Safety & Security Information from Acol PC Meeting

Andy Howe, our Police Beat Officer, attended yesterday's Parish Council Meeting. He talked about the recent car theft from Minster Road. It seems that keyless Fiestas and Fiat 500s are potentially being targeted. They are typically taken and stripped for spares. A couple of tips from Andy include keeping keys in faraday pouches and the best deterrent is to use steering locks. Also if you do witness suspicious activity usually at night with people approaching you home or vehicle you should call 999. Some recent arrests took place in Sittingbourne for car theft crime occurring in Thanet. Further advice is in this link.

Also if you see Hare Coursing in progress a call to 999 would be appreciated. Typically the activity will involve men with dogs (frequently lurchers) in 4x4 vehicles. The police are particularly interested in a Silver Range Rover associated with this illegal activity.

It was reported that a male had approached a number of properties with large trees touting aggressively for business. If this happens to you and you feel vulnerable Andy says call 999 immediately. That way if they have a patrol car in the area they might be able to take some action. If you can get a description of the person or vehicle, even better.

Finally, we were pleased to hear that PC Howes believes that the speed limit on Minster Road should be reduced to 30 mph. The current position, with a 50-limit signed just before a tight bend followed by a shortish stretch past houses before reducing again to 30 for the village is unworkable. We will update our Highways Improvement Plan (HIP) accordingly.