News


Call to report hare-coursing


VILLAGERS are urged to help police net illegal hare coursers. The crime has caused damage to


farmland, fences, and crops, and disturbance to residents afterdark. Speaking after


reports in


Hollingbourne,PCSODanielGenn said the “sport”, which uses dogs to chase down prey, is a big prob- leminthe area, involving extensive trespassing, often in 4x4 vehicles. The coursing season tradition-


ally runs from harvest to spring, but offences are being reported outside these times. Experts believe the region’s large


hare population attracts offenders fromoutside the area, tempted by the practice of betting on the out- come. Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of


Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, says his officers and the National Farmers’ Union are working with landowners to offer advice. This includes digging trenches around fields toprevent access by vehicles.


He said: “These illegal activities


cause farmers, gamekeepers and rural communitiesdistress and, on some occasions, landowners are threatened with violence when challenging these criminals.” He said officers remained com-


mitted to prosecutingwildlife and trespass offences. In 2018,Kent Police received 274


reports relating to poaching, hare coursing, lamping and fishing. SgtWalshawsaid: “The rural of-


ficers are sent notifications of every hare-coursing or poaching-related incident andwillmake enquiries to identify offenders and vehicles.” Hollingbourne PCSO Genn


added: “If a 4x4 is seen overnight with two or more occupants, lamps, and dogs in the boot and it seems out of place take the details and report it.” Where an offence is taking place,


the public should call 999; if it is retrospective, call 101, or report it atwww.kent.police.uk.


Newboss on the buses


STAGECOACH South East has ap- pointed JoelMitchell (pictured) as itsmanaging director. MrMitchell (42), fromKent, joins Stagecoach fromc2c Rail and lives


in Harrietsham. He is the vice chairman of gov-


ernors at the local primary school and coaches the Under 10s at Maidstone Rugby Club.


Show off your secret talent VILLAGERSwith a hankering for fame have been invited to “do a turn” for a Bearsted’sGot Talent fundraiser in July. Secret dancers, private singers, and jugglers are expected to line


up for the talent show, organised by BearstedArea Churches To- gether, in associationwith theHoly Cross Raise the Roof fund, at thememorial hall on Saturday, July 6. Event spokesman Bob Piggott said: “Seriously, almost anything will be considered.”


Sell your unwanted items


downsmail.co.uk


• Distribution area can be tailored to meet your needs • All deliveries are GPS tracked • Arrive through the letterbox with Downs Mail • From 2000-88,000 addresses per month • Choose the areas that you want • Competitve rates & volume discounts


Free Ad online Image, full description, contact details, easy to upload


www.downsmail.co.uk Connecting with local people


14 Maidstone East May 2019


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48