Tim Prater

Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.

Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card. Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect.

Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.

What you need to do

• If you are suspicious about the authenticity of the fine, do not pay it until you have verified it with your local council.
• Always shield your PIN from view when using an ATM machine, and never share your PIN with anyone.
• If your bank card is retained by an ATM machine, contact your bank immediately to inform them.

Now that the summer months are upon us we have been asked by Kent Police to remind everyone not to leave back/garden doors open and unattended, as this could provide an opportunity for thieves to gain access to your property.

It is also advisable to keep handbags and keys out of sight from doors or windows.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is conducting a review of the polling districts, polling places and polling stations that fall in the Folkestone & Hythe Parliamentary constituency.
In accordance with The Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places (Parliamentary Elections) Regulations 2006, the Acting Returning Officer will be invited to make a statement on the existing arrangements and any proposals made. In addition, we are seeking feedback from electors, political representatives, town and parish councils, community organisations and political parties from within the District area.

Representations should include views and opinions on:

• the proposals regarding the structure of our current polling districts;
• current polling places;
• the accessibility of our current polling stations;
• alternative venues to use as polling stations; and
• Acting Returning Officers comments and/or proposals.

Any representations must be received in writing by 14 August 2019. Comments are also welcomed on the Acting Returning Officer’s statement and must be submitted by 04 September 2019.

If you wish to make representation or comment, please send your correspondences as follows:

By post: Democratic Services Manager, Folkestone & Hythe District Council Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY

By email: elections@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

We would also like to welcome the views of any person or body with expertise in access for persons with any type of disability.

A timetable, and other documents relating to this review can be inspected at the Council offices at the below address, or online at www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/elections/polling-review.

Decisions relating to the review will be made in November and the review will conclude on Sunday 01 December 2019.

2019 - PD PP Review Notice

Sandgate Beach is a dog-free zone from Sandgate Castle to the Seabrook BP (formerly Murco) garage at the far end of the Esplanade from 1st May and 30 September every year.

Outside these areas (from Sandgate Castle to Mermaid’s Beach, and the length of Princes Parade) dogs are welcome on the beach, although it remains your responsibility to clean up after them at all times, and to keep them on a lead on the Promenade.

Folkestone and Hythe now have an enforcement team who are now patrolling across the district regularly including early morning, late afternoon, evening and weekends – it’s no dogs at any time over the summer.

You must clear up after your dog if it fouls wherever you are in the district. The penalty for failing to clean up afterwards is £100.

Small plastic bags or nappy sacks make ideal poop scoops. Keep them where you keep your dog lead so that picking up a few bags becomes as automatic as clipping your dog on its lead before going for a walk.

There are free dog bag dispensers on the block by the Boat House of Granville Parade, at the seawalk entrance to Castle Road Car Park, and in the dog run at Sandgate Park. Please only take as many as you need to use.

To avoid smells and prevent flies, please tie the bag before depositing it in a dog waste or any street litter bin (it DOESN’T have to be a dog waste bin). Please don’t throw bags into hedges, verges or drains: keep them until you find a bin.