Wye with Hinxhill — Neighbourhood Policing Team

Road safety issues.

Following proactive patrols along the A20 corridor between Folkestone and Ashford, neighbourhood officers working alongside colleagues from Folkestone identified and stopped a foreign-registered HGV on the A20 at Mersham. Following a search of the vehicle, several kilograms of cocaine were discovered concealed inside. An individual was arrested and subsequently charged with offences relating to the importation of Class A drugs. Officers have also carried out proactive patrols in the Challock area, including Canterbury Road and Buck Street, following reports of antisocial driving linked to organised car meets. As a result of enquiries into one such report, a driver was issued with a Section 59 warning. A Section 59 warning is a legal warning that can be issued when a vehicle is used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to others. If the warning is breached within 12 months, police have the power to seize the vehicle. Speed compliance checks have also continued along the A252, with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) issued to a driver for speeding. A TOR is a formal report issued when a driver is suspected of committing a road traffic offence and may result in a fine, driver education course or court action. In a separate incident in Charing, a driver was arrested after failing to provide a roadside breath sample. The investigation remains ongoing. Officers will continue to carry out proactive patrols and targeted enforcement activity to tackle criminality, improve road safety and address concerns raised by local communities.

Set: 2026-04-14

Residential burglary.

Officers have been working proactively to tackle rural crime and theft offences following reports from the community. After gates were stolen from a residential property in the Hastingleigh area, enquiries into a suspect vehicle quickly led to the recovery of the stolen property. During the investigation, additional gates believed to have been stolen were also located and recovered. Individuals linked to the incident were arrested and remain subject to bail conditions while enquiries continue. Bail conditions can be used to place restrictions on individuals while an investigation is ongoing, helping to manage offending behaviour and protect the community. Neighbourhood officers continue to carry out patrols in rural areas and share crime prevention advice through My Community Voice (MCV). These messages help residents protect their property, recognise suspicious activity and report concerns promptly, supporting ongoing efforts to reduce rural crime and keep local communities safe.

Set: 2026-04-14

Farm equipment thefts.

Neighbourhood Officers have been working alongside the Rural Task Force to deliver property marking events across local rural communities. These events help residents protect valuable property by making it easier to identify and recover if it is stolen. Property marking events are held regularly and are advertised through My Community Voice (MCV). Residents are encouraged to attend and take advantage of the crime prevention advice available. Rural neighbourhood officers are also active members of FarmWatch, a partnership scheme that brings together farmers, landowners, rural businesses and the police to share information about crime and suspicious activity in rural areas. This close partnership working helps officers gather intelligence, identify emerging issues and respond quickly to concerns raised by the rural community. Through initiatives such as FarmWatch, property marking events and regular engagement with residents, officers continue to support crime prevention, reduce opportunities for offending and help keep rural communities safe.

Set: 2026-04-14