Message from the Kent Police Romney Marsh Beat Officer

Published: 04 December 2023

"This time of the year can see an increase in crime, in particular thefts and burglaries and although the Romney Marsh is a very safe place to live we all have to be on our guard just a bit more than usual.

Unfortunately we have suffered from a few thefts and burglaries in the Lydd and Brookland areas this week and I have been working as hard and thorough as possible for the victims of these crimes and also to assist my colleagues on the investigation side of things and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those residents who have assisted me so far with me just turning up and asking about their CCTV!

On the subject of CCTV, if anyone has CCTV in the area of Dennes Lane/Caldecot Lane/Midley Wall/Beggarsbush Lane/Wheelsgate Lane/Swamp Road (by the Rose and Crown PH) please email me direct 13183@kent.police.uk and I will let you know the dates and times.

If anyone in the area of Brookland High Street/Boarman's Lane/Salter's Lane/King Street (Brookland or Brenzett)/Brack Lane/Grove Lane and surrounding lanes to Brack and Grove, please email me as above.

Without sounding like I'm teaching you to how 'suck eggs' as that's not my intention, please lock your vehicles whether it's on your driveway or outside your home in the road or you're just dropping something off and will be returning to your vehicle very soon as it only takes seconds for it or items in it to be stolen.

Please review your CCTV systems from time to time to make sure it's working as it should do, the amount of times I've asked for CCTV footage and the owner realises only then that their subscription for the footage storage has lapsed or the batteries have run out etc, if you've got CCTV it may as well be working to help protect your property and others.

Any vehicle can be attractive to thieves especially 4x4s so please find out if your vehicle has a tracker fitted (this can be for any vehicle) if it hasn't, some people secrete portable tracking type devices on their vehicles which are a relatively cheaper option, make sure your vehicle keys are well away from the front and back doors of your home to make it harder for thieves using devices to boost the signal that is transmitted from the keys to the vehicle's computer, this is normally for vehicles with 'keyless' entry but it's good practice to keep your keys in a secure place like 'Faraday' bags.

Make sure your security lights are working especially with these long dark evenings and if you haven't got security lighting I'd recommend considering this simple option as would be thieves don't like being in the limelight!!

As I said earlier, the Romney Marsh is a very safe and beautiful area to live and work in and I will do everything in my power to keep it that way with the assistance of colleagues but also you as residents so apart from the CCTV appeal can I also ask that you remain vigilant especially in the more rural areas, if you see something that looks out of the ordinary or you have a 'gut feeling' that something is suspicious then please don't hesitate to report it to us, if you think it needs an immediate police response then it's 999 and for anything else it's the Kent Police online reporting tool or ring 101.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. "