News


downsmail.co.uk Gangs ‘driving boaters away’


THUGS who have hurled abuse and bottles at boaters at Yalding are to be targeted following a summer of terror that has turned parts of theMedway into a “no-go zone”. Water-users have told Downs


Mail that up to 40 gangmembers – some as young as 10 – are behind more than 20 confrontations at Hampstead Lock this year, involv- ing verbal abuse, violence, threat- ening behaviour and theft. Boat owners say the lock has be-


come a focal point on sunny days for youths who travel to the area by train to swimin the river. However, together with local


ring-leaders, the situation has now reached a point where “someone will be badly hurt”, says Mark Smurthwaite (pictured), Com- modore of the Medway Boat Users’Association. Mr Smurthwaite (69), from


Maidstone, says teenagers are jumping in thewater by the boats, climbing on board, rocking craft, threatening crew, untying ropes and going below deck to rifle through owners’ possessions. In a recent attack, a husbandand


wifewere peltedwith glass bottles that broke just feet away. Mr Smurthwaite,who has sailed the river since he was a boy, said:


“This is a dangerous situation. Water has to be respected, espe- cially when it’s deep like it is here and users are operating boats and lock gates. “Someone will be badly hurt if


this carries on, quite possibly one of these gang members, who risk losing a limb if they come into con-


tactwith propeller blades.” He added: “These youngsters


are extremely intimidating and boaters using the lock can be trapped for at least half an hour, during which time they are sub- jected to this deplorable behaviour and threats of violence.” Mr Smurthwaite says Kent Po-


lice now accept the extent and severity of the problem, and offi- cers are working with the associa- tion, British Transport Police and Maidstone Council’s Community Protection Team to identify those responsible. He wants anyone who has suf-


fered at the hands of gangs at Hampstead Lock to log the inci- dents retrospectively, and report all future attacks, to ensure offend- ers are brought to justice. He said: “We have to get on top


of this problem because these gangs are driving boat users away in their droves from the area and themarinas at Yalding – and detr- ring day-trippers. “We have the most beautiful


river,which is amajor attraction to Maidstone, and these teenagers cannot be allowed to destroy that and the pleasure had by so many on thewater.” As Downs Mail went to press,


boat users had been prevented from travelling up river after glue was poured into the Lifting Bridge’smechanismat Yalding.


‘No quick fix’ to problems Report incidents to police


MARKSmurthwaite says theMed- way BoatUsers’Association is dis- cussing ways of tackling the crisis with the authorities,which include installing CCTV cameras at the lock or fencing it off. He said: “Therewill be no quick


fix, but nowwe are talking and the police have accepted this is a prob- lemthatmust be addressed.” Mr Smurthwaite praised Maid-


stone Borough Council’s Commu- nity Protection Team, saying they had met his members outside of- fice hours to discuss the issue and had been very proactive. MBCcommunityprotection offi-


cer James Gibson said: “We are currently involved in a multi- agency approach dealing with is- sues of antisocial behaviour at Hampstead Lock. “We are working with partners


including Kent Police and the En- vironmentAgency, and are in reg- ular contact with the Medway River Users’ Association to help monitor the situation. “Anyone affected should report


incidents on 101 or online on the Kent Policewebsite. “Those identifiedas committing


crimes or antisocial behaviourwill be dealtwith accordingly.”


KENT Police Inspector Mark Hedges, ofMaidstone Community Safety Unit, told DownsMail: “We are aware of the concerns of some boat owners at Hampstead Lock, Yalding, regarding antisocial be- haviour in the area, particularly during the summermonths. “We are continuing to work


proactivelywith our partner agen- cies to reassure boat owners that we take all forms of antisocial be- haviour seriously. “Our PSCOin Yalding has spoken


directly with a number of young people in the area to explain the


effects of antisocial behaviour on others. “Medway river users should con-


tinue to work with us, report inci- dents, and keep a diary of events so we can continue to target the small minority whose actions can cause distress and anxiety to oth- ers.” If you have information on any


of these river offenders, contact Kent Police on 101, or 999 in cases of emergency. The borough’s Community Protection Team should also be notified on 01622 602202.


Fine for a flytipper caught on CCTV cameras


ALANGLEYman has been con- victed after CCTV cameras cap- tured him flytipping in one of the borough'sworst blackspots. SteveCrowley, ofGrasslands,


dumped rubbish on an early hours visit to Burberry Lane, near Kingswood, onMay 7. He hauled a two-seater sofa,


divan bed, toys, outdoor furni- ture and a large bird cage from


34 Maidstone November 2019


the back of a white van under cover of darkness, and left them close to the roadside. But Crowley (61) had been


clocked by covert cameras planted at the notorious dump- ing site byMaidstone Borough Council’sWaste Crime Team. Later that morning, officers


were on his trail, and seized his vehicle at 3.30pm.


On September 6, at Maid-


stoneMagistrates Court, Crow- ley pleaded guilty to the offence of flytipping, and was fined £400.Hewas also ordered to pay £205 costs, £150 clean up compensation and a £40 victim surcharge. Jamie Duffy, MBC’s waste


crimemanager, said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to fly-


tipping in the borough andwill prosecute anyone found to be dumpingwaste illegally.” Theprosecutionwaswelcomed


by local borough councillor Gill Fort, who has long fought for CCTV cameras to be installed in Burberry Lane. Flytipping can be reported at


www.maidstone.gov.uk,byclick- ing the “report it” button.


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