REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL: JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2007

The first couple of weeks into the New Year were reasonably quiet within the Parish Area. During this period I only needed to make routine checks.

On Thursday 18th January I was advised that a tree had fallen across the road in Stalisfield bringing down power lines with it. At approximately the same time, due to the extreme weather conditions on that day, power cables were brought down in Painter's Forstal . EDF Energy had already been advised of the situation and I informed the police, who, within five minutes, had passed through Eastling on their way to the disruption in Stalisfield. I called on a number of people in the village to advise them of the situation.

On Friday 19th January I received a call from a resident of Glebe Cottages to say that a "Jack Russell" dog had been stolen from their back garden. I responded immediately, passing details to the Faversham Rural Police Team, who took action straight away. They went to check on an individual in the vicinity, who has, in the past, been known to be associated with "finding" dogs. Unfortunately, in this instance, the dog has not been found.

On 24th January I was told that there were sheep wandering through the village. I was able to locate them and having made certain that there was no danger to traffic I advised Arnold's Oak Farm of the situation.

On 25th January I attended a meeting with Swale Housing and the Police.

On 29th January I received a call to say that two "Jack Russell" terriers were wandering loose in the area and that they resembled the two dogs that had recently been stolen. A number of people from the village helped me to look for the animals, but we were unable to find them. The dogs were later seen in Painter's Forstal but were found not to be the ones which were missing.

There was also a report of a blood stained person at North Eastling Corner on that day. I informed the Police and a patrol car quickly arrived to investigate.

There was an arrest in the village on 31st January when the police were alerted by a vigilant individual, that someone had been seen acting strangely. It transpired that the person arrested was wanted by the Police.

In early February a stray dog was seen near Arnold's Oak and the matter was reported to the Police who contacted me. I searched the area and discovered that the Gamekeeper had captured the dog and had passed it on to suitable persons.

Information was received that there were two men in the Eastling area enquiring about "Jack Russell" terriers. Their description was passed to the Police.

I made a number of patrols throughout the area during February, both on foot and by car. Various vehicle numbers were passed to the Police.

During the latter part of February another "Jack Russell" was reported to have been found in Stalisfield. This animal was subsequently claimed by a gentleman from Egerton near Ashford. As a result of passing this information through various associated internet sites, I have made many contacts which will be extremely useful in future.

I received a call from one of the residents of Glebe Cottages to say that he had been knocked off his bicycle at Painter's Forstal by a car towing a wheelie bin. He suffered a broken arm and other injuries which have resulted in him being off work for many weeks. I have had the details published in the "Good News" in the hope that someone could supply some further information. The Police were advised at the time of the accident.

REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL: APRIL 16, 2007

The Warden's Report was also made available to the members of the public who attended the meeting. In it he confirmed that he commenced his duties on 12th September 2006 and immediately met with Cllr Bickerdike to arrange to take over the responsibilities of the Neighbourhood Watch in Eastling. Having completed the formalities with him he forwarded the necessary documentation to the NHW Office in Swale.

He had a meeting with the Faversham Rural Police Team to discuss how they envisaged the development of his role. He felt that the meeting was very fruitful and look forward to liaising with our local police in future. During the discussions it was suggested that a fluorescent jacket marked "Village Warden" should be worn so that the community, especially the children, would know who he was if he needed to speak with them. This has been purchased, together with a marked vest at a cost of £45.55. A dedicated mobile phone has also been purchased at a cost of £39.99 together with a pre-paid phone card for £10.00.

Initially the appointment met with some resistance from local people but after a couple of weeks with a great deal of assistance from the Rural Team confidence in the role has been established and now appears to receive total support from the community.

These are some the incidents which have required attention:-

There was some damage caused at the Church which was reported to the Police. A crime number was obtained and passed to Cllr West. Later Rev Angela Cheeseman had her car broken into outside the Church.

A resident claimed to have been forced off the road by one of the lorries delivering to Southern Water in Kettle Hill Road. As one of the lorries had been involved in an accident on the way to Eastling that day, a call was made the next morning to speak to the site foreman requesting that the drivers be told that they should slow down entering Eastling and especially going past the School. He was very co-operative and said that he would definitely advise the drivers. This information was passed to the Rural Team who also had a word and were monitoring the speeds of the vehicles.

Assistance was required in Tong Lane when one of the containers there had been broken into and a considerable amount of equipment stolen. The necessary information was provided to enable them to report the matter to the proper authority.

There were a number of incidents at the Pheasantry in November which Jessie Stevens reported and the police were informed and called to see Jessie very quickly to sort the problem out.

There have been a number of incidents involving lost, stolen or stray dogs. As a result a series of contacts have been built up, which have proved invaluable.

There was a problem with sheep wandering through the village. Having found them and having made certain that there was no danger to traffic Arnold's Oak Farm was advised of the situation.

One of the residents of Glebe Cottages was knocked off his bicycle at Painter's Forstal by a car towing a wheelie bin. He suffered a broken arm and other injuries which have resulted in him being off work for many weeks. The details were published in the "Good News" in the hope that someone could supply some further information. The Police were advised at the time of the accident.

There were a couple of incidents involving suspicious cars being parked in the village. In both cases the cars were subsequently collected.

A call was received from Mrs P. Neaves at Arnold Oak to say that one of her horses was missing. Contact was made with a number of people by phone and in person. As a result the horse was traced two days later at Throwley.

There was an incident at Glebe Cottages when sheep had been reported around the houses.

Time was spent with Ben Binder, the Farm Manager, checking on a car that had been seen driving on Belmont land. It transpired that it was an unmarked Police car pursuing some suspects.

Mr Deeprose of Romany Rest called to say that he had lost his dog. A search was made of the area and information posted on the web-site. The dog returned two days later.

A relative of Mrs Dodds at No 3 Manor Lees called to say that the old lady had had an accident. The emergency ambulance arrived and she was taken to hospital.

A lady called to say that she had seen someone fly tipping within the Parish boundaries. I checked but could find no-one

John Darlington called with details of a lost dog that had been found. The owner arrived as the dog was about to be taken to the local kennels.

During the period a number of routine patrols throughout the Parish were made which were incident free.

REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL: JULY 11, 2007

The beginning of May was a relatively quiet time during which nothing of significance occurred.

On 15th May there was an assault on a lady from the village. The Police were informed and a statement made. The following day several patrols were made around the village looking for the culprits.

On three occasions during the latter part of May visits were made to a location within the Parish boundary where it was purported that an illegal drug was being grown commercially. The Police were advised accordingly.

The beginning of June was also quiet. Information was received relating to incidents which had happened outside the village and this was passed onto the Police.

There was a "break-in" at a property in Kettle Hill Road. Later it was discovered that there had been another "break-in" in the village. On this occasion the incident occurred at a property situated in The Street. At this stage the Faversham Rural Team was informed.

On 30th June a telephone call was received from a resident of Meeson's Close relating to a group of individuals knocking on doors ostensibly looking for "odd jobs." As it was 9.30 pm this was obviously not right. All details were subsequently passed to the Police.

REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL: SEPTEMBER 7, 2007

In early July it was reported that there was a vandalised car on the Otterden Road opposite Churchfields. The car was investigated and indeed was damaged. The owner was tracked down and the Police advised.

Later that morning it was reported that an illegal drinking party had been held in the school grounds. On visiting the site it was apparent that this had been the case and the Police were advised.

In the latter part of July and early August, persons known to the Police had been visiting the area, particularly in the location of the Carpenters Arms. Details of these visits, along with car numbers etc, were passed on to the Police.

In early August several calls were made regarding sighting of a person wanted by the Police. The Police were informed which resulted in a Police raid on a property in the area.

Several calls were received regarding suspicious cars in the area. When the information was passed on, it proved to be of significant importance.

All details of a car seen in the village and being driven erratically were passed to the Police and the car was stopped in Sittingbourne. The driver had no licence and had been banned.

The sound of "off road motor bikes" was heard coming from Newnham Lane. On investigation there were two youths, who were not from Eastling, riding up and down the road. After a few words with them, they agreed to dismount and walk their bikes. Perchance the Rural team Land Rover arrived on the scene, the lads were passed onto them.

A call was received regarding another suspicious car in the village which was passed onto the Police

A call was received from a Lady in Otterden relating to a serious incident, details of which were passed to the police.

REPORT TO PARISH COUNCIL: NOVEMBER 14, 2007

There was a report of a dog (Asbo) missing from the Arnold's Oak area. All the necessary agencies in the locality were informed and a meeting organised with the Police. The dog was subsequently found and returned, believed stolen, and reward paid.

There was a call received re vehicles parked up by the Old Rectory at Otterden. Mrs Kepz was called and advised. The vehicles were checked and they were all ok.

There was also a call from the area of Meesons Close to check out a vehicle. The registration number was passed onto the Police and checked out.

October began quietly.

The Police requested that various aspects of the growing of illegal substances in Eastling were checked. This matter was investigated and the information was passed on to the Police.

There was a call from the area of Newnham Lane and Otterden Road relating to car windows being shot in over a weekend. This was part of a larger crime that involved all local villages. A meeting was held with the Police and information was obtained that 4 persons had been arrested and charged with this incident.

After meeting with the Police information passed onto Parish Council regarding Speedwatch.