This is the Plaxtol Village website.

Friday, May 29, 2009 - 08:22 AM

I recently attended a counter terrorism lecture, part of our ongoing training with regard to the problem of terrorist activities in this country. What’s that got to do with the communities served by this website I hear you cry. My answer to that is that it has everything to do with us. Terrorism is not something, which is going to go away, it affects us all. The terrorist and the cause may have changed, but what has not changed since my time as a police officer in London during the early 80’s, at the height of the IRA troubles is the need for us all to play a part in combating this problem. Terrorists may well target high profile sites in our major cities but they live and work and plan their crimes while living as our next-door neighbours, in our communities. That makes us all best placed to notice and report suspicious activity, which may be linked to terrorism.

How often after an attack have people been surprised that those responsible have lived in their street, shopped in the same shops. Then all of a sudden that odd behaviour, the strange comings and goings all make sense, but it’s too late then.

Last year in a parish nearby we were called to a house fire in a quiet residential street. The happy chilled out members of the fire service, refusing to use their breathing apparatus were an indication that something odd was going on, just joking, they had stumbled on a house being used to grow cannabis. All right this had nothing to do with terrorism, but it proves a point, for when we started talking to neighbours many mentioned having seen odd activity related to the property, none of which had been reported.

So please if you do have concerns or suspicions let us know, don’t wait until after the attack.

Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green

Monday, May 04, 2009 - 07:52 PM

Fly tipping – It’s probably a problem we all recognise even if we are unsure of how it got its name. The Tipping bit is fairly easy and probably comes from the tilting up of a truck or container so as to discharge its contents. The Fly is perhaps a little more obscure but seems to have been slang for wide or clever. We use it to describe something, which is crafty or dishonest. Fly tipping is therefore the illegal dumping of rubbish. More often than not at the roadside, in fields, woodlands and gateways, piles of unsightly rubbish are becoming commonplace. It’s amazing what you come across; yes it was me you may have seen trying to strike up a tune on half a piano dumped in The Hurst.

This is a problem, which I doubt will go away and may well become worse. We all know that landslides take place even though it’s rare to see them, much the same could be said about fly tipping, we know it’s taking place but how often do you come across it in progress. It is therefore a difficult issue to police.

That said we can all play a part in reporting dumped rubbish on public or council land or on the highway to the borough Council. The prompt removal of rubbish is key to stopping an area becoming an unauthorised tip. It is also important to consider when you pay someone to clear out your garage or workshop where that rubbish will end up, be careful who you use or it could end up on the roadside. If you do see it going on please try to get the registrations of the vehicles involved and pass the information on to the Council or the police.

In the long-term perhaps we need to look at the rules and regulations governing local authority tips, perhaps if it was easier and cheaper to dispose of rubbish legally there would be less of a problem with illegal dumping, but that’s just a thought.

Antony Wiles PC8024 – Borough Green

Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 05:36 PM

 Plaxtol WI - report of April 2009 Meeting.  Speaker Ela O'Farrell o­n "Polish Seasons - What's Cooking?"

Tuesday, April 07, 2009 - 04:51 PM

A plant fair will be held at Basted Farmhouse (turn right at the bottom of Plough Hill) o­n Friday 5th June 2009, from 10.30 am - 1.00 pm.  In addition to a good selection of perennial and annual plants there will be stationery and cards from Phoenix Trading.  There is ample parking in the field, and tea and coffee will be available.  All profits from the sale go to Sevenoaks Mencap, a local independently funded charity supporting those with learning difficulties in the Sevenoaks area.

For further information please call Tessa Baker o­n 01732 780889

Tuesday, April 07, 2009 - 04:50 PM

The next Plaxtol Footpath Group Walk is o­n Sunday 10th May, and will be starting from the Plough Pub, Basted at 2pm.  Parking will be available in Bridge House Car Park (on the right at the bottom of Plough Hill).  We are aiming to walk through Basted Woodlands, up to Crouch and back along the Bourne Valley.

It will take approximately two hours and could be a bit muddy and steep in places.  If you have need further information please call Tessa Baker o­n 01732 780889

Friday, April 03, 2009 - 04:51 PM

Some years ago I was visiting a friend in Holland, a country that is well known for its liberal views o­n cannabis, but I was a little surprised o­ne evening to find my friend rolling a joint which he cheerfully told me he was making to take to his grandfather in hospital. I was more concerned o­n arrival back at Stansted airport as I watched an excited drug sniffing spaniel leaping all over the bags in the baggage reclaim area as it dawned o­n me that my bag had been under the table where I had seen the joint being made, could anything have fallen in, luckily not but I looked a little nervous. [cont.]

Monday, March 09, 2009 - 01:05 PM

There's still plenty of time to join the campaign.Although our active campaigning ends o­n 31 May, we still need as many residents as possible to take the Safe Lanes Driver Pledge and commit to safe, slow driving in Plaxtol.  o­nly with everyone's support can we create a local culture where driving too fast is unacceptable.  Do something for the community today - take the Safe Lanes Driver Pledge.  Go to our web page for more details. 

Monday, February 23, 2009 - 11:43 AM

The latest report from Plaxtol WI can now be found in the WI section. The next meeting is in the Memorial Hall at 7.45pm o­n Thursday 5th March when Jack Wheeler will be talking about "Japanese Gardens".

General: What is a Distraction Burglary

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 05:41 PM

It is a crime, which is targeted at the more vulnerable in our communities, the elderly and the ill or disabled, those who often live alone. As I write this there have been a total of ten such crimes in the West Kent police area this year and I am sure that by the time you read this there will have been others. Two of these crimes were committed in Platt and Borough Green so they are not something that happens elsewhere, they affect us as well.

The offenders will use some story to gain entry to your home; they often pretend to be an official from a gas, water or electricity company. Whatever story is given and they are many and varied its sole purpose is to get you to allow them into your home. Once inside you will be kept occupied in the kitchen filling basins of water or looking under the sink while another offender is looking for your purse or handbag. If you are asked for change for a £10 note that’s just so they can see where you keep your money.

We can all think of vulnerable people in our communities who could become victims. It falls to us all to keep an eye on them, to intervene if we see them letting people into their homes. We will often be able to recognise their normal pattern of visitors, so if something looks out of place take some action, even if its just calling round to borrow some sugar, that simple action could deter the offenders and make them leave.

We can also educate our family and friends, make them aware of the issues. The message we need to get across is that you do not let people into your homes unless you are sure of them.
Utility companies do not usually turn up unannounced, they do not need to come into your home to turn the water off, they can do that in the road and they certainly won’t ask you to fill up buckets of water and watch the kitchen tap for blue dye to come through. Do not let these people in, if necessary leave them on the doorstep and phone a friend to come and verify who they are.

We can all help in preventing this sort of crime; we can all play a part in getting this message across. It is important to act quickly if you think such a crime is taking place, phone the police and above all record details of any vehicles involved, that one registration may be so important in the bigger picture, please report anything suspicious.

If you are part of a group or organisation, maybe the WI or a coffee or lunch group and you feel that the group would benefit from a visit by me to explain these issues then please get in touch on 01732 379391.

Antony Wiles PC8024
8024@kent.pnn.police.uk

Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 10:07 AM

With the departure of Andy Swanson the PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) for the parishes of Borough Green and Wrotham and the appointment of his successor Mark Thomas we have taken the opportunity to make a few changes.
Mark will have responsibility for Borough Green as did his predecessor but will lose Wrotham. He will instead have a responsibility for Ightham, Platt, Plaxtol and Shipbourne, parishes which previously had no PCSO assigned to them.
This is good news for Plaxtol as it means you now have a Police officer and a PCSO.

What is a PCSO - they are members of the support staff employed, directed and managed by Kent Police. They work to complement and support regular police officers, providing a visible and accessible uniformed presence to improve the quality of life in the community and offer greater public reassurance - you can see I've just read the manual.

Once Mark has finished his training he will be out and about with me and I will be introducing him to you.

Antony Wiles PC8024 - Borough Green