Notice Board

Monday, 26 November 2018

Project KRAKEN - Report Suspicious Activity Near the Coastline

Photos: David Metcalfe and Ed Gransden.

At around 5:00am on 15th November, a red coaching launch belonging to Medway Towns Rowing Club was stolen. Later that morning at 9:00am, the owners of Sailing Smack, Thistle, moored off Shoregate Creek, Upchurch reported to Kent Police that the launch had become stranded at low tide and a group of intruders acting suspiciously (possibly illegal immigrants or people smugglers) were now aboard their vessel.

The Coast Guard attended around lunchtime and loud hailed the Smack, when nobody responded they stood down and didn’t return. Once the tide was in, the owners managed to board their Smack but the intruders and the red launch were already gone. Some items were stolen, firewood had been burned and some foil blankets had been left behind.

The same day around 5:00pm, a committee member at Lower Halstow Yacht Club was alerted to a jetty fire. The fire was extinguished and the red launch was found to be the cause. Kent Fire and Rescue Service attended with 3 appliances and moved the burnt remains of the launch, placing it alongside the slip.

It’s not known when, or if Kent Police attended and their response has been branded 'incompetent' and 'ineffectual', resulting in the abandoned launch being completely destroyed, and causing serious damage to the jetty.

The suspected illegal immigrants or people smugglers travelling aboard the launch appear to have escaped too. It’s believed they could have been easily intercepted by the Coast Guard and Kent Police as the tide came in.

Project KRAKEN

Project KRAKEN is a joint National Crime Agency, Police, and Border Force initiative aimed at encouraging the public to report suspicious or unusual activity around the UK’s coastline and maritime environment.

There are nearly 20,000 miles of coastline, and a complex network of estuaries, navigable rivers, coves, inlets, ports and harbours, all of which can be exploited by terrorists and serious criminals.

Authorities want you to report any unusual or suspicious behaviour in these and other maritime environments. No matter how trivial it may seem; if it looks out of the ordinary, they want to know about it.

Whether you work in the maritime industries, are a keen sailor, or are just walking along the coast, your local knowledge and your experience of the maritime world means you are well placed to spot anything unusual.

By working together you can help to prevent terrorists and organised criminals posing a threat to your neighbours, your pastimes, your businesses and your livelihoods. They will exploit any opening they find.

How can you help?

What to report

Report any unusual or suspicious activity near the coastline and in maritime environments. This could include, among others:

• Crew who show signs of nervousness or lack of awareness of maritime protocols.

• Vessels showing signs of unusual modification or minor damage.

• Increased activity at isolated coastal locations or at unusual times of the day.
• Attempts to signal to vessels offshore or guide them into an unusual location.

• Strange patterns of payment, such as large amounts of cash.

• People testing site security or an unusual interest in site structures and wharfs.

What should you do?

How to report suspicious activity

If you see unusual or suspicious activity, report it to Kent Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111 and quote 'KRAKEN'

If you want to anonymously report your information online, visit: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Record as much information as you can - the smallest detail could be significant.
Do not take direct action against any individuals or groups.

If it is an emergency, call 999

Upchurch Matters

Space

Saturday, 24 November 2018

Payout Celebration Day at the Co-op - Upchurch

On Saturday 24th November 2018, thousands of Co-op colleagues celebrated the £19m members have raised for local causes across the country during the last round of funding in their Co-op Local Community Fund.

Co-op Members shopping in Upchurch have helped raise £4997.28 for our local causes. To celebrate, Co-op colleague Sally Butcher presented Sandy and John Tutt from the Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee with a cheque for £1738.88, money which was raised by Co-op members who chose the Village Hall as their local cause during the last 12 month round of funding which began in November 2017.

1% for local causes

The co-op give 1% of what members spend on Co-op branded food products in their stores and selected services, as well as money raised from sales of carrier bags and Co-op scratch cards, to local causes.

So just by buying a pint of milk from one of their stores, you could help make things better in your community.

You can choose which cause you want your own 1% to go to.

Any money raised by members who don’t select a cause is added to the money raised from shopping bag sales and shared equally between the causes in your local area.

5% for you

When you buy selected products and services from Co-op Group businesses, including their food stores, they’ll put 5% of what you spend into your Co-op Membership account.

Choose your local cause

The next round of funding has begun. Co-op members can now choose their next local cause by signing into their membership account online.

The co-op chooses new causes every 12 months.

Members can sign in to see the causes their local Co-op is supporting and choose which one they want their own money to go to.

Sign in to your membership account if you haven’t already chosen at: www.coop.co.uk/membership

Upchurch Matters

Space

Alec New 1930 - 2018

Alec New died in hospital on Wednesday 21st November after a very short illness. I would like to thank all those who have already sent messages of love and support. I really appreciated the help it has given me and my family.

Alec's funeral will take place on Monday 10th December at 1:00pm in St. Mary's Church followed by a cremation at The Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing at 2:00pm.

We would prefer family flowers only but should you wish to donate in Alec's memory, St. Mary's Church is his chosen charity. Cheques should be made payable to Upchurch PCC and either sent to John Weir Funeral Directors at 130 - 132 High Street, Rainham, Kent ME8 8AR or brought along on the day.

Alec had already planned his funeral service and his friends will be most welcome to join us. Refreshments will follow at Upchurch Cricket Club Pavilion in Holywell Lane, Upchurch.

The family would like everyone to dress wearing lovely bright colours if possible, not black funeral clothes.

Thank you

Pat New
Space