Bearsted & Downswood

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

James Phillips

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
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
Highway obstructions. 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
Antisocial behaviour - nuisance. Issued 03 February 2026	Officers are carrying out regular patrols across the area and are working closely with local residents and businesses to prevent nuisance behaviour. We also encourage people to report incidents so those involved can be identified and dealt with appropriately. Where young people are identified as causing ongoing issues, officers take proportionate action. This can include Acceptable Behaviour Agreements, which are voluntary agreements made with a child and their parents to help stop problem behaviour. Officers may also use educational workbooks and make referrals to diversionary courses run by the Child‑Centred Policing Team to support positive behaviour change. Actioned 30 March 2026
Highways obstructions. Issued 03 February 2026	Beat officers have been engaging with local vehicle owners to make sure roads and pavements are not being dangerously obstructed and that vehicles meet road traffic law requirements. Any reported obstructions are attended and assessed. Where possible, officers locate and speak with the registered keeper to resolve the issue. Untaxed vehicles may be seized, and abandoned vehicles can be referred to Maidstone Borough Council’s Waste Crime Team for removal where appropriate. Actioned 30 March 2026
Road safety issues. Issued 03 February 2026	Officers have continued regular patrols in marked police vehicles across the area. As part of this work, a number of vehicles have been stopped and dealt with for a range of traffic offences. This has included action for poor vehicle condition and speeding, as well as vehicle seizures where there is no valid tax or insurance. Patrols will continue, and officers will take action where traffic offences are identified. Actioned 30 March 2026

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

Road safety issues.

Issued 14 April 2026

Actioned 14 April 2026

Highway obstructions.

Issued 14 April 2026

Actioned 14 April 2026

Antisocial behaviour - nuisance.

Issued 03 February 2026

Officers are carrying out regular patrols across the area and are working closely with local residents and businesses to prevent nuisance behaviour. We also encourage people to report incidents so those involved can be identified and dealt with appropriately.

Where young people are identified as causing ongoing issues, officers take proportionate action. This can include Acceptable Behaviour Agreements, which are voluntary agreements made with a child and their parents to help stop problem behaviour. Officers may also use educational workbooks and make referrals to diversionary courses run by the Child‑Centred Policing Team to support positive behaviour change.

Actioned 30 March 2026

Highways obstructions.

Issued 03 February 2026

Beat officers have been engaging with local vehicle owners to make sure roads and pavements are not being dangerously obstructed and that vehicles meet road traffic law requirements.

Any reported obstructions are attended and assessed. Where possible, officers locate and speak with the registered keeper to resolve the issue. Untaxed vehicles may be seized, and abandoned vehicles can be referred to Maidstone Borough Council’s Waste Crime Team for removal where appropriate.

Actioned 30 March 2026

Road safety issues.

Issued 03 February 2026

Officers have continued regular patrols in marked police vehicles across the area. As part of this work, a number of vehicles have been stopped and dealt with for a range of traffic offences.

This has included action for poor vehicle condition and speeding, as well as vehicle seizures where there is no valid tax or insurance. Patrols will continue, and officers will take action where traffic offences are identified.

Actioned 30 March 2026

What members in Bearsted & Downswood are saying are the issues in the area:

Agree or not? Have your say now, click here to do the survey