Bircholt

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

Bircholt Local Policing Team

Aaron Hopkins (Police, Police Constable, Ashford Neighbourhood Beat Officer)

Aaron Hopkins

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority Action taken

Road safety issues.

Issued 17 July 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 17 July 2026

Wildlife crime issues.

Issued 17 July 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 17 July 2026

Fly tipping.

Issued 17 July 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 17 July 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 14 April 2026

Following proactive patrols between Folkestone and Ashford along the A20 corridor, officers from the Folkestone Neighbourhood Team stopped a foreign HGV on the A20 at Mersham. Several kilos of cocaine were found concealed in the back of the vehicle. One person was arrested and charged with being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a Class A drug, which means they are accused of being involved in trying to unlawfully bring drugs into the country or avoid checks.

Officers have also carried out proactive patrols around Challock, Canterbury Road and Buck Street after reports of antisocial riding linked to car meets. Following one report of antisocial driving, a driver was issued with a Section 59 notice. A Section 59 notice is a legal warning that can be given when a vehicle is used in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to others. If the driver breaches the notice, police can seize the vehicle.

Speed checks have also continued on the A252, with one driver issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for speeding. A TOR is a formal record used when someone is suspected of committing a road traffic offence and may lead to a fine, a driver education course or a court appearance. In Charing, another person was arrested after failing to provide a breath sample at the roadside, which is a test used to check whether someone may be over the drink-drive limit. They remain under investigation while enquiries continue.

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 traced and recovered the stolen items by identifying and locating a suspect vehicle. 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 will continue to carry out patrols in the area and are sharing crime prevention advice through My Community Voice to help residents protect their property and reduce the risk of theft.

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 in 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 across rural areas and are promoted through My Community Voice. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about protecting their property and reducing the risk of crime.

Rural neighbourhood officers are also members of FarmWatch, a scheme that brings together farmers, landowners, rural businesses and police to share information about crime and suspicious activity. FarmWatch helps officers provide crime prevention advice, improve communication with the rural community and respond quickly to emerging concerns. By working closely with local residents and businesses, officers can help prevent crime, gather valuable information and keep rural communities safe.

Actioned 30 June 2026

What members in Bircholt are saying are the issues in the area:

Latest Alerts

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Tackling Speeding Motorists!

Beat Officers PC Hobday and PC Hopkins have been out this afternoon and conducted multiple speed che...

Kent Police
18/08/2026 21:49:06

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Ashford Neighbourhood Task Force Delivers Positive Result Following Theft Investigation

Following a report of a theft from a property in the Brabourne Lees area, officers from the Ashford ...

Kent Police
16/08/2026 08:04:54

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💬 Help Us Build a Stronger Community!

Resident Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay safe. My Community Voice (MCV) is Kent Police's f...

Kent Police
14/08/2026 18:47:16

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McDonalds joint working meeting re ASB motorists

Today, officers from Ashford Community Safety Unit met with the management team at McDonald's, Chart...

Kent Police
07/08/2026 13:36:38

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Welcome to the Fraud & Cyber Crime Group

Resident Hello and welcome to our new Fraud & Cyber Crime Group. This group has been cre...

Kent Police
06/08/2026 12:16:52

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Abandoned Vehicle Seized - Squids Gate Lane

Dear Residents, Following recent reports from residents in Charing regarding an abandoned vehicle ...

Kent Police
04/08/2026 15:03:21

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Community Engagement Session - Have Your Say : Wed 07 Oct 14:00

Dear Resident, I will be holding a surgery at The Hub, Wye, Ashford, TN25 5BX on Wednesday 7t...

Kent Police
04/08/2026 08:02:43

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The Butterfly Project - Walk and Talk : Fri 14 Aug 18:00

Dear Resident, Neighbourhood Officers will be holding The Butterfly Project - Walk and Talk, ...

Kent Police
28/07/2026 11:13:45

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Upcoming Events

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Coffee with a Cop - Tackling Your Priorities
...
Community Engagement Session - Have Your Say

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