” Any resident of Downswood


who has concerns is encouraged to contact the Parish council or to the clerk directly by email


to


clerk@downsoodpc.org or Martin Weeks at chair@downswoodpc.org


It’s frothy, family fun


FAMILIES are being urged to sign up for some frothy, family fun this summer in Mote Park in aid of a children’s charity. The event is the Demelza Hos-


pice Care for Children Bubble Rush on June 23 at 10am. Bubble Rush sees participants, both young and the young at heart, make their way through walls of bubbles and foam, going through different coloured zones and having lots of fun along the way. The route is pushchair and


wheelchair friendly, with no mini- mum age limit, so the whole fam-


Growing day by day


“I have been Advertising with Downs Mail since 2014’ since then I have seen my business grow by the day. Downs Mail staff are always very friendly especially TANYA who I have Dealt with every month, she helped me through better advertising and making the right choices.


I am glad and happy that DOWNSMAIL is there for me. Thank you”


ZERAN Connecting with local people Call us today and discuss how we can help you grow your business 01622 630 330 www.downsmail.co.uk 12 Maidstone East February 2019


ily can take part. Those taking part can choose to do the 2.5 km course once or twice. Participants can run, walk, or toddle and this year Demelza hopes to raise even more fromthe annual event. There is no official fundraising


target, but all participants are asked to try to raise aminimumof £15. Early bird ticket prices are


£12.50 for adults and £8 for chil- dren (aged under 16). Formore de- tails visit: www.demelza.org.uk or contact Demelza Kent on 01795 845 200.


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