Ongoing efforts to clamp down on antisocial behaviour in Maidstone have resulted in vehicle seizures and nuisance teenagers being challenged in the presence of their parents.
- On Wednesday 6 August, officers responded to reports of a motorbike being ridden antisocially in Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea. Constables located and stopped a teenager before seizing the motorbike to prevent him causing further disturbances in the area.
- Later the same day, proactive patrols came across a group of teenagers with a further two motorbikes at the back of Mangravet Recreation Ground. The group was stopped and both vehicles were seized due to earlier reports of the bikes being used to cause a nuisance in the area.
On Friday 1 August, local officers hosted a community event in Mote Park alongside partner agencies, including Maidstone Borough Council and Golding Homes. Attendees had the opportunity to look at and sit in police vehicles and have their bikes marked to assist in their recovery if they are stolen.
Additionally, following reports of nuisance vehicles in the area, two plain-clothed and one uniformed officer patrolled the park on bikes for the duration of the event and three e-scooters were seized.
On 3 August, Kent Police was called to reports of nuisance behaviour and criminal damage to the door of a home near Deringwood Drive. Reportedly, a group of people knocked repeatedly before kicking the door and causing damage when nobody answered. Patrols attended to carry out house-to-house enquiries and review available CCTV. Officers stopped and searched a 13 year old boy in connection with the incident and warned him about his behaviour in the presence of his parents. Three further suspects, all aged 13, were later identified and spoken to.
Inspector Steve Kent said:
‘As well as having high visibility patrols in crime hotspots in the town centre and surrounding areas, we continue to work with partners to deliver a good service to the Maidstone community. We proactively liaise with business owners in the area and promote the use of Shop Safe Radios so antisocial offences can be reported in a timely manner and with confidence. Our dedicated beat officers also continue to plan and hold community events, develop an understanding of local concerns, and act upon intelligence to keep residents safe.’