Rural crime week of action - October 2025

Over the past 7 days (and nights!), officers from Ashford Neighbourhood Task Force have engaged in an intensification week to disrupt rural crime across the district, utilising high visibility patrolling across key travel routes and visits to vulnerable or previously targeted premises.

Our efforts by Kent Rural Task Force, Specials and Divisional Support Units, as well as joint working with Sussex Police and Folkestone Community Safety Unit to disrupt this often-transient crime type.

Countless vehicle checks were conducted, resulting in 10 vehicle searches, 16 person searches, and 6 vehicles being seized.

On Friday, officers stopped a van in Woodchurch, leading to both occupants being detained under Misuse of Drugs act. A significant quantity of suspected Cocaine was located, and both males were arrested on suspicion of Possession with intent with supply class A. 

Later the same night, a silver 4x4 attempted to evade officers in Shadoxhurst, 3 males were subsequently detained, with a weapon and drugs located in the vehicle. The driver failed to provide samples for both a roadside breath test and Drugwipe. He was arrested and charged with Failing to provide samples, driving whilst disqualified, No insurance and Possession of an offensive weapon. The vehicle was seized.

A further vehicle stop in Tenterden resulted in another driver being arrested on suspicion of Drug driving, Possession of Cannabis and No insurance. This vehicle was also seized.

On Saturday, a suspicious Mitsubishi pick-up truck was stopped in Ashford with significant amounts of cocaine and cannabis being located. Both occupants were arrested for Possession with intent to supply class A and B. 

Wednesday evening, officers got sight of a blue 4x4 not displaying any index plates near Chilmington Green. The vehicle subsequently drove off in the direction of Shadoxhurst and a lengthy pursuit ensued leading it to go off-road. The vehicle was again sighted coming back towards Ashford where the pursuit continued into Kingsnorth, with the vehicle crashing and persons making off on foot. The vehicle was seized and prepared for a forensic examination to identify the occupants.

Across the week, 3 further vehicles were seized for a variety of driving offences, with driver’s reported accordingly.