Upper Weald

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

Upper Weald Local Policing Team

Aaron Hobday

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority	Action taken
Catapults. Issued 17 July 2026	Officers continue to work with the Rural Task Force, Neighbourhood Watch and local partners to tackle catapult-related wildlife crime in Bethersden, High Halden and Great Chart. Information from the community has helped officers identify a number of young people linked to these incidents, leading to home visits and engagement with both the individuals involved and their parents. One young person has been issued with an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement, which is a voluntary agreement between the young person, their family and partner agencies that sets out clear expectations for future behaviour and encourages positive choices. Officers have also carried out proactive patrols in catapult hotspot locations identified by residents, resulting in successful stop searches and the seizure of several catapults. Through ongoing enforcement, education and partnership working, officers continue to work to prevent further offences, protect wildlife and improve community safety across Bethersden, High Halden and Great Chart. Actioned 30 September 2026
Road safety issues. Issued 17 July 2026	Officers continue to address concerns about catapult-related antisocial behaviour and wildlife crime through targeted patrols and partnership working. Using information from residents and partner agencies, officers have identified individuals linked to incidents and taken appropriate action where necessary. Patrols continue in hotspot locations to deter offending and provide reassurance to the community. This work has included engagement with young people and their families, the use of Acceptable Behaviour Agreements and other intervention measures to encourage positive behaviour and prevent further incidents. An Acceptable Behaviour Agreement is a voluntary agreement between a young person, their family and partner agencies that sets out clear expectations for future behaviour. Through proactive patrols and stop and search activity, officers have also seized a number of catapults and removed them from use. Ongoing enforcement, education and partnership working help protect local residents, prevent wildlife crime and reduce the impact of antisocial behaviour on the community. Actioned 30 September 2026
Nuisance motorcycles. Issued 17 July 2026	Following a stop search of a suspicious male in Hothfield, a motorcycle with no registration plate was located nearby and linked to a fail to stop incident from the previous day, where the bike was involved in a pursuit with firearms officers before making off. This bike was recovered by the Neighbourhood Policing Team. We have also been engaging with the local community to develop intelligence and give crime prevention advice around nuisance motorcycles. Officers attended a recent Housing Community Day hosted by Ashford Borough Council to offer advice and engage with residents and motorcyclists in Hothfield. Actioned 30 September 2026

Priority

Action taken

Catapults.

Issued 17 July 2026

Officers continue to work with the Rural Task Force, Neighbourhood Watch and local partners to tackle catapult-related wildlife crime in Bethersden, High Halden and Great Chart. Information from the community has helped officers identify a number of young people linked to these incidents, leading to home visits and engagement with both the individuals involved and their parents. One young person has been issued with an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement, which is a voluntary agreement between the young person, their family and partner agencies that sets out clear expectations for future behaviour and encourages positive choices.

Officers have also carried out proactive patrols in catapult hotspot locations identified by residents, resulting in successful stop searches and the seizure of several catapults. Through ongoing enforcement, education and partnership working, officers continue to work to prevent further offences, protect wildlife and improve community safety across Bethersden, High Halden and Great Chart.

Actioned 30 September 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 17 July 2026

Officers continue to address concerns about catapult-related antisocial behaviour and wildlife crime through targeted patrols and partnership working. Using information from residents and partner agencies, officers have identified individuals linked to incidents and taken appropriate action where necessary. Patrols continue in hotspot locations to deter offending and provide reassurance to the community.

This work has included engagement with young people and their families, the use of Acceptable Behaviour Agreements and other intervention measures to encourage positive behaviour and prevent further incidents. An Acceptable Behaviour Agreement is a voluntary agreement between a young person, their family and partner agencies that sets out clear expectations for future behaviour.

Through proactive patrols and stop and search activity, officers have also seized a number of catapults and removed them from use. Ongoing enforcement, education and partnership working help protect local residents, prevent wildlife crime and reduce the impact of antisocial behaviour on the community.

Actioned 30 September 2026

Nuisance motorcycles.

Issued 17 July 2026

Following a stop search of a suspicious male in Hothfield, a motorcycle with no registration plate was located nearby and linked to a fail to stop incident from the previous day, where the bike was involved in a pursuit with firearms officers before making off. This bike was recovered by the Neighbourhood Policing Team. We have also been engaging with the local community to develop intelligence and give crime prevention advice around nuisance motorcycles. Officers attended a recent Housing Community Day hosted by Ashford Borough Council to offer advice and engage with residents and motorcyclists in Hothfield.

Actioned 30 September 2026