St Stephen's

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

St Stephen's Local Policing Team

Gary Sorrell

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority	Action taken
Antisocial behaviour - general. Issued 22 April 2026	Since 1 April 2026, there have been 8 reports of antisocial behaviour in the area, most of which involved young people being seen carrying catapults. Antisocial behaviour includes actions that cause nuisance, alarm or distress to others and can have a negative impact on the local community. In response, officers have carried out regular high-visibility patrols to provide reassurance to residents and deter further incidents. CCTV footage has also been reviewed in an effort to identify those involved, although enquiries have not yet resulted in any positive identifications. Officers have additionally carried out a number of stop and searches as part of efforts to prevent further incidents and address concerns raised by the community. Police will continue to patrol the area and take appropriate action to help keep local residents safe. Actioned 30 June 2026
Catapults. Issued 22 April 2026	Since April, there have been 3 reports involving young people carrying or using catapults in the area. In response, officers have carried out stop and searches in the locations highlighted by the community and increased high-visibility patrols to help deter further incidents. A stop and search is a police power that allows officers to search a person for prohibited items or evidence of criminal activity when legal grounds exist. These patrols and enforcement activities aim to provide reassurance to residents, prevent further incidents and help keep the area safe. Officers will continue to monitor the situation and respond to any concerns raised by the community. Actioned 30 June 2026
Nuisance motorcycles. Issued 22 April 2026	The only issue raised with the local neighbourhood officer has related to the council-supported Beryl bike scheme in Canterbury. Residents have reported concerns about hire bikes being left in unsuitable locations after use, which can cause inconvenience and create obstructions in public spaces. The local officer has spoken with a representative from the company, who confirmed that staff regularly check for incorrectly parked bikes and arrange for them to be collected and moved where necessary. The bikes are fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which allows the company to monitor their locations and identify bikes that have been left in inappropriate places. Officers will continue to work with the company and local partners to address any concerns raised by the community. Actioned 30 June 2026

Priority

Action taken

Antisocial behaviour - general.

Issued 22 April 2026

Since 1 April 2026, there have been 8 reports of antisocial behaviour in the area, most of which involved young people being seen carrying catapults. Antisocial behaviour includes actions that cause nuisance, alarm or distress to others and can have a negative impact on the local community. In response, officers have carried out regular high-visibility patrols to provide reassurance to residents and deter further incidents. CCTV footage has also been reviewed in an effort to identify those involved, although enquiries have not yet resulted in any positive identifications. Officers have additionally carried out a number of stop and searches as part of efforts to prevent further incidents and address concerns raised by the community. Police will continue to patrol the area and take appropriate action to help keep local residents safe.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Catapults.

Issued 22 April 2026

Since April, there have been 3 reports involving young people carrying or using catapults in the area. In response, officers have carried out stop and searches in the locations highlighted by the community and increased high-visibility patrols to help deter further incidents. A stop and search is a police power that allows officers to search a person for prohibited items or evidence of criminal activity when legal grounds exist. These patrols and enforcement activities aim to provide reassurance to residents, prevent further incidents and help keep the area safe. Officers will continue to monitor the situation and respond to any concerns raised by the community.

Actioned 30 June 2026

Nuisance motorcycles.

Issued 22 April 2026

The only issue raised with the local neighbourhood officer has related to the council-supported Beryl bike scheme in Canterbury. Residents have reported concerns about hire bikes being left in unsuitable locations after use, which can cause inconvenience and create obstructions in public spaces. The local officer has spoken with a representative from the company, who confirmed that staff regularly check for incorrectly parked bikes and arrange for them to be collected and moved where necessary. The bikes are fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which allows the company to monitor their locations and identify bikes that have been left in inappropriate places. Officers will continue to work with the company and local partners to address any concerns raised by the community.

Actioned 30 June 2026