Kent Police Update - April 2024

By now Christmas is a distant memory and our thoughts are turning towards the much-anticipated summer months.

As we start to see the weather improving, we also often see an increase in anti-social behaviour. This is quite simply because people are starting to spend more time outdoors.

For Kent Police, anti-social behaviour is a combination of several offences including, but not limited to, street drinking, drug offences and begging.

Begging is sadly seen in most towns up and down the country. As a community we often want to help people who are begging; however, our advice is please refrain from handing people money. Some food, a warm drink or a donation to local homeless charities would be a far more suitable way of getting these people the help they need.

Unfortunately, historically, we have had reports of what is known as “aggressive begging” - people who proactively approach residents in the town and ask for money. The victims are often vulnerable people targeted by the suspect who then persuades them to walk with the suspect to a cash machine and withdraw a specified amount of money. The victim usually has no intention of giving any money away, but feels pressured into doing so by the presence of the suspect. Further to this there is also a risk that the suspect is trying to see the PIN number typed in by the victim.

Although these offences may appear to be “low level”, the impact that this crime has on the local community can be huge. If you have an issue with anti-social behaviour in your area, please contact us on 101. We have various pieces of legislation available to us, as well as a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which covers the area of Ramsgate town centre that can be used to help combat these issues.

Over the next few months, we will be looking at organising some community events and surgeries so that you can come and share your views and concerns with us. These events will be publicised on “My Community Voice”, our two-way communication tool, which aims to not only provide you with information but also an opportunity to tell us more about your concerns.

Please contact police on 999 in an emergency or via 101 or the Kent Police website for non-urgent reporting.

We would like to hear from you about any issues you are having, information on vulnerable residents living your area of Ramsgate and any reports of outstanding community work that has been done. We truly believe working in partnership with the local community to achieve the same common goal of:

Creating a safe, clean and caring community that we can be proud of and for others to aspire to.

Written by:
PC Jason Hills 13501
PC for Central Harbour Ward