Downs North

Your Neighbourhood Policing Team is made up of Kent Police beat officers who are dedicated to keeping your community safe. They focus on preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, responding to local concerns, and building strong relationships with residents, community groups and local businesses.

Our officers will:

patrol to deter crime and reassure the public
hold regular engagement activities in the area, including attending community meetings to share advice and listen to concerns
work with partner agencies including councils, schools, charities, and local groups
tackle issues like antisocial behaviour, repeat offending, and vulnerability
build trust by being visible, approachable, and responsive

Neighbourhood policing is a key part of Kent Police’s commitment to being community-focused, visible, and responsive.

Report crime

Please do not contact neighbourhood officers to report crime.

If it's not an emergency, the easiest way to contact us is online. Your report will be sent direct to our control room where it will be reviewed by the same team who answer our calls.

in an emergency, call 999
call 101 for non-emergency enquiries

Aaron Hopkins

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority	Action taken
Fly tipping. Issued 03 February 2026	We have been working closely with Ashford Borough Council to tackle fly‑tipping in the area. Together, we have carried out several days of action, visiting locations where fly‑tipping happens most often and speaking with people linked to these issues. During this work, several vehicles were stopped and checks were carried out on paperwork and loads to make sure waste was being transported legally. We have also been sharing information in a lawful way about scrap metal dealing in the local area. This helps the police and our partners better understand what is happening and take appropriate action where needed. As part of this joint work, a business in Hothfield was found not to be following the conditions of its scrap metal licence and was shut down. Ashford Borough Council issued a closure order, which has helped stop illegal activity linked to waste and scrap metal. We have also supported Kent County Council with enforcement work in the Furley area. An unlawful site was found to be operating an unlicensed scrap metal business that was affecting the wider district. Kent County Council has now taken action, disrupting this illegal operation and reducing its impact on local communities. Actioned 23 March 2026
Farm equipment thefts. Issued 03 February 2026	We have joined Farm Watch so we can work more closely with farmers and people living in rural areas. This helps us spot crime trends early, particularly thefts involving farm equipment and machinery. Officers have also carried out intensification weeks in areas where there have been concerns about farm break‑ins. During these weeks, officers spend extra time in hotspot areas, increasing patrols, stopping suspicious vehicles, and speaking directly with farmers and residents. This work helps prevent crime, reassure the community, and identify offenders. We have also been patrolling known “red routes”. These are routes believed to be regularly used by offenders targeting rural communities. In addition, a property‑marking event was held in Biddenden and advertised across the district. This gave farmers and landowners the opportunity to mark their equipment and machinery, helping to protect their property and make stolen items easier to trace. Actioned 23 March 2026
Road safety issues. Issued 03 February 2026	Ashford Community Safety Unit has been working to improve road safety over the past few months. The focus has been on the driving behaviours that are most dangerous and put people at risk. Officers have taken action against drivers who were not insured, did not have a valid driving licence, or were using mobile phones while driving. This work helps keep everyone safer on our roads. Recently, a local beat officer also joined Community Speedwatch volunteers on the A251 in Chilham. During one session, five speeding tickets were issued. Working alongside volunteers helps identify unsafe driving and take appropriate action. Further road safety days of action are planned in the coming months. Actioned 23 March 2026

Priority

Action taken

Fly tipping.

Issued 03 February 2026

We have been working closely with Ashford Borough Council to tackle fly‑tipping in the area. Together, we have carried out several days of action, visiting locations where fly‑tipping happens most often and speaking with people linked to these issues. During this work, several vehicles were stopped and checks were carried out on paperwork and loads to make sure waste was being transported legally.

We have also been sharing information in a lawful way about scrap metal dealing in the local area. This helps the police and our partners better understand what is happening and take appropriate action where needed.

As part of this joint work, a business in Hothfield was found not to be following the conditions of its scrap metal licence and was shut down. Ashford Borough Council issued a closure order, which has helped stop illegal activity linked to waste and scrap metal.

We have also supported Kent County Council with enforcement work in the Furley area. An unlawful site was found to be operating an unlicensed scrap metal business that was affecting the wider district. Kent County Council has now taken action, disrupting this illegal operation and reducing its impact on local communities.

Actioned 23 March 2026

Farm equipment thefts.

Issued 03 February 2026

We have joined Farm Watch so we can work more closely with farmers and people living in rural areas. This helps us spot crime trends early, particularly thefts involving farm equipment and machinery.

Officers have also carried out intensification weeks in areas where there have been concerns about farm break‑ins. During these weeks, officers spend extra time in hotspot areas, increasing patrols, stopping suspicious vehicles, and speaking directly with farmers and residents. This work helps prevent crime, reassure the community, and identify offenders.

We have also been patrolling known “red routes”. These are routes believed to be regularly used by offenders targeting rural communities.

In addition, a property‑marking event was held in Biddenden and advertised across the district. This gave farmers and landowners the opportunity to mark their equipment and machinery, helping to protect their property and make stolen items easier to trace.

Actioned 23 March 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 03 February 2026

Ashford Community Safety Unit has been working to improve road safety over the past few months. The focus has been on the driving behaviours that are most dangerous and put people at risk.

Officers have taken action against drivers who were not insured, did not have a valid driving licence, or were using mobile phones while driving. This work helps keep everyone safer on our roads.

Recently, a local beat officer also joined Community Speedwatch volunteers on the A251 in Chilham. During one session, five speeding tickets were issued. Working alongside volunteers helps identify unsafe driving and take appropriate action.

Further road safety days of action are planned in the coming months.

Actioned 23 March 2026

What members in Downs North are saying are the issues in the area:

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