Boxes of suspected counterfeit e-cigarettes were seized from a concealed storage space above a ceiling at a Maidstone business as part of a nationwide crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade. The contraband was recovered at the premises in Knightrider Street on Wednesday (19 January 2022) during a joint operation involving police and Kent County Council…
Kent food businesses are being urged to get support now to comply with allergy labelling laws after spot checks by Kent County Council’s (KCC) Trading Standards revealed new rules are not always being followed. Under Natasha’s Law, which came into force on 1 October 2021, food that is pre-packaged on the same premises it is…
Kent’s residents and motorists have been thanked for their patience as Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) partners worked round-the-clock with Port of Dover and Eurotunnel over the pre-Christmas getaway weekend to help thousands of passengers get safely to their destination. Already a traditionally busy period for freight, as hauliers work to deliver goods and keep supermarket…
Kent County Council Trading Standards, supported by Kent Police, swooped on Swanley Market in a crackdown on the sale of counterfeit goods. A joint enforcement team of 17 officers targeted several stalls following reports that fake products were being sold. Items seized, including adult and children’s clothing, bags, hats, sunglasses, belts and watches, filled 168…
Kent County Council’s (KCC) Full Council meeting on Thursday 16 December has been cancelled as COVID infection rates continue to climb. Sharing the decision with Members on Wednesday (15 December), KCC Vice-Chairman Lesley Game said the move, in a rapidly evolving situation, followed consultation with all political Group Leaders. Kent County Council Vice-Chairman Lesley Game said:…
“Life was very challenging. I ended up through the pandemic being on my own getting very, very lonely. Sometimes the phone wouldn’t ring for weeks and I wouldn’t see anybody at all.” Sadly Mrs B’s experience of feeling lonely is more common than many of us might think. According to Age UK, half a million…
A major upgrade of Kent’s continental border is needed to keep the UK’s vital supply and travel routes flowing. An innovative, long-term programme to create future-ready, and future-proofed, smart borders in Kent would also act as a catalyst for regeneration in the east of the county – helping to unlock jobs and housing, attract business…
Kent Trading Standards is urging the county’s shoppers to shop safely online ahead of the festive break. More than 28,000 customers were conned out of their money while internet shopping last Christmas, losing £15.4 million to copies of legitimate websites, or completely fictional ones, say Action Fraud. Around £4 billion is also lost to the…
Bird keepers are now legally required to keep their flocks and pet birds indoors as government steps up efforts to limit the spread of Avian Influenza. Commonly known as bird flu, the disease circulates naturally in wild birds so when they migrate to the UK in winter they can pass the disease on to poultry…
An enthusiastic army of dedicated volunteers mobilised across Kent during the pandemic to help their local communities. Generously giving their time and skills to aid others, they provided vital assistance to the vulnerable, elderly and self-isolating, supporting frontline health services. Now Kent County Council (KCC) is launching a £170,000 grant-funded pilot initiative, in partnership with…
Residents and visitors are being reminded to report, and not to touch or pick up, dead or sick birds they find while out and about enjoying Kent’s great outdoors. All bird keepers are also legally required to follow strict housekeeping measures to help protect their flocks. The call to follow Defra guidance comes after a number…
All new infrastructure and developments in Kent and Medway should have net zero carbon emissions and use resources efficiently, under new-look design guidance published by Kent County Council, Medway Council, and Kent’s District and Borough Planning Authorities today. Communities must also be well connected both digitally, and through an effective network of footpaths, cycleways and…