Tim Prater

With Black Friday approaching and with the run up to Christmas many of you may be tempted to buy online in the next few days. Please see below for advice on how to shop on line safely:

How to shop online safely…

Software updates

Make sure you’ve installed the latest software & app updates. Criminals use weaknesses in software to attack your devices and steal information, such as your payment details.

Email accounts

Use a strong, separate password for your email account. Criminals can use your email to access other online accounts, such as those you use for online shopping.

Phishing

Don’t click on a link in an unexpected email or text. The volume of online shopping related phishing emails increases significantly during the holiday period. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Payment methods

Don’t pay for goods or services by bank transfer unless you know and trust the person. Payments via bank transfer offer you no protection if you become a victim of fraud.

For more information on how to stay secure online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk.

Changes to recycling and waste collections

Please note: if your collection is normally on Tuesday or Wednesday, this will change. Please see below:

Collections return to normal from Monday 31 December.

Bad weather may change or delay collections, please check folkestone-hythe.gov.uk for updates.

You can get automatic reminders for your recycling and waste collection dates over Christmas and throughout the year by signing up to email alerts.

Garden Waste

Garden Waste collections take their usual two week break at Christmas – the last collection is on Friday 21 December and collections start again on Monday 7 January.

If you want to sign up for fortnightly garden waste collections go to folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/garden-waste

To recycle your real Christmas tree for free go to folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/christmas trees

Opening hours

Civic Centre Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone:

The Wednesday morning drop-in service at New Romney Town Council, High Street, New Romney will be closed on Wednesday 26 December and it will re-open on Wednesday 2 January (9am to 12pm).

Hythe Swimming Pool

For opening hours at Hythe Swimming Pool, please visit https://folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/sports-and-leisure/hythe-pool

In an emergency

If you need to contact Folkestone and Hythe District Council in an emergency while our offices are closed please call 01303 221888

Free Christmas Parking

We want to encourage shoppers into our great town centres and support our local traders. That’s why we waive charges in council car parks and on-street parking bays on the three Saturdays before Christmas.

You can park for free in council ‘Pay and Display’ car parks and on street parking bays on:

• Saturday 8 December
• Saturday 15 December
• Saturday 22 December

If you live in the district, you can apply for a permit to park in all our car parks at any time of the year for just £60. Go to: folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/parking/permits