downsmail.co.uk


Kent airports targeted in security crackdown


THE security services were at Headcorn Aerodrome last month as part of amajor drive to counter terrorismand organised crime. Officers from Kent Police and


UKBorder Force had targeted air- ports, airstrips and helipads by coaching staff to become addi- tional crime-fighting eyes and ears on the ground. The law enforcers say they fo-


cused on areas susceptible to human trafficking or the importa- tion of drugs or firearms, which are often used by terrorists to bankroll attacks. Headcorn was one of Kent’s


threemain aviation hubs, includ- ing Rochester and Lydd, to be sin- gled out for the special attention. Over a week, a total of 13 air-


craft were screened, but nothing of concernwas found. Ports co-ordinator Nick Reed


said: “Kent is the gateway to Eu- rope and welcomes large num- bers of visitors by land, sea and


air on a daily basis, so it’s impor- tant that people who work at our ports can spot the signs of crimi- nality and raise concernswith us. “Our presence at the airports


waswell received and itwas ben- eficial to be able to share our knowledge with those who come into contactwith aircraft pilots. “While the vastmajority of peo-


plewho travel intoKent by air are law-abiding citizens, there is also a minority who will see an aero-


Police officers were joined by UK Border Force in an operation to promote air- port security


plane or helicopter as a means to commit crime. “Criminality can support and


fund terrorism, which is why op- erations such as this are so impor- tant andwill be repeated.” Readers with information about


suspicious activity aroundairfields shouldreport it atwww.gov.uk/re- port-border-crime or by calling KentPolice on 101. Fordetails visit: www.gov.uk/border-security- pegasus.


News Road blocked


RESIDENTS were forced to clear tree debris from the street after overhanging branches were chopped back on Amsbury Road in Coxheath lastmonth. Furiousmotorists described the


road as being impassable, and one reported it to the council as a flytipping incident. VillagerMattWeller said on so-


cial media: “Just spent half an hour clearing the road.”


Crossmoved


THE Hoppers’ Cross in East Far- leigh church yard has been moved inside to protect it from the elements. The wooden structure was


erected in 1849 as a memorial to 43 unnamed hop pickers who died fromcholera.


PO break-in


IN LAST month’s Neighbour- hood Watch section we carried a reference to an attempted break- in at a post office in Marden… this should have read Sutton Va- lence. We apologise for any con- fusion caused.


Maidstone Weald August 2019


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