I’m not a great fan of trick and treating… I do go out with my children, but we go to only 4 or 5 houses – all of which are pre-arranged and with the persons approval.

In contrast, trick and treating around here seems to involve any person that feels like it, knocking on my door asking for treats. Some of those that came round were what I would classify as young adults – and they didn’t even dress up…

Anyway, unlike last year, when some git nicked the pumpkin Ryan had carved from our front door step, this year we escaped these sorts of actions. All in all, a good year…. or so I thought….

Sadly, my ward colleague, Peter Hooper was informed by a resident (who actually lives on the same estate as me) today of a broken window caused by a youth throwing stones. Even sadder, this is now the third time they will have to replace a pane because this is the third time it’s happened.

Peter and I are working with the Police, Maidstone Council’s community safety team, and also the relevant departments to get increased lighting in the area. Peter is also working to get CCTV cameras moved to the area for a while to see if we can catch anyone up to no good.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, please remember, REPORT ALL CRIMES TO THE POLICE. This is the only way that a good picture of what’s going on in an area can be recorded.