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Ben Austin

Benjamin Austin joined the KM group in 2022. He joined as a trainee reporter covering the West Kent region for the Kent Messenger

‘Do not approach’ warning and CCTV released in hunt for violent burglar

26 July 2024
‘Do not approach’ warning and CCTV released in hunt for violent burglar

More images and CCTV has been released by police after a violent burglary where a homeowner was struck with a gun and £2m of goods were stolen.

Pub takings ‘down by a half’ amid roadworks woe

25 July 2024
Pub takings ‘down by a half’ amid roadworks woe

Long-running roadworks have hit a pub’s trade and left residents fearing for their safety after large vehicles squeeze down narrow village roads.

1

Faulty vape sparks emergency call-out

24 July 2024
Faulty vape sparks emergency call-out

Staff at a town centre shop called in fire crews after concerns about a faulty vape.

2

Electric car thief who hit motorcyclist while fleeing police found with ‘burglary kit’

23 July 2024
Electric car thief who hit motorcyclist while fleeing police found with ‘burglary kit’

A prolific burglar being pursued by police veered onto the wrong side of the road before “seriously injuring” a biker and their passenger.

5

Minor injury unit shuts unexpectedly

22 July 2024
Minor injury unit shuts unexpectedly

A hospital’s minor injury unit has been shut all day, with unconfirmed reports its closure was down to staffing issues.

Nightmare neighbour evicted after ‘violent disturbances and all day noise’

17 July 2024
Nightmare neighbour evicted after ‘violent disturbances and all day noise’

A closure notice has been extended for a flat plagued by anti-social behaviour with the former tenant now evicted.

2

Pedestrian flown to London hospital after being hit by lorry

17 July 2024
Pedestrian flown to London hospital after being hit by lorry

A pedestrian has been airlifted to hospital after being hit by a lorry.

Prolific thief who caused ‘misery in the town’ banned from shops

17 July 2024
Prolific thief who caused ‘misery in the town’ banned from shops

A 45-year-old woman has been handed a two-year shop ban and sent back to prison for targeting a number of town centre stores and supermarkets.

14

Travellers spotted in former park and ride site

16 July 2024
Travellers spotted in former park and ride site

Landowners are working to get an eviction notice for several travellers who have parked on a car park.

Road blocked after car ends up on roof in crash

15 July 2024
Road blocked after car ends up on roof in crash

Emergency services were called after a car ended up flipping on its roof after a crash involving a parked vehicle.

5

Pictures show mess left in town centre after Euros final

15 July 2024
Pictures show mess left in town centre after Euros final

Betting slips and fast food wrappers were left in a town centre in the aftermath of England’s defeat in the Euros.

Trains cancelled due to ‘staff shortages’ as people head out to watch Euro final

14 July 2024
Trains cancelled due to ‘staff shortages’ as people head out to watch Euro final

England fans may have to re-think travel arrangements after Southeastern cancelled several train services due to staff shortages.

23

Two Kent Taco Bell restaurants to stay shut following collapse of franchise firm

13 July 2024
Two Kent Taco Bell restaurants to stay shut following collapse of franchise firm

Two Taco Bell restaurants in Kent will not reopen following the collapse of the franchise firm running them.

6

Man taken to hospital after two-car crash that shut main road

13 July 2024
Man taken to hospital after two-car crash that shut main road

A man was taken to hospital and a main road and roundabout closed off following a two-car crash.

1

Son saved mum from burning home

11 July 2024
Son saved mum from burning home

A mother has heaped praise on her quick-thinking son after saving her and the dog from a bedroom blaze that engulfed their home of 16 years.

9

Pub closes for ‘six-figure’ refurb

10 July 2024
Pub closes for ‘six-figure’ refurb

A pub has been closed by its owners as it undergoes a revamp which will see it remain shut for a number of weeks.

Kent drivers could be charged up to £4 to use tunnels

10 July 2024
Kent drivers could be charged up to £4 to use tunnels

Drivers could be charged for using two tunnels to get into London under new plans from the TfL

39

Flood-prone villages to get multimillion-pound investment

10 July 2024
Flood-prone villages to get multimillion-pound investment

Flood-prone villages are to receive multimillion-pound investments as a water company seeks to reduce the risk by bolstering its wastewater network.

3

Motorway reopens following police incident

09 July 2024
Motorway reopens following police incident

A motorway has reopened after police were called following concerns for a person’s welfare.

Thousands of cigarettes and vapes seized from seven shops

09 July 2024
Thousands of cigarettes and vapes seized from seven shops

Officers seized more than 3,000 cigarettes and 1,000 illegal vapes during a huge operation to crackdown on organised criminal gangs.

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