News Considering


street change MAIDSTONE Borough Coun- cil is looking at closing Earl Street to traffic and pedestri- anising it in the same way as Week Street. FA wide-ranging report on


recovering from the Covid-19 epidemic by chief executive Alison Broom says the council has submitted two town centre proposals which already had endorsement through previ- ous political decision making. Pedestrianisation of Earl would


Street be between


Week Street and Pudding Lane using an experimental traffic order to limit vehicle move- ments in the same way as Week Street.


She says: “This would allow for deliveries and servicing but the road would be pedes- trianised from just east of the taxi parking bays on Earl Street between certain hours to enable social distancing and potentially support the use of footways by the restaurant businesses along Earl Street. “This pedestrianisation has long been in our public realm plans for the town centre as our next phase (following Ju- bilee and Remembrance squares and subsequently Week Street and Gabriel’s Hill).” She says the council has also considered other town centre locations where footway widening would be ‘helpful’.


downsmail.co.uk


Pensioners targeted in gardening scam


MAIDSTONE pensioners have been warned about doorstep fraudsters offering to do gardening and roofing work. Recently, two men are reported


to have visited an older resident's house in Tovil, where they of- fered to do some gardening. The OAP paid the pair upfront in cash, but they then left without completing any of the work. Two days later, three men are alleged to have called at a house in Coxheath, where they ac- cepted payment from a woman in her 70s for gardening work that was never started. A further report was received


that a man who took payment for roof repairs from a pensioner liv- ing in Penenden Heath, left with- out completing any work. Inspector Mark Hedges, of Kent Police, said: “I strongly urge residents to be careful about who they allow to complete work at their homes.


“Don’t be afraid to ask them


for identification, and if you have any doubts about a caller at your door, ask them to leave and come back at a time when you can have a friend or relative with you. “I would encourage people to look out for one another and re- port anything suspicious straight away, by calling 101 or dialling 999 if a crime is taking place.” Anyone with information that


might help the ongoing investi- gations mentioned above is asked to contact Kent Police on


A BLACK Land Rover registration no RJ10***, was stolen from Bannister Way, Leybourne. Somebody broke into the garden of a


house in Southwood, Barming, and stole paving slabs.


A pedal bike was stolen from The Green, Bearsted. Somebody smashed a window of a ve- hicle parked in Sittingbourne Road, Detling. Thieves broke into a house in Pilgrims


Way, Detling, but were interrupted when an alarm was activated. A bicycle was stolen in Ravens Dane Close, Downswood. Both number plates were stolen from a


vehicle in Hampton Road. A handbag was stolen from a bar in Bearsted Road.


28


Be wise to their tricks


DOORSTEP fraudsters usually seek to carry out services that are either absolutely unnecessary or substandard. If cash is paid in advance they will frequently leave without starting any work. l Services offered will often include cleaning driveways, gardening or roof and guttering repairs; l If someone knocks at your door, always refuse on the spot repairs or maintenance; l Don't ever go to a bank or cash point with a trader; legitimate traders would never do this; l Use reputable traders who are members of the KCC Trading Stan- dards approved trader scheme, run in partnership with Checkatrade; l Ask for quotes in writing and check that the tradesperson is from the company they say they are from.


01622 604100, quoting reference number 16-0471. You can also contact the inde- pendent charity Crimestoppers


anonymously by calling 0800 555 111, or using the anonymous on- line form at Crimestoppers- uk.org.


Neighbourhood Watch


Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police A black Peugeot 307 was stolen from


Western Road, Fant.


A thief cut through three locks to steal a bicycle in Barker Road, Fant. Several windows were smashed on a


caravan in Lenham Road, Headcorn. Both number plates were taken from a


vehicle in a parking bay in High Street, Headcorn. Two people kicked down a fence in Denning Close, causing damage estimated at £600. They ran off when challenged. A vehicle parked in in Mote Road was damaged.


A vehicle was keyed in Earl Street, Maidstone.


Cleaners and sponges were stolen from a car in Basing Close. Somebody smashed a window of a ve- hicle parked in Old Tovil Road. A wallet was stolen.


A black wheelie bin was stolen in Post- ley Road, Maidstone.


An thief stole £90 worth of school meals vouchers in Calder Road. Somebody broke into a vehicle in


Fontwell Close, Shepway, and stole £8. A child’s pedal bike was stolen in Watkins Close, Staplehurst.


Crime reports


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