News


downsmail.co.uk Mental hospital ‘violence’ probe


A PRIVATE hospital opened to treat mentally ill criminals in Maidstone is under investigation after a “disproportionate” number of patient on patient assaults,we can reveal.


“Safe-guarding alerts” at the


Cygnet nearM20 J7,which opened lastOctober,haspromptedamulti- agency probe over concerns about incidents on the male psychiatric intensive careunit (PICU) inApril. According to the latest report


from the NHSWest Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CGC), a “voluntary cessation of admissions has been requested” while the in- quiry is ongoing. The hospital overlooks the site


proposed for two new schools at Popes Fieldwhich recently got the go-ahead by Maidstone Borough Council. The CGC report states: “The


(Cygnet) service opened on Octo- ber 8 with the majority of place- ments being funded by out of area organisations. “In April, a disproportionate


number of safeguarding alerts were raised for the male PICU ward for patient on patient as- saults. “The concerns have now esca- lated to a multi-agency (in-


quiry)…led by (the) local author- ity; voluntary cessation of admis- sions has been requestedwhilst the inquiry takes place and CGCs’ funding placements have been alerted.” It addsCygnetwill be “required


to submit an action plan to address the findings” of the investigation. Aspokesman forCygnet refused


to say how many or detail the na- ture of the assaults as these “are currently being reviewed case by


case and we are unable to share this information as it is ongoing”. The spokesman added: “We can


confirmCygnet has been part of a safeguarding strategy meeting, with another meeting in the first week of June. Understandably we do not know what the outcome of thismeetingwill be.” Despite theCGCreportdetailing


a “voluntary cessation of admis- sions” request, Cygnet said: “Cygnet have at no point ceased


Marathon outfit stolen Appeal after


assault claim OFFICERS have released this CCTV image after a man was found unconscious in Maidstone High Street in the early hours of Sunday,April 28. Police were called to the High


Street at about 6.15am, and the victimwas rushed to hospital. Inquiries have now begun into


how the man, in his 40s, was found collapsed in the street. The victimreported being punched in the head after a night out in town. Anyone who witnessed the al-


leged assault orwith information about the person in the image, is asked to call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/76103/19, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


28 Maidstone Weald June 2019


A LONDON Marathon runner from Maid- stone who dressed up as Big Ben was horri- fied when he found out his costume had been stolen from out- side a pub. According to re-


ports, TV personality Piers Morgan has of- fered £1,000 for its re- turn to quantity surveyor Lukas Bates. Mr Bates' was seen


running for Dementia Revolution during the TV coverage and un- able to cross the fin- ishing line because of the height of the cos- tume. The Perryfield Street


resident was going to donate the outfit to a pub landlord in Lon- don after the race when he discovered someone had taken it. He raised £1,500 for


the charity.


admissions - they have continued to admit service users throughout this period using the same referral and admissions procedures used on a daily basis,which is based on an assessment of theward.” Downs Mail revealed last April


that some of the patients to be treated at the 65-bed facility will have a “forensic history”which the NHS defines as linked to criminal behaviour or referral from the criminal justice system. Local Boxley parish councillor


Wendy Hinder said: “I am ab- solutely speechless. This bears out what I and many, many residents have been saying all along that these schools should not be going onto this site. “Remember, it would only take


one incident. Maybe people will stop and listen to what local peo- ple have been saying” Bearsted borough councillor


Denis Spooner said: “If this is true, then it is really rather worrying. I wouldwant to knowmore details, though.”


Knife threat


boy arrested A TEENAGER has been arrested after reports of threatening be- haviour with a knife in Maid- stone. Kent Police were called to a re-


port of a disturbance in The Broadway. A 17-year-old male from Chatham was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place.Hewas later released pend- ing further investigation. A spokesman for Kent Police


said: “Kent Police takes a zero- tolerance approach to knife crime and those associated with it, and this arrest forms part of an ongo- ing crackdown across


the


county.” Maidstone Chief Inspector Ray


Quiller said: “Our officers are continuing to take robust and proactive action to target anyone who thinks that carrying a knife or aweapon is acceptable. “Kent Police have a number of


measures in place to detect, stop and search those who we believe may be carryingweapons.” The incident was reported last


month.


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