Maidstone

Disabled children living in Kent remain at “severe risk” of school placement delays, a report reveals.

A total of 25 youngsters, in the care of Kent County Council, are still waiting to be transferred to a school that suits their educational needs despite having an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Six of these children have remained without “suitable education” since February 2018.

BBC

The latest figures were released as part of a Kent County Council report that was published on 10 September ahead of next week’s corporate parental meeting on 17 September.

Kent County Council

In February 2018, a total of 42 disabled children with EHCPs were waiting to be transferred to a school which suited their educational needs.

That number has dropped to 25 in June this year — a 40% decrease.

A motorcyclist is in a serious condition following a crash in Frittenden, Kent.

The crash, involving a black Yamaha motorcycle and a black Renault Laguna, took place on the A229 Cranbrook Road near Knox Bridge at around 15:15 BST on Sunday.

The motorcyclist was taken to a London Hospital.

Maidstone town centre will have an increased police presence following the fatal stabbing of Andre Bent.

Kent Police said it would deploy additional patrols and use knife arches in various areas of the town after the 21-year-old was killed in the High Street.

Officers will also be handing out leaflets to appeal for information as the force continues its murder investigation.

Five men have been arrested so far. Four of them have been charged with violent disorder while the fifth has been bailed.

In the South East, Oliver and Olivia have been revealed as the most popular baby names.

The figures are from 2018 and some believe the show Peaky Blinders has been an inspiration behind many of the choices.

BBC

BBC

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Kent Police

A fifth man arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in Maidstone has been released on bail.

Andre Bent, from Lambeth, London, was stabbed to death in Maidstone town centre at about 03:00 BST on Sunday.

Four men have been charged with violent disorder and are due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court.

The fifth man, a 23-year-old from London, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and perverting the course of justice. He has been released on bail.

Kent Police said it has recovered two knives from the scene of the attack.

Kent Police

Detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the reported robbery of a pensioner in Maidstone.

The victim, who is aged in his 80s, had money stolen while he was using a cash machine at a petrol station in Ashford Road, near the junction with Square Hill.

He was not injured during the robbery but was threatened by a man with an unknown weapon, Kent Police said.

The incident happened at about 08:45 BST on Saturday 24 August.

Police have appealed for witnesses.

Do not put used nappies in the recycling bin, is the plea from Maidstone Borough Council.

The authority is launching a new campaign to get parents to use their black waste bins for dirty nappies.

Disposing of nappies in green recycling bins can lead to contamination of other materials leaving them unrecyclable.

So far this year four loads have been rejected, costing the council and tax payer around £8,000.