Police Urge Young And Old To Stay Safe This Halloween
Police officers in West Kent are launching a campaign to deter anti-social and nuisance behaviour in the run up to Halloween (31 October), reminding young and old to ‘Stay Safe’.
Police officers in West Kent are launching a campaign to deter anti-social and nuisance behaviour in the run up to Halloween (31 October), reminding young and old to ‘Stay Safe’.
In each of the districts in West Kent – Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling and Sevenoaks, officers will be carrying out extra patrols over the coming weekend and on Halloween itself.
Neighbourhood officers will be visiting their elderly and vulnerable residents to offer crime prevention advice and targeting hotspots for offending to deter antisocial behaviour. This comes as part of the Autumn Stay Safe campaign which aims to combat the nuisance crime which is commonly associated with Halloween.
Many people enjoy the spirit of Halloween, but some can feel intimidated by trick-or-treaters. Officers are asking parents and children who are planning to trick-or-treat to remember that not everyone enjoys, or wants to join in with, the celebrations.
Posters will therefore be distributed to elderly residents, which they can display in their windows to show that ‘trick or treating’ is not welcome.
Chief Inspector Jon Kirby of Kent Police comments: “We want everyone to enjoy the festivities but to respect others at the same time. I would urge trick-or-treaters to stay safe and be responsible while visiting houses."
"I would also ask parents to not let children call on houses or people that they do not know, only those who are expecting them. Some areas and estates now have residents’ agreements that children from the area will only call at houses where a pre-arrangement has been made or there is a note in the window saying they are welcome to call. This can be a really effective way of residents working together positively."
"It’s also important to remind parents and carers not to allow children to walk around unsupervised in the dark, they should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.”
Make it clear if you are happy to have visitors on Halloween by putting a sign in your window.
Click on one of the following images to download a poster in .pdf format which you can print and display on your front door...
A local trader selling an illegal tooth whitening product has been fined nearly £1,400 in a prosecution brought by Kent County Council's Trading Standards Service.
Mr Thai Tran pleaded guilty at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on 6th October to a total of five charges and was fined £715 and had to pay £629 towards costs.
All White 3000 Ltd trading as Sonic Whitening, of which Tran was a director, also received five charges and the same penalty.
The defendant traded out of Royal Victoria Place, in Tunbridge Wells, where one of his products included a tooth whitening pen, which was found to have dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide after a test purchase.
Tran’s pen was found by Trading Standards to have a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 10.9% - 109 times the maximum permitted concentration of 0.1% - and was prosecuted under the Consumer Protection Act (1987).
Mike Hill, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities, said: “Hydrogen peroxide in these products is regulated for a reason and too much can have serious consequences for a person’s health. This prosecution sends a clear message to unscrupulous traders dealing in these products that we view this as a dangerous practice and we will press for the heaviest fine.”
The prosecution is the second success this year for Trading Standards in their battle against illegal tooth whitening products.
In July, Simon Liu, a sole trader based in Oldham, was fined £660 and ordered to pay £2,375 in costs after he was found selling goods on eBay containing hydrogen peroxide 124 times the permitted level.
Future Creative is inviting local artists, creative professionals, planners and developers based in West Kent to join the Creative Directions Autumn Seminar ‘Understanding the Commissioning Process’, a full-day event which will afford artists the opportunity to pitch project ideas to a panel of experts.
The most successful pitch will win a guaranteed interview for a £5,000 commission for the Cultural Olympiad in 2012. Sponsored by four West Kent local authorities, this free seminar – held at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on 9th November 2011 from 10am to 4pm – is the culmination of a professional development programme for artists and the creative community. Allowing artists to get to grips with the public arts commissioning process, it will be a practical and ‘hands-on’ seminar including presentations, workshops and will be a unique opportunity to pitch their ideas to the likes of artist Guy Portelli, a successful Dragons Den contestant.
The morning session (10.00am – 12.30pm) will have informal workshops, discussions and advice sessions exploring topics such as ‘How to establish long-term relationships with local authorities/project commissioners’ and ‘Understanding procurement frameworks’. Speakers at this session will include:
You will be provided with lunch (12.30pm – 2.00pm) where facilitators and experts will be available to help you develop your pitch further if you are presenting it in the afternoon.
Finally, the afternoon session (2.00pm – 4.00pm) will be your moment to shine! Our panel of ‘dragons’ will listen to your project pitch for a £5,000 2012 project. The winning ‘pitcher’ will be paid a small fee to develop their proposal further and will be automatically shortlisted for the project with a guaranteed interview! Presenting a project pitch is not compulsory, and the day will hold lots of informative and enjoyable sessions if you choose not to.
Our dragons will include: Guy Portelli (Dragons Den artist), Councillor John Cunningham (Cabinet Member for 2012, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council), Gail Brown (Kent Arts Development Unit), and Jo Wiltcher (West Kent Arts Partnership).
The Creative Directions Autumn Seminar seminar looks set to provide you with a wealth of knowledge, expert advice and will be a fantastic chance to network with other creative professionals and secure future work. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please RSVP by e-mailing Jason.hodges@future-creative.org to book your place and we will send you a full brief of the 2012 project.
“Banger” fireworks are being supplied in the North of England by people selling from vans in streets. The bangers that have been sold are believed to carry well known, branded names but they have not been supplied by any legitimate businesses.
Kent Trading Standards warns: DO NOT BUY these fireworks if you are offered them. You should not buy any fireworks being sold from vehicles on the street. They are dangerous so don’t put your family and friends at risk for what appears to be a bargain. It’s not worth it.
They may be fake fireworks sold by counterfeiters - criminals who can make almost anything look genuine and who will use whatever brand name or mark they fancy to sell goods to unsuspecting people. They will use any tactics they can so that you lower your guard and end up buying dangerous or rubbish goods. It is very difficult to tell the difference between the real thing and a fake but usually the price is a giveaway. If it’s cheap ask yourself why.
Some fireworks can only be used by professional firework display operators. In untrained hands they can be lethal. If you want to celebrate with fireworks go to an organised firework display.
Fireworks must only be sold from premises registered, or licensed to store them, by the Local Authority.
If you see or hear of anyone selling fireworks from vehicles please contact Trading Standards urgently on 0808 156 2256.
We have been made aware of young men calling door to door offering household goods for sale in the St Johns Road area of Sevenoaks. The goods are dusters, tea towels etc and in the experience of Trading Standards these goods are almost always cheaply made, poor quality and overpriced.
In some cases residents have been told that the men are working with the Probation Service but this is not the case.
Don’t part with your money for the sob stories you may be told – all they are interested in is your cash. And don’t feel guilty if you refuse.
If you buy these goods you will almost certainly receive repeat visits and then calls from other traders who will have been told that residents at that address will buy tat.
Whilst we always say that “if you agree to buy anything costing over £35 at your door you usually have a 7 day ‘cooling off’ period” this is totally irrelevant if you change your mind or want to complain but can’t find the sellers.
To report any concerns you have call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256. Or, visit www.direct.gov.uk.
Kent Trading Standards has received a report of a business dropping off plastic bags apparently for a Lithuanian charity which refers to supporting causes against breast cancer.
Kent residents are being asked to fill the bags with their unwanted goods and the bags to be left out for collection. Currently these bags have been dropped off in the East Folkestone area.
What consumers can do instead of filling the bag:
Please contact Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2256 or go to www.direct.gov.uk if you need further advice on consumer rights, or you want to report any businesses or incidents you have concerns about.
As the nights draw in and the weather turns colder, the NHS is asking people to think ahead and prepare for winter.
A national campaign, Get Ready for Winter, is getting underway this week to highlight simple advice such as top tips for travelling, and offer a central source of further advice and guidance at www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter
Director of Public Health Improvement for Kent Dr Declan O'Neill said: "There are simple things that people can do to improve their chances of staying well, and of recovering quickly if they do fall ill.
"We have had two winters of heavy snowfall and it is sensible for people to be prepared in case we have another one. It will help them stay safe and stay well, while ensuring emergency lifesaving services are kept free for those who really need them."
If you’re over 65, have a serious long-term condition such as diabetes, or are pregnant or a carer, please take up the offer of a free flu jab this winter from your GP. Please contact your practice direct if you have not heard from them.
Using liquid soap to wash your hands thoroughly is your best weapon against infection. Use a tissue (not a handkerchief) to catch coughs and sneezes, throw it away and wash your hands - to Catch It, Bin It, Kill It.
Most sore throats, coughs, colds and flu are caused by viruses. The main symptoms are coughing, sneezing, blocked nose, sore throat, headache and a temperature.
Cold and flu remedies available from a pharmacy will help. Your GP will not be able to prescribe antibiotics because antibiotics have no effect on colds or flu.
At this time of year, gastroenteritis is common. It is often caused by Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, which is extremely infectious. The illness is unpleasant but it’s usually over within a couple of days.
When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhoea, it’s important to drink plenty of water or rehydration fluids (available from pharmacies) to prevent dehydration.
Norovirus is highly contagious and it can be life-threatening if caught by someone who is already very ill and frail. Please help minimise the risk of an outbreak by staying away from hospitals for 72 hours if you are either vomiting and have diarrhoea, or have come in to contact with someone who has.
Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm. The recommended minimum for rooms you use during the day is 21C (70F) and for bedrooms is 18C (65F).
Draft proofing your home is an easy way to help keep you and your home warmer and save money on heating bills. You can do it yourself using simple products from your local DIY store. You may be eligible for a Warm Front grant for heating or insulation improvements, call an advisor free on 0800 316 2805.
Visit www.nhs.uk for details of your local health services, including emergency services, out-of-hours, pharmacies, minor injuries units.
For health advice and to have your symptoms checked, phone NHS Direct 24-hours a day on 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
You are in the office. Your mind is racing, you have got a headache, you can't remember what you were meant to be doing today and at this precise moment you just want to cry! Read on...
If you feel like that, it's quite possible you may be suffering from stress. These are not the only stress-related symptoms you may feel however, there are many more. If you can recognise how stress makes you feel, then you can tackle it.
Stress can hit anyone at any point in their lives. Half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill and 12 million adults see their GPs with mental health problems - much of it stress related. Prolonged periods of stress can lead to the onset of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Wednesday 2 November is Stress Awareness Day. Why not use it as an opportunity to look at your life and find out exactly how much stress you are under.
Dr Elizabeth Lunt, a GP from The Oaks Surgery in Swanley and mental health lead for Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "In our busy lives some stress may be unavoidable and we often don't realise how much it is affecting our health.
"There are things you can do to try to alleviate stress, such as exercising, using relaxation techniques, managing one problem at a time and focusing on the positive aspects in your life. The first thing to do is to recognise your level of stress and then one can begin to tackle it."
Why not try the stress test and see how you score? You can find the test at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/workplacehealth/Pages/reducestress.aspx
In Kent and Medway, local support is available. Visit www.liveitwell.org.uk, a mental health website designed to provide advice and support to those in need. Or call Mental Health Matters, a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year emotional support and advice phone service on 0800 107 0160.
If you are an employer or manager and would like free support and advice on reducing stress in the workplace, go to www.kentmindfulemployer.net
Firefighters are reminding people of the dangers of late-night cooking after two young women nearly burned in their beds after a night out.
Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called out to the Station Road West property in Canterbury at 4.10am after the students fell asleep with their late night snack cooking in the oven.
Fortunately a neighbour heard the smoke detector sounding, saw smoke, and raised the alarm.
On arrival the lights in the property were on but firefighters could not raise the residents. Crews entered the property to find the women still asleep in their beds.
Watch Manager Sheridan Hudson-Peacock who attended the incident said: “Fortunately we were alerted and got into the property quickly before a fire developed. If you’re asleep and a fire breaks out, you could be in serious trouble. Just 3 breaths of fire smoke can be enough to knock you completely unconscious and if you’ve been drinking you’re even more vulnerable.
“Leaving cooking unattended is a recipe for disaster whether you’ve had a few drinks or not, keeping a close eye on your cooking really could save your life.”
A common misconception about house fires is that ‘If there’s a fire in my home, the smoke will wake me up’. However:
Combine these elements with the effects of alcohol and the chances of escaping from the smoke and flames diminish significantly.
Follow these simple safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe from kitchen fires:
If you would like any further information on fire safety in the home, please call our freephone number 0800 923 7000 or visit our website www.kent.fire-uk.org
The KFRS film, Stand by Your Pan can be viewed on YouTube by clicking on www.standbyyourpan.com.
Ash & New Ash Green
Brasted, Chevening & Sundridge
Edenbridge North & East
Farningham, Horton Kirby & South Darenth
Fawkham & West Kingsdown
Halstead, Knockholt & Badger's Mount
Hartley & Hodsoll Street
Kemsing
Seal & Weald
Sevenoaks, Kippington
Sevenoaks, Northern
Sevenoaks, Town & St John's
Swanley, Christchurch & Swanley Village
Swanley, St Mary's
Swanley, White Oak
| Cowden & Hever | Crockenhill & Well Hill |
| Dunton Green & Riverhead | Edenbridge South & West |
| Eynsford | Hextable |
| Leigh & Chiddingstone Causeway | Otford & Shoreham |
| Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone | Sevenoaks, Eastern |
| Westerham & Crockham Hill |
Aylesford
Bluebell Hill & Walderslade
Borough Green & Long Mill
Ditton
Downs
East Malling
East Peckham & Golden Green
Larkfield North
Snodland West
Snodland East
Tonbridge, Castle
Tonbridge, Medway
Wrotham
| Burham, Eccles & Wouldham | Hadlow, Mereworth & West Peckham |
| Hildenborough | Ightham |
| Kings Hill | Larkfield South |
| Tonbridge, Cage Green | Tonbridge, Higham |
| Tonbridge, Judd | Tonbridge, Trench |
| Tonbridge, Vauxhall | Wateringbury |
| West Malling & Leybourne |
Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision which occurred last night (24 October) on the A21 between Pembury and Tonbridge at Castle Hill.
At around 9.37pm a green VW Polo travelling towards Tonbridge lost control on a bend and left the carriageway, striking several trees and coming to rest back on the road. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved.
The driver and passenger were both taken to Pembury hospital where sadly the female driver was subsequently pronounced dead. The passenger received serious, although not life threatening, injuries.
Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for anyone with information about the collision to contact them on 01622 798538.
Goudhurst & Lamberhurst
Hawkhurst & Sandhurst
Rusthall
Tunbridge Wells, Broadwater
Tunbridge Wells, Sherwood
Tunbridge Wells, Southborough & High Brooms
| Benenden & Cranbrook | Brenchley & Horsmonden |
| Frittenden & Sissinghurst | Paddock Wood East |
| Paddock Wood West | Pembury |
| Southborough North | Speldhurst & Bidborough |
| Sussex bordering Kent | Tunbridge Wells, Capel |
| Tunbridge Wells, Culverden | Tunbridge Wells, Pantiles & St. Mark |
| Tunbridge Wells, Park | Tunbridge Wells, St. James' |
| Tunbridge Wells, St. Johns |
| Allington | Barming |
| Bearsted | Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton |
| Boxley | Bridge |
| Coxheath and Hunton | Detling and Thurnham |
| Downswood and Otham | East |
| Fant | Harrietsham and Lenham |
| Headcorn | Heath |
| High Street | Leeds |
| Loose | Marden and Yalding |
| North | North Downs |
| Park Wood | Shepway North |
| Shepway South | South |
| Staplehurst | Sutton Valence and Langley |