Otford and Shoreham

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

Otford and ShorehamLocal Policing Team

Ashleigh Balcombe-Wilson

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

Priority	Action taken
Burglary - residential. Issued 14 April 2026	Kent Police has been actively tackling residential burglary in Otford and Shoreham through increased patrols in key residential areas and targeted reassurance visits following reported incidents. There have been five burglaries in the area over the past three months, two of which involved the theft of vehicles. Local officers have supported ongoing investigations by carrying out house-to-house enquiries where appropriate and reviewing available CCTV and forensic opportunities to help identify those responsible. Residents have also been provided with crime prevention advice covering home security, outdoor lighting, alarms and smart doorbell cameras to help reduce the risk of burglary. Ongoing engagement with the community remains an important part of this work, helping officers gather intelligence, identify patterns and prevent further offences. Residents are encouraged to join My Community Voice (MCV) to receive updates and stay in direct contact with their local neighbourhood officer. Actioned 02 July 2026
Nuisance vehicles. Issued 14 April 2026	To address concerns about nuisance vehicles in Otford and Shoreham, officers have carried out targeted patrols in identified hotspot locations, particularly at times when reports are most frequent. Speed checks are now being conducted on the Sevenoaks–Otford Road to deter dangerous and antisocial driving. Where offences have been identified, officers have taken enforcement action, including issuing Section 59 warnings and seizing vehicles linked to repeat offending. A Section 59 warning is a legal warning issued when a vehicle is used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to others. If the warning is breached within 12 months, the vehicle can be seized by police. Officers are also working closely with local partners and landowners to reduce access to areas commonly used for nuisance vehicle activity. These measures aim to deter antisocial driving, improve road safety and enhance the quality of life for local residents. To receive updates and stay in direct contact with your local neighbourhood officer, please join My Community Voice (MCV). Actioned 02 July 2026
Theft - shoplifting. Issued 14 April 2026	Kent Police continues to address shoplifting concerns in Otford and Shoreham through regular patrols of local retail areas and ongoing engagement with businesses. Officers encourage retailers to report offences promptly and share CCTV footage where available, helping to identify offenders and support investigations. Where offenders have been identified, appropriate enforcement action has been taken. Officers have also provided crime prevention advice to local businesses, including practical measures to improve security, increase staff awareness and reduce opportunities for theft. Working closely with retailers and the wider community helps officers identify repeat offenders, prevent further incidents and support local businesses. Residents and business owners are encouraged to report suspicious activity and join My Community Voice (MCV) to receive local updates and stay in contact with their neighbourhood policing team. Actioned 02 July 2026

Priority

Action taken

Burglary - residential.

Issued 14 April 2026

Kent Police has been actively tackling residential burglary in Otford and Shoreham through increased patrols in key residential areas and targeted reassurance visits following reported incidents. There have been five burglaries in the area over the past three months, two of which involved the theft of vehicles.

Local officers have supported ongoing investigations by carrying out house-to-house enquiries where appropriate and reviewing available CCTV and forensic opportunities to help identify those responsible. Residents have also been provided with crime prevention advice covering home security, outdoor lighting, alarms and smart doorbell cameras to help reduce the risk of burglary.

Ongoing engagement with the community remains an important part of this work, helping officers gather intelligence, identify patterns and prevent further offences. Residents are encouraged to join My Community Voice (MCV) to receive updates and stay in direct contact with their local neighbourhood officer.

Actioned 02 July 2026

Nuisance vehicles.

Issued 14 April 2026

To address concerns about nuisance vehicles in Otford and Shoreham, officers have carried out targeted patrols in identified hotspot locations, particularly at times when reports are most frequent. Speed checks are now being conducted on the Sevenoaks–Otford Road to deter dangerous and antisocial driving.

Where offences have been identified, officers have taken enforcement action, including issuing Section 59 warnings and seizing vehicles linked to repeat offending. A Section 59 warning is a legal warning issued when a vehicle is used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance to others. If the warning is breached within 12 months, the vehicle can be seized by police.

Officers are also working closely with local partners and landowners to reduce access to areas commonly used for nuisance vehicle activity. These measures aim to deter antisocial driving, improve road safety and enhance the quality of life for local residents. To receive updates and stay in direct contact with your local neighbourhood officer, please join My Community Voice (MCV).

Actioned 02 July 2026

Theft - shoplifting.

Issued 14 April 2026

Kent Police continues to address shoplifting concerns in Otford and Shoreham through regular patrols of local retail areas and ongoing engagement with businesses. Officers encourage retailers to report offences promptly and share CCTV footage where available, helping to identify offenders and support investigations.

Where offenders have been identified, appropriate enforcement action has been taken. Officers have also provided crime prevention advice to local businesses, including practical measures to improve security, increase staff awareness and reduce opportunities for theft.

Working closely with retailers and the wider community helps officers identify repeat offenders, prevent further incidents and support local businesses. Residents and business owners are encouraged to report suspicious activity and join My Community Voice (MCV) to receive local updates and stay in contact with their neighbourhood policing team.

Actioned 02 July 2026