Tenterden 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

Darren Laker (Kent Police, Police Constable, Ashford Neighbourhood Beat Officer)

Darren Laker

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority Action taken

Catapults.

Issued 14 April 2026

This is a priority for the next 3 months. We have identified this based on feedback from local residents, crime data, and ongoing concerns in the area.

We’ll publish an update in the coming months to let you know what we’ve done, what progress has been made, and what’s next.

Actioned 14 April 2026

Drug dealing.

Issued 14 April 2026

This is a priority for the next 3 months. We have identified this based on feedback from local residents, crime data, and ongoing concerns in the area.

We’ll publish an update in the coming months to let you know what we’ve done, what progress has been made, and what’s next.

Actioned 14 April 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 14 April 2026

This is a priority for the next 3 months. We have identified this based on feedback from local residents, crime data, and ongoing concerns in the area.

We’ll publish an update in the coming months to let you know what we’ve done, what progress has been made, and what’s next.

Actioned 14 April 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 03 February 2026

We have been working with the Special Constabulary to carry out speed checks in the local area. Special Constables have been supporting the local beat officer, including checks on the A28 through Tenterden, which has been identified as a speeding hotspot. These checks followed reports from local residents about traffic‑related offences. During this work, three vehicles were stopped.

One driver was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and remains under police investigation. Another driver was charged with driving while disqualified.

In a separate case, an adult male from Tenterden failed to attend court after being arrested for driving while disqualified. The local beat officer later located him at an address in Tenterden. He has since received a 12‑month suspended prison sentence and an extended driving ban.

We are also working with Community Speedwatch groups to help tackle speeding in problem areas. Further speed checks are planned in Tenterden and nearby villages. We will continue to listen to residents and take action to keep our roads safe.

Actioned 23 March 2026

Catapults.

Issued 03 February 2026

By working closely with the local community, we have identified people involved in catapult‑related antisocial behaviour in the Tenterden area. Two young people have been given Acceptable Behaviour Agreements. An Acceptable Behaviour Agreement sets clear rules and positive actions. It helps the police work with the young person and their family to stop the behaviour and prevent further problems involving catapults.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will soon be open for public consultation. This will give residents the opportunity to share their views on whether new rules should be introduced. These could include restrictions on carrying catapults or items that could be used as projectiles in the Tenterden town area. If introduced, a PSPO would give extra powers and support stronger joint working between Kent Police and Ashford Borough Council.

In Wittersham, the Rural Task Force has issued a Community Protection Warning to a person linked to catapult incidents. A Community Protection Warning sets clear conditions that must be followed. If these conditions are broken again, this could lead to a Community Protection Notice, which may result in a fine or arrest.

We will continue to respond to reports involving catapults and carry out regular patrols in areas where problems have been reported.

Actioned 23 March 2026

Drug dealing.

Issued 03 February 2026

We are continuing to take action against people and addresses linked to drug dealing in the local community.

After concerns were raised about drug supply at a property in Tenterden, officers carried out several drug warrants at that address and other linked locations. This resulted in drugs being seized and a number of people being arrested. We have also been working closely with housing associations where there are concerns about drug use at properties. Following joint work between Kent Police and Ashford Borough Council, a full closure order was granted at a property in Longfield. This means the occupant is not allowed to return to the address. The order followed reports of criminal and disruptive behaviour linked to drug use.

In another case, we supported a housing association to obtain a civil injunction. This places strict conditions on certain individuals, stopping them from entering a property. The injunction includes powers of arrest if breached and was put in place after reports of antisocial behaviour linked to drug use and drug‑related parties.

We continue to act on information from the community and encourage residents to report any concerns about drug use or drug dealing in their area.

Actioned 23 March 2026

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

Latest Alerts

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Licencing Checks

Police and Licensed Premises Working Together to Keep Tenterden SafeOfficers from the Ashford Neighb...

Kent Police
17/04/2026 23:39:44

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Special Constabulary recruitment and information event

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Spring Newsletter

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16/04/2026 14:24:34

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🚨 Community Safety Alert – Police Impersonation Scam Trend in Ashford 🚨

We are making residents in Ashford aware of a recent increase in scam phone calls yesterday from peo...

Kent Police
16/04/2026 13:41:06

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3 KFAS Fraud Alerts

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13/04/2026 18:27:48

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Funding Opportunity - The Police Property Act Fund is now open for applications

Spring Funding Opportunity for Kent Organisations! The Police Property Act Fund is now open for app...

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08/04/2026 12:34:07

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04/04/2026 18:23:04

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5 KFAS Fraud Alerts

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Upcoming Events

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Meet Police
  • Nibbles Railway Cafe (booking is essential), Rye Road, TN18 5PN
  • 30/04/2026 09:00
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Meet Police
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Meet Police
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Tenterden Parish Meeting
  • Highbury Hall Tenterden, Highbury Lane, TN30 6LE
  • 18/05/2026 19:00
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Tenterden Annual Town Meeting
  • Highbury Hall Tenterden, Highbury Lane, TN30 6LE
  • 18/05/2026 19:00
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