Issue - meetings

The minutes of meetings of Advisory Panels, Boards and Other Groups are attached:

·        Notes of Tonbridge Community Forum of 11 May 2026

Any recommendations arising from these minutes are set out as individual items on this agenda.

Kent Police are invited to provide an update on neighbourhood policing and recent initiatives and operations.

Please note that attendance is subject to operational pressures.

A written statement was provided by Inspector Nick Atkinson to provide members of the Forum with an update on Police activities, with a focus on the Tonbridge area.

The statement outlined neighbourhood team coverage arrangements in Tonbridge, including Beat Team officers and Neighbourhood Task Force officers, and described recent activity to tackle retail theft and anti-social behaviour.  Examples included targeted days of action, arrests following intelligence received via the Shop Safe radio system and enforcement activity in relation to drugs, including a stop search which resulted in the seizure of Class A drugs and a subsequent charge and remand.

Furthermore, the statement reported activity to address violence against women and girls, including engagement with local businesses and ‘walk and talk’ events, and mentioned enforcement action in respect of anti-social behaviour involving youths, including the use of Community Protection Warning Notices.  Attention was also brought to the seizure of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and partnership working with housing associations and the Borough Council’s Community Safety Unit. 

Members of the Forum were pleased to note that Kent Police would continue to work with partner agencies to address issues affecting Tonbridge, including tackling anti-social behaviour, targeting those responsible for harm and disruption and maintaining a visible presence to provide reassurance and deter offending, with particular reference made to actions towards illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.

A full version of the statement was attached as [Annex 1] to these Minutes.