News


downsmail.co.uk ‘Way of life under aack’


ITWAS, said one onlooker, yet another assault on the village’sway of life. In a scene that has played out


all too often in our rural commu- nities, staff at the supermarket picked through the wreckage of an apparent ramraid – splintered glass, mangled metalwork and wrecked goods. This time, it was the SPAR in


Staplehurst. Last time it was the Co-op in Lenham. Before that, Sainsbury’s in Headcorn. On this occasion, the suspected


target – a cashmachine orATM– was not taken. But the extensive damage saw the shop closed, in- come hit, and villagers without services. This was far from a vic- timless crime, say locals. The frustration and anger was


palpable. Regular shopper Mark Waghorn (81) said: “I don’t know what the world’s coming to. We’re constantly getting reports of raids, the likes of which you never heard of 20 years ago.” When asked if he thought there


was an answer, he sighed: “I don’t think there is any going back; not now.” Last month’s incident was par-


ticularly bitter for Staplehurst be- cause the SPAR stepped up to provide a home for theATMafter NatWest closed its branch in The Parade in 2017…following a ram


Non-stop buzz


for Oliver! Oliver! The Hazlitt Theatre,Maidstone THE old musicals take a lot of beating – andMaidstoneAmateur Operatic Society proved this yet again with a magnificent per- formance of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! The house-full audience buzzed


fromthe colourful, rousing open- ing of “Food,Glorious Food” and never came off an appreciative, excited high. The young cast, with many de-


lightful schoolchildren, were ob- viously enjoying themselves, and new choreographer Katy Russell proved what can be achieved on the small Hazlitt stage. The show demands a strong


Fagin (Dave Rowe) and Nancy (Heather Cheeseman) and both shone, notablywhen singing their popular strong numbers. Maidstone’s message surely is:


Come back soon. Review byDennis Fowle


24 Maidstone East May 2019


raid. In January, the safe was ripped from the village post of- fice. SPAR manager Kevin Butler


said the latest damage was exten- sive and included the shop win- dow, a security screen andshelves. Fridges along the window, which were also hit, hadbeen part of a re- cent refit. Citing a spate of break-ins in re-


cent months involving Headcorn FC, Staplehurst School gardening club, Kingswood School, and the fete committee at Staplehurst, local councillor Louise Brice said in- creased police patrols are the only answer. She commendedKentPolice and


Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott’s moves to recruit an extra 180 police this coming year, in ad-


dition to the 200 officers signed up in 2018, but said villages needed to see a fair share of their deploy- ment. She said: “Our rural com- munities pay the same in council tax as everyone else. There need to be more rural patrols to ensure these communities are not seen as easy targets.” Detective Inspector James Der-


ham said: “We understand that each time an attempt to steal an ATMtakes place, it can cause con- siderable damage to businesses and the local community. “Although the vast majority of


attempted ATM thefts have re- sulted in damage to the machine and nomoney being taken, our of- ficers are committed to targeting offenders and bringing them to justice.”


Raid suspect was released


A 30-YEAR-OLDman, fromHurst Green, arrested on suspicion of burglary and drink driving in con- nectionwith the alleged ramraid in Staplehurst at around 1amon March 12, has been released pending further investigation. A Land Rover Discovery re-


ported stolen from Tunbridge Wells was subsequently found near the scene on fire. Anyone with information can


call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/46578/19, or Kent Crimestop- pers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


ATMthefts KENT Police have investigated 33 attempted thefts of or from ATMs in the last five years. In the last three, 14 have involved the use of vehicles. Of all 33 cases, only six re-


sulted in cash being taken. Charges have been brought in re- lation to three cases, while two investigations are described as “ongoing”.


Cash help for


football clubs GRANTSof £750 couldkeeplocal football teams turningout inKent. The FootballAssociation has re-


Wendy Hiller, Tomiwa James, Judith Sloan, Lisa Burns,with radiologists FerdenahMunroe,WaydeMorgan, Abin Babu and David Brown


Praise for scan centre


AN imaging service for cancer pa- tients in Maidstone has been praisedbyagovernmentwatchdog. Maidstone PET-CT Centre at the


town’s hospital in Hermitage Lane, which provides diagnostic and screening procedures, was rated “good” by the Care Quality Com- mission. Maidstone PET-CT unitmanager


DavidBrownsaid: “Thiswasour first inspection by CQC since opening in 2017. Itwas a great opportunity to


showcase the fantastic work the teamdoes. “The team is proud of the unit


and the facilities it provides for pa- tients, and was pleased the CQC recognised its efforts.” The report identified three areas


for further improvements. MrBrown added: “The teamwel-


comes this feedback as an opportu- nity to develop the service further, and is working to implement these recommendations.”


launched its Stay in the Game scheme to halt a decline in adult male teams by offering grants to struggling clubs. Eleven-a-side teams have until


Thursday, June 6 to apply for the helpto cover the costs of running a football team. Paul Simpson, England under-


20sheadcoach, said:“Weareseeing adultmaleplayersmovefrom11-a- side football intomore casual for- mats of the game. One of the reasons is clubs lackingmoney. “Lastyear’sroll-outof thescheme


sawsome reallypositive strides.” Theschemehelpedtoretain2,336


adultmaleteamsacross thecountry last year. For details contact the County FA or visit www.football- foundation.org.uk/funding- schemes/stay-in-the-game/.


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