Policing the Marsh

Hello all.

I just thought I’d give you a snapshot of a couple of significant things I have been dealing with lately and this is in addition to my day-to-day duties as one of your Marsh Beat Officers.

BROOKLAND

A vehicle was stolen from Straight Lane (just off of the Brookland roundabout) at approximately 13:35 on 06/10/2025 and although it was located in Ruckinge approximately 3 hours later, we are still investigating it.

Whilst on the subject of Brookland we have seen a spike in anti-social behaviour (ASB) mainly taking place in the area of Boarman’s Lane and the village hall, in fact we’ve received a report of the village hall having been broken into on Sunday 12th October, again this is currently being investigated.

We are aware of who might be responsible for the ASB, and home visits have been made to speak with parents however, we will continue to monitor the situation and take action where we can.

NEW ROMNEY

Unfortunately, New Romney has its fair share of ASB, and we are aware of the majority of the hotspot areas so therefore James (PC Hockless) and I try to patrol those areas as and when we can during our shifts depending on other operational commitments.

I recently went into St Nicholas graveyard as I’m aware that a small number of youths frequent the area down by the ditch where it backs onto the houses in Marsh Crescent, in fact they’ve moved a remembrance bench from where it should be into their den.

I’ve spoken with the church warden who was already aware of this and for now the bench will be left where the youths have moved it to for reasons that make complete sense, but I won’t discuss that on here.

So, this is a polite and fair message to the youths who use this area of the graveyard/cemetery and their parents/guardians (that’s if you know where your child frequents when they’re not at home). Using the cemetery as a camp is more of a privilege than a right especially the way that the area is treated which is extremely disrespectful, not only moving the bench which you haven’t had permission to do as the bench is owned by someone else but also the discarded litter and rubbish is inexcusable and I would like the following to happen please.

I’m politely asking you to take some responsibility and do the right thing and clear the rubbish up, all it would need is a couple of bin bags, some gloves and perhaps a litter picking tool (your parents might have one but ask to borrow it first) and depending on how many of you club together to help each other, it would take less than an hour and it would be very much appreciated not just by me but by anyone who uses the cemetery to pay their respects to loved ones and all of the staff at the church.

When the area is cleared up, send me a photo of it by email 13183@kent.police.uk (ask parent’s permission or get them to send it to me) and I’ll put the photo on one of my next posts to show everyone what you’ve done!

Thanks in advance.

Staying with St Nicholas Church, on 10/10/2025 at approximately 09:15 an unknown male decided to break into the newly acquired donation box and stole the money out of it. This is another investigation that is ongoing. Fortunately, the church have good CCTV and so do neighbouring businesses/properties so I’m hopeful to identify him soon.

The Old School House gardens has also been a target of ASB, those youths (because it is youths) that use the gardens to meet up and cause damage and ASB, you might be forgetting that you’re on CCTV whilst in the gardens so expect a knock on your front door from us at some point.  Please stop this poor behaviour.

LYDD

The Rype has had issues with unknown persons causing ASB by the children’s swing park. For some unknown reason whoever is responsible appears to be obsessed with the bin and keeps taking it apart and discarding the rubbish everywhere and no it’s not a seagull because the shell of the bin quite often ends up hung over some of the paly equipment! Please, whoever you are remember that this is a playpark for children and you don’t know what has been discarded into the bin so not only are you causing ASB and potentially criminal damage, but you are also endangering the children’s safety and anyone else who uses The Rype including dogs.

DYMCHURCH

I received a report of a seemingly abandoned vehicle in Dymchurch and on further investigation I arranged for it to be seized, The main reason I had it removed was because it was showing as SORN which stands for Statutory Off Road Notification so the keeper of it had told DVLA that it was being kept off of the road/public highway so not taxed etc another nuisance vehicle off the road!

There have been many other things that have kept me busy and other areas and incidents/crimes haven’t been excluded for any reason other than this is just a snapshot.

As I’ve said before, we’re always very happy and keen to receive information regarding suspected drug dealing, the best way is by email to me, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

That’s it for now.

Thank you

Steve.

13183@kent.police.uk