Romney Marsh Times

70 firefighters tackle huge fire in Folkestone town centre

2012-02-10T13:28:00.035Z

10th Feb 2012: Seventy firefighters are tackling a huge fire in a row of terraced shops in the Old High Street, Folkestone, Kent.

Ten fire engines are at the fire that started at 11 this morning - 10th Feb. 2012.

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Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze is believed to be in the roof and the second floor of two properties in the Old High Street, with shops on the ground floor and accomodation above.

Officer in Charge Nick James said: "On arrival crews were presented with a severe and quickly developing fire. They got to work immediately and worked hard to tackle it and stop it from spreading further."

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Updates:
12:22: There are no reports of casualties.
1.55pm: The fire is now being damped down, with fire service attendance reduced to five engines.

Picture: (c) Andrea Rubin, @andieruby, reproduced here with permission.

Huge fire breaks out in Folkestone

2012-02-10T12:05:00.001Z

Breaking news: Fire fighters have been called to a huge fire that has broken out in the Old High Street Folkestone this morning.

First reports say that the fire is in the upper floors of a three story building in the Old Street and started at around 11am.

Over 50 firefighters are attending according to sources.

> Folkestone fire update - latest updates.

Flood warning for homes

2012-02-09T12:50:00.002Z

Blog post by Donald Worsley, Secretary Folkestone & Hythe Labour Party

In June 2013 the previous Labour Government’s agreement with the Insurance industry to include flood damage cover on all household insurance policies comes to end. An agreement that at present affords insurance cover for flooding to 7,193 homes across Folkestone & Hythe.

We are therefore now only 15 months away from an economic and social disaster across Romney Marsh unless this reluctant Coalition now negotiates to extend this agreement for the foreseeable future.

Ending flood damage cover will not only devalue every home overnight but will also make the majority of them unsaleable. No lending institution will advance a mortgage on a property in a flood risk area without flood cover, no home owner will feel secure they can recover financially from flooding and no-one would wish to live in an area dilapidated and in terminal decline due to flood damage.

Passing the burden of flood insurance cover to individual householders in a high flood risk area is not a realistic option. The Government must continue to underwrite flood cover and not expect individuals to insure themselves against disaster, as it did so callously to women with faulty P.I.P. breast implants.

A week may be a long time in politics and fifeteen months seem some light years away for this Government but in reality the issue of security of homes across the Marsh must be addressed today before the next house goes up for sale , before the next mortgage advance is applied for and before savvy purchasers realise that not only will flood cover soon becoming to an end but before they combine that knowledge with fact that this Government cut capital expenditure on flood defences by 27% in its first year in office.

A situation that the Government’s own Environment Agency recognised only too well in 2009 when it calculated that spending on flood defences needed to rise by 9% per annum until 2015 just to maintain current levels of flood protection let alone improve them against rising sea levels due to global warming. Flood Insurance and coastal defences may not have the glamour and kudos of an Olympics or a Diamond Jubilee but if David Cameron fails to negotiate a successful outcome with the Insurance industry very quickly and just hopes that an incoming flood tide will never breach our sea defences or flooding damage properties across the Marsh then 2012 will truly be for him a year he will never forget.

More importantly, 2012 will then become the year homeowners from Lydd to Dymchurch, from Brenzett to Ruckinge witness the value and safety of their homes undermined with every centimetre of rain that falls and every millimetre rise in sea level.

Disasters can be avoided, but time and tides wait for no-one and the time for action on flood insurance is now not in June 2013.

A Super IT service for Kent

2012-02-08T15:57:00.000Z

Guest blog post by Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority

I was at the launch of a new super IT project last week, the first in the country. The project known as ‘Athena’ involves seven forces using the same IT provisions to record data in the same way. This is great news for the taxpayers of the county. It’s bad news for the criminals out there as sharing information about them will be so much easier. It makes perfect sense and is basic housekeeping in my eyes.

Five other Authorities and Forces are due to come on board with the project soon – it’s the largest IT collaboration in the UK. It is especially gratifying as the whole thing was spearheaded by our joint Kent and Essex Head of IT, Andy Barker. He has done a magnificent job for us, his hard work, professionalism and persuasive qualities were all needed in abundance – it was a bit like herding cats! For those of you who are into Greek mythology Athena is the Greek Goddess of wisdom and military victory.

I also visited the Foord ward in Folkestone to take a look at a new appointment system for victims of non-urgent crimes. Now callers will be asked if they would like to meet with an officer at a time that suits them. I actually sat in the home of a victim of crime. The feedback from the meeting was really positive and the victim was really pleased that the police had taken the time to visit and listen to hear their account of the story. It’s that personal touch that makes all the difference.

Last week I also chaired the joint Kent/Essex collaboration committee where amongst other things we heard from the commercial director from the Home Office. He came to speak to us about the Home Secretary’s plans for a national procurement company for the policing service. It’s still in the planning stage, very interesting to hear about it, especially as they hope it will be up and running by the autumn.

Other than that I’m heading to the Home Office on Thursday for a debate on Police and Crime Commissioners.

This week our Authority members will have to decide on whether they are going to freeze this year’s council tax. It’s a hard choice and a decision we will not take lightly. It’s very difficult as the economy still hasn’t picked up and it’s hard for struggling families to make ends meet, which is something we never lose sight of.

I hope people didn’t have too hard to the week what with the snow and ice. We had 15cms in Elham Valley and I spent hours of back breaking work shovelling snow off my drive in order to get to the office on Monday. My ever helpful husband got up, had his breakfast, jumped in his four wheel drive and left me to it!

> Originally published on 7th Feb. 2012 on the Kent Police Authority blog.

Featured job of the week: Life Guard at Lydd

2012-02-08T12:18:00.000Z

A South East Coast life guard is required, working 39 hours per week, 5 to 6 days per week between 9am and 6pm.

A valid lifeguard qualification is essential. Duties include day to day leisure operations including reception, life guard work, cleaning and any other related duties as required. Possible accommodation is available on-site. This is a seasonal position up until November 2012. You will be required to work at any of our sites along the South Coast. Successful applicants are required to provide a standard disclosure. Disclosure expense will be met by employer.

To apply to ask for further details telephone Jobseeker Direct on 0845 6060 234 quoting reference FOK/12869. Lines are open 8.00am - 6.00pm weekdays only or visit your local Jobcentre Plus Office and use the customer access phones provided to call Jobseeker Direct.

For more Romney Marsh, Folkestone, Ashford and SE Kent jobs visit the Romney Marsh jobs website.

Do you know this man?

2012-02-08T11:55:00.003Z

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak in connection with an alleged burglary at the Sports Direct store in High Street, Ashford, last month.

A security office at the sports store was broken into between 4.30 and 4.50pm on Wednesday 11th January and more than £3,000 cash taken from the safe.

The man Kent Police want to speak to is described as white man and in his early 20s, around 5ft 10in tall, wearing a dark coloured scarf, a two-tone grey hooded top and dark grey tracksuit bottoms and white and gold Nike trainers.

Kent Police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, if possible quoting ZY/1101/12

Level 3 weather alert issued for SE Kent

2012-02-06T13:15:00.000Z

The MET Office has warned that icy conditions are expected to continue for the rest of the week and longer and has issued a level three cold weather alert.

The level three alert is one below the emergency level and requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups with weather conditions that can be dangerous for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.

The agency says there is a "100% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions" from now (Monday 6th Feb, 1pm) until Friday in parts of England. For South East England, including Kent, they warn of an increased ice risk for Tuesday morning, with cold or very cold conditions continuing for the remainder of the week with widespread overnight frosts and a few light sleet or snow showers possible at times.

In the Telegraph newspaper, a MET Office spokesperson said that the snow, ice and freezing temperatures are likely to remain for at least a month.

Earlier weather news in Romney Marsh Times:
> Weather travel service updates for Kent, 6th Feb 2012.

Links:
MET Office

Kent roads, rail and bus service update - 6th Feb. 2012

2012-02-06T10:22:00.000Z

Following the heavy snow in Kent over the weekend, there are disruptions to train, bus and road networks around Folkestone, Romney Marsh, Ashford and South East Kent this morning - 6th Feb. 2012.

Kent Roads:
No major roads in the region are reported closed due to weather conditions. Kent Police have issued the following Winter driving advice.

• Checking the weather forecast and road conditions before you travel (see useful contacts below)

• Carrying provisions (warm, waterproofing clothing, food, water, a mobile phone if possible and a torch) and making sure you have enough petrol for your journey and

• Uing the appropriate lights or wearing high visibility clothing - poor weather conditions mean it can be harder for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists

• Adapting your driving for different weather conditions - in the wet, fog and ice, keep well back from the car in front, slow down and use appropriate lights (know where your fog lights are!)

• Keeping your vehicle in good working order - make sure brakes and lights work, fluid levels are topped up and your windscreen is clear before you set off.

More:
> Highways Agency

Trains:
Lines into London from Ashford have now reopened following an earlier broken down train between London Bridge and London Charing Cross that was causing major disruption although services are still subject to delays of up to 60 mins or revised at short notice.

More:
> Southern
> Southeastern

Buses:
Stagecoach have reported the following services:

Folkestone/Hythe, Romney Marsh: All routes are operating

Ashford: Route 652 not operating via Beech Ave; A line, Not serving Garton Est, 517 not serving Sweetbay Cresent and Goddington; C line Not serving Hurst Rd, Towers View, Broardhurst Drive. All other routes are operating.

Canterbury & Hernebay: Route 638 is being checked and we hope to operate soon, Triangle is not operating via Mount View Rd

Dover: 60 Not operating via Hillside and the Ridgeway; 61 Not operating via Francombe way; 62 Not operating via the Linces and Friars Way; Route 96 is not operating; 88, 88a,89 Will not operate via St Johns Rd. No service operating to Shepherdswell

More:
> Stagecoach Buses

Shepway Stat of the week: 19 million

2012-02-06T08:02:00.000Z

19 million is the number of passengers carried through the Channel Tunnel in 2011.

In it's figures for 2011, Groupe Eurotunnel said 19 million people and 17.7 million tonnes of freight were carried through the Channel Tunnel last year.

The company reported its revenue in 2011 increased by 16% to €844.8 million with Eurotunnel Shuttles having reporting a growth in revenue of 10%.

> Image created with http://www.wordle.net/ and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Snow blankets South East Kent

2012-02-05T07:39:00.015Z

South East Kent woke this morning (Sunday 5th Feb. 2012) to a winter wonderland after heavy snow fell across the region overnight.

Between five and 10cm fell late last night, covering Romney Marsh, Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe. Snow also fell widely across the rest of Kent.

The county has so far avoided the chaos that followed previous heavy snow falls, with Kent Police advising that most major roads were passable with care although main roads into and out of Dover were closed as of 7am. Police did however advise motorists not to travel unless their journey is "absolutely necessary".

The rail network is suffering delays and cancellations. Southeastern disruptions include:

Trains through Ashford International may be delayed by up to 40
Trains between Sittingbourne and Faversham may be delayed by up to 45 minutes
Due to poor road conditions, the replacement buses running because of engineering work are currently unable to run between Ramsgate and Minster / Ramsgate and Broadstairs / Strood and Maidstone West
Trains between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-On-Sea are currently suspended. No alternative travel arrangements are currently available.

Update: 9.24am, Police report roads into Dover port area now open again.
Update: 11.30am, Police report all train routes except Sittingbourne to Sheerness now open

Send your snow picutres to andy@romneymarshtimes.com and your snow reports below.

Further information:
Highways Agency
MET Office

Previously from Romney Marsh Times:
Kent's Top 5 coldest and snowiest winters
Top 10 Best Kent snow pictures

Picture: Lydd, Romney Marsh, Kent - 5th Feb 2012.

Snow warning across SE Kent tonight

2012-02-04T14:47:00.014Z

The Met Office has issued amber be prepared snow warnings for Kent, including Folkestone, Romney Marsh and Ashford, for tonight - Saturday 4th Feb 2012.

The MET Office notice advises, "A band of wet weather over western parts of the United Kingdom on Saturday morning will move slowly east and southeastwards across the United Kingdom during the day. As it does so it will readily turn to sleet and snow away from western and southwestern coastal areas giving accumulations of 2-5cm in places and 5-10cm widely across parts of central and eastern England."

Kent County Council has had salting lorries our throughout the week treating roads to prevent ice forming and has fully stocked 2,000 salt bins across Kent and provided more than 100 one-tonne salt bags to parishes, to help local communities beat freezing road conditions.

The Highways Agency has also issued an amber alert saying it is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions, maintain safe roads and reliable journeys. It advised drivers to plan for their journey before they set out, checking the forecast, road conditions and to leave extra time if travel conditions are poor or to delay their journey if the weather becomes severe.

Further information:
Highways Agency
MET Office

Previously from Romney Marsh Times:
Kent's Top 5 coldest and snowiest winters
Top 10 Best Kent snow pictures

Update: Kent snow report for Sunday 5th Feb. 2012

Picture: Top, (c) Getzgirl via flickr.
2nd picture: (c) Tom Weatherley, Reproduced with permission.

Flood risk to 7,000 Romney Marsh and Folkestone homes

2012-02-03T12:41:00.001Z

Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh is third in a league table of homes at risk of flooding in England and Wales according insurers.

The Association of British Insurers has warned that the flood risk faced by communities in political constituencies across England and Wales presents a 'worrying'‘ situation. It found Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire was recognised as the constituency with the most homes at significant risk of flooding followed by the Vale of Clwyd and then the Folkestone and Hythe constituency.

There are 7,196 homes at risk in the Folkestone and Hythe constituency, which includes the Romney Marsh area.

The ABI explained that it has analyzed the latest Environment Agency flood data against the 573 parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales. “This shows that, despite Government pledges to tackle the rising flood threat, thousands of homes and businesses remain at significant flood risk."

The ABI’s Director General Otto Thoresen warned: “We are running out of time to make sure that people in high risk areas are properly protected from the devastation flooding can cause and the ball is now in the Government’s court."

Further information:
Environment Agency Flood Map

Previously in Romney Marsh Times:

Marsh flood risk prompts rescue equipment upgrade, 1st Nov. 2010

Original:Localrags.co.uk

Dungeness sky-line changes forever

2012-02-02T16:26:00.001Z

The post-apocalyptic landscape of Dungeness is about to change forever as work starts on the demolition of the Dungeness A power station site.

The buildings to be knocked down are the now redundant offices and administrative building used while the Dungeness A nuclear power station was generating electricity. The power station stopped generating on 31st December 2006.

Since its construction in 1965, the vast buildings of Dungeness A and later its next-door neighbour sister Dungeness B, have dominated the sky-line of the otherwise flat Dungeness peninsular and the South East Kent coastline and have become local landmarks, loved and hated in equal measure.

The £600,000 project will now see the demolition of the former administrative building, the main site offices and the site canteen together with a number of smaller ancillary buildings including the boron dust building and flocculation tanks.

Ray Jepps, Site Director, said "This work is essential as we prepare to clear the south side of site - due to start in April 2012 – and is vital in enabling Dungeness A to reach a state of ‘care and maintenance by 2022."

> Source: Magnox

> Did you work in these buildings? Share your memories, add a commment below.

Ram-raid attempt linked to Marsh thefts

2012-02-02T13:15:00.001Z

Kent Police have linked an attempted ram-raid theft at a shop in Biddenden, near Ashford, on Tuesday (31st January) to thefts across Romney Marsh and Ashford last month

Police were called just before 3am after a vehicle was driven into the front of Turner Provisions in the High Street, Biddenden; the door was smashed but the thieves did not get into the shop. A red bumper and lighting cluster from the vehicle was found outside the shop and police have appealed to anyone who may have been asked to repair a vehicle or seen it parked to contact them.

Detective Inspector Mark Weller said "We would urge all shop owners to make sure that they contact police if they see anyone suspicious near their business, perhaps checking the security.

"It is also important to ensure that alarms and CCTV systems are working properly."

More on this story previously in Romney Marsh Times:

Police link burglaries across Romney Marsh and Ashford, 17th Jan. 2012

Cigarettes stolen in Dymchurch garage raid, 8th Jan. 2012

Elderly woman dies in Hythe house fire

2012-01-21T23:39:00.000Z

An elderly woman has died in a fire in a house in North Road, Hythe.

Firefighters were called to a house this morning following reports of a fire in the premises.

Crews used a hose reel jet and breathing apparatus to investigate reports of a person trapped in the three story building.

Kent fire service confirmed an elderly female resident was found to have died, and a male neighbouho attempted to tackle the blaze was taken to hospital with severe smoke inhalation.

The fire is not currently thought to be suspicious although investigators are awaiting forensic confirmation.

Lydd crash: two in hospital

2012-01-20T12:14:00.002Z

Two people have been taken to the William Harvey Hospital following a crash in Lydd, Romney Marsh, this morning - Friday, 20th January 2011.

The accident in Tourney Road, Lydd, happened just after 7am and involved two cars, a Renault Megane and a VW Polo, according to Police.

Police sources told Romney Marsh Times that the drivers of both cars had to be cut free from their vehicles and both where taken to hospital by ambulance although their injuries are not believed to be serious.

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The road was closed at the junction with Lydd High Street while emergency services dealt with the incident, it was reopened at 8.20am.

Soldiers fight with petrol bomb throwing rioters in Lydd

2012-01-20T11:39:00.001Z

Soldiers have been bombarded with petrol bombs and missiles during an exercise in Lydd. The troops from 3rd Battalion have been in training learning how deal with hostile crowds in a mock village at the military ranges just outside the town.

The Paratroopers are in training at Lydd ranges on Romney Marsh to learn how to deal with some of the situations that they may face in their role as the British Army’s rapid reaction force. The exercise started with the troops learning how to work together to defend each other and drive back hostile crowds, with training culminating in a large disturbance with fellow soldiers as rioters.

Major Richard Todd, Officer Commanding A Company, was reported by British Forces News as saying "As the Airborne Task Force, we are on standby to go on operations anywhere in the world at short notice. As well as conventional war fighting we could be involved in disaster relief or civil disturbances, and that might require dealing with hostile crowds."

"Learning how to deal with public order situations is a new skill for many of our soldiers, but they have really enjoyed and performed well on a challenging and extremely realistic course."

Full story at British Forces News

Police link burglaries across Romney Marsh and Ashford

2012-01-17T16:19:00.000Z

Police are appealing for information after linking a string of burglaries across Romney Marsh, Ashford and Hythe in the last fortnight.

Detectives are linking the burglaries at a post office in Tally Ho Road, Ashford, a shop in Rolvenden High Street, a newsagent in Martello Drive, Hythe, a garage shop in High Street, Dymchurch, and a shop in High Street, New Romney.

The Dymchurch burglary occurred at a garage shop and was the first business to be targeted, in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd January. Offenders removed panels of re-enforced glass, broke into a cigarette locker and stole a large quantity of cigarettes.

The newsagent in Martello Drive was burgled in the early hours of Thursday 5th January. The glass panel of a door was removed and cigarettes and vodka worth several thousand pounds were taken.

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The shop in Tally Ho Road was burgled at about 1.20am on Friday 6th January. Police say intruders smashed the glass in a door to gain entry and cigarettes worth around £1,000 were stolen.

The same night a car – believed to be a small silver hatchback - was reversed into the front door of a shop in Rolvenden High Street so offenders could gain entry and about £150 worth of whisky and beer was taken.

The final break-in occurred some time between 2.35am and 2.42am on Thursday 12 January when a red Ford Ka reversed into the door of a shop in New Romney High Street and a large quantity of cigarettes was stolen. Police sources say the Ka had been stolen from Ashford in the early hours of Sunday 8th January.

Detective Inspector Mark Weller said detectives were linking the five crimes and he urged people to remain vigilant.

He said officers had been out speaking to owners of rural businesses to make them aware of the burglaries and to offer crime prevention advice, adding "We believe that the offenders have used a small silver hatchback car to commit two of the crimes, the burglaries in Tally Ho Road and Rolvenden.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have information about the five break-ins to contact us on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime number ZY/509/12."

Source: Kent Police

Previously from Romney Marsh Times: Dymchurch garage burglary

2012-01-17T16:13:00.000Z

Shepway and Ashford boost for Olympic torch

2012-01-13T14:58:00.000Z

The Olympic torch is to pass through Shepway and Ashford and spend longer in Kent than any other UK county on its route to the Olympic opening this summer it has been confirmed.

The torch will pass through 37 towns and communities in Kent, arriving on 17th July and leaving four days later.

On its route across Kent it will be go through Hamstreet, Ashford, Hythe, Sandgate and Folkestone. It will also pass through Tunbridge Wells, Dover, Deal, Sholden, Sandwich, Great Stonar, Cliffs End, St Lawrence, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, St Peter’s, Cliftonville, Margate, Westgate-On-Sea, Birchington-On-Sea, Upstreet, Sturry, Canterbury, Thanington, Faversham, Challock, Harrietsham, Maidstone, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Gravesend, Borough Green, Seal, Sevenoaks and Riverhead.

There will also be two evening celebration stops in Dover and Maidstone as well as lunchtime stops at two Kent locations, photo stops and two breakfast stops.

More details at London 2012.

On this day: 21 dead in channel wreck, Jan 13th 1971

2012-01-13T12:51:00.001Z

On this day: 21 dead in channel wreck, Jan 13th 1971

2012-01-13T12:36:00.003Z

In the first of a new regular series, Romney Marsh Times looks back at past news and events across Romney Marsh. Starting the series, on this day in 1971 came tragic news that a German freighter had sunk in the Channel with the loss of 21 people, seven bodies recovered off of Dungeness.

The freighter, the Brandenburg with a crew of 32, hit the wreckage of a tanker - the Texaco Caribbean - that had itself collided with another vessel, exploded and sunk with the loss of eight sailor’s only hours earlier. The explosion from the Texaco Caribbean collision was heard along the Kent channel coast.

Several weeks later, another freighter - the Niki - struck the wrecks and also sunk with the loss of all lives.

As a result of the collisions, the International Maritime Organization's made the Dover Straits traffic separation scheme - in which separated lanes run through the Strait for inward and outward-bound traffic - mandatory, the first approved traffic separation scheme in the world. Prior to this the Dover Straits separation scheme was voluntary.

More on this: Report on the collisions discussed in the House of Commons: here

Report on the Texaco Caribbean: here

> Did you hear the explosion? Add your memories and recollections below.

Port Lympne wildlife park wins tourist award for second time

2012-01-11T11:43:00.000Z

Port Lympne Livingstone
Lodge wins award

Livingstone Lodge, the unique African safari experience at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, has won gold for The Best Tourism Experience in The Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2011.

The UK's only overnight safari lodge won England's Best Tourism Experience in 2010 and will now go to Visit England Awards for Excellence 2012.

Bob O'Connor Managing Director of Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks said: "It's an honour to win a gold award for Best Tourism Experience in The Beautiful South Awards for Excellence this year. It's a credit to all the staff who work so hard to make this such an exceptional product."

Bob said: "Livingstone Lodge is very popular because it is so authentic - it's a window to Africa, a wonderful experience which underlines the importance of conservation. As you watch the wildebeest, rhino and giraffe wandering past the lodge you could imagine that you are in the heart of Africa."

Picture: (c) Port Lympne Wildlife Park

SeaFrance to close

2012-01-09T15:28:00.001Z

Cross-Channel ferry operator SeaFrance, which operates ferries from Dover, has been ordered to close by a French court. The closure will see more than 100 people employed by the company here out of work. The court rejected a plan by loss-making businesses employees and buy-out bids from other organisations to try and save the firm. Full story at Sky News.

Hythe Autism group gets money seized from criminals

2012-01-09T15:09:00.004Z

An Autism support group in Hythe has received more than £5,000 from Kent Police after it was seized from two criminals.

The money had been seized from two criminals convicted of drugs offences during 2011 and was subject of crown court deprivation orders specifying that the money should be used locally by a charity or group.

Officers and staff at Folkestone police station decided the Shepway Autism Support Group should benefit and a delighted group treasurer Julie Burt collected the cheque on behalf of the group. She said: "We run clubs at the Hythe youth centre and organise other activities for young people with autism and their families. With this money we can begin the new year with confidence, knowing that we can book things throughout the year without worrying how we are going to pay for them."

Kent Police financial investigator Dan Krista picked the support group with help from colleagues. He explained: "The group is parent led and involves families who have felt themselves struggling alone as the behaviour issues of their children often alienate people who don't understand.

"Once we heard about the problems these young people, their parents and siblings face in day to day life it was not difficult to decide that they should benefit from the cash. It can now be used to positive affect to help young people in the community."