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

Downs North Local Policing Team

Aaron Hopkins

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority	Action taken
Road safety issues. Issued 14 April 2026	Following proactive patrols along the A20 corridor between Folkestone and Ashford, officers from the Folkestone Neighbourhood Team stopped an overseas HGV on the A20 at Mersham. During a search of the vehicle, officers found several kilos of cocaine concealed in the rear of the trailer. One person was arrested and charged with being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a Class A drug offence. Officers have also carried out proactive patrols around Challock, Canterbury Road and Buck Street following reports of antisocial riding linked to car meets. Following one report of antisocial driving, a driver was issued with a Section 59 warning. A Section 59 warning is a legal warning that police can issue when a vehicle is being used in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. If the same driver or vehicle is involved in further antisocial use within 12 months, police have the power to seize the vehicle. Road safety enforcement has also continued across the area. Speed checks have been carried out along the A252, resulting in one driver being issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for speeding. A TOR is a formal record created by police when someone is suspected of committing a road traffic offence and may result in a fixed penalty notice, a driver education course or a court appearance. In Charing, another individual was arrested after failing to provide a roadside breath sample, which is used to check whether a driver may be over the legal alcohol limit. Enquiries into this matter remain ongoing. Actioned 30 June 2026
Residential burglary. Issued 14 April 2026	Following a report that gates had been stolen from a residential property in the Hastingleigh area, officers carried out enquiries and quickly located and recovered the stolen items after identifying a vehicle suspected of being involved. During the investigation, additional gates believed to have been stolen were also recovered. Several individuals were arrested in connection with the offences and remain subject to bail conditions while enquiries continue. Neighbourhood officers continue to carry out patrols across the area and are sharing crime prevention advice through My Community Voice to help residents protect their property, reduce the risk of theft and stay informed about local policing activity. Actioned 30 June 2026
Farm equipment thefts. Issued 14 April 2026	Neighbourhood officers have been working alongside the Rural Task Force to deliver property marking events across local rural communities. Property marking involves adding a unique identifying mark to valuable items, making them easier to trace and return to their owners if they are lost or stolen. These events are held regularly throughout the year and are promoted through My Community Voice. Local residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about protecting their property and reducing the risk of crime. Rural neighbourhood officers are also involved in FarmWatch, a partnership scheme that brings together farmers, landowners, rural businesses and police to share information about crime and suspicious activity in rural areas. FarmWatch helps officers provide crime prevention advice, strengthen links with the rural community and respond quickly to developing information and emerging concerns. By working closely with local residents and businesses, officers can help prevent crime, gather valuable information and support safer rural communities. Actioned 30 June 2026

Priority

Action taken

Road safety issues.

Issued 14 April 2026

Following proactive patrols along the A20 corridor between Folkestone and Ashford, officers from the Folkestone Neighbourhood Team stopped an overseas HGV on the A20 at Mersham. During a search of the vehicle, officers found several kilos of cocaine concealed in the rear of the trailer. One person was arrested and charged with being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a Class A drug offence.

Officers have also carried out proactive patrols around Challock, Canterbury Road and Buck Street following reports of antisocial riding linked to car meets. Following one report of antisocial driving, a driver was issued with a Section 59 warning. A Section 59 warning is a legal warning that police can issue when a vehicle is being used in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. If the same driver or vehicle is involved in further antisocial use within 12 months, police have the power to seize the vehicle.

Road safety enforcement has also continued across the area. Speed checks have been carried out along the A252, resulting in one driver being issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for speeding. A TOR is a formal record created by police when someone is suspected of committing a road traffic offence and may result in a fixed penalty notice, a driver education course or a court appearance. In Charing, another individual was arrested after failing to provide a roadside breath sample, which is used to check whether a driver may be over the legal alcohol limit. Enquiries into this matter remain ongoing.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Residential burglary.

Issued 14 April 2026

Following a report that gates had been stolen from a residential property in the Hastingleigh area, officers carried out enquiries and quickly located and recovered the stolen items after identifying a vehicle suspected of being involved. During the investigation, additional gates believed to have been stolen were also recovered. Several individuals were arrested in connection with the offences and remain subject to bail conditions while enquiries continue.

Neighbourhood officers continue to carry out patrols across the area and are sharing crime prevention advice through My Community Voice to help residents protect their property, reduce the risk of theft and stay informed about local policing activity.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Farm equipment thefts.

Issued 14 April 2026

Neighbourhood officers have been working alongside the Rural Task Force to deliver property marking events across local rural communities. Property marking involves adding a unique identifying mark to valuable items, making them easier to trace and return to their owners if they are lost or stolen. These events are held regularly throughout the year and are promoted through My Community Voice. Local residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about protecting their property and reducing the risk of crime.

Rural neighbourhood officers are also involved in FarmWatch, a partnership scheme that brings together farmers, landowners, rural businesses and police to share information about crime and suspicious activity in rural areas. FarmWatch helps officers provide crime prevention advice, strengthen links with the rural community and respond quickly to developing information and emerging concerns. By working closely with local residents and businesses, officers can help prevent crime, gather valuable information and support safer rural communities.

Actioned 30 June 2026