KentOnline

A man's been arrested following reports of a sex attack in Gillingham.

An area was cordoned off by police earlier - hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who was there earlier.

Also in today's podcast, The mum of a boy who died in a hit and run in Folkestone is calling for reforms to the justice system.

Seven-year-old William Brown Jr was trying to collect a football from Sandgate Esplanade when he was struck last December.

Almost 40 fines have been issued to food delivery riders in Canterbury after new rules came into force.

The public spaces protection order bans riders from aggressive driving, dangerous manoeuvres, excessive noise and putting others at risk.

Footage has been released of the moment police arrested a Maidstone man as part of an investigation into half a tonne of cannabis.

A bloodstain found amongst the drugs in a storage container was forensically linked to John Small, 61, from Brunswick Street.

There's been a significant increase in the number of cases of rickets in part of Kent - according to figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast.

122 were recorded in 2019 by East Kent hospitals trust - that had risen to 580 last year.

Cricket, and Kent's Zak Crawley says he'll continue to play aggressively as England take on the West Indies in the second Test.

England have a 1-0 lead after winning by more than an innings at Lord's last week.

Parents are worried about the safety of their children as they're set to be banned from parking in a nearby village hall during the school run.

They currently use the space in Wingham before taking pupils to the primary school - but from September, that won't be allowed to happen.

Also on today's podcast, planning reforms, a new border security bill and re-nationalising rail firms are expected to be among the announcements in today's King's Speech.

The Prime Minister's using the State Opening of Parliament to set out Labour's aims for Britain. We've been speaking to the new Tunbridge Wells MP, Mike Martin, to find out what he wants to hear.

A man who was at a gig in Kent that saw more than 20 teenagers end up in hospital has revealed he didn't realise the scale of the issue.

A 17 year-old girl died from a suspected overdose, and another young person is still in hospital following the drum and bass event at Dreamland in Margate.

It's feared growing delays with court cases in Kent could cause some victims to give up so criminals walk free.

There's been a 164% rise in cases waiting to be heard since before the pandemic. Our local democracy reporter Simon Finlay has been speaking to Kent's police and crime commissioner.

Figures given to the KentOnline Podcast show there have been almost 1,400 reports of animal cruelty in Kent so far this year.

That's more than 7 cases a day reported to the RSPCA in the first six months of 2024. The figures have been released as the charity launches its summer campaign.

More than 18 months after it closed - Canterbury's historic market has returned to the city.

It was moved away from St George's Street in December 2022 when the area underwent a renovation. We've been chatting to council leader Councillor Alan Baldock.

And, a new multimillion pound sports centre in Medway has officially opened.

Cozenton Park replaces the old Splashes in Rainham and has cost more than £23 million pounds to build.

There are calls for a review of Dreamland's licence as it's emerged more than 20 teenagers ended up in hospital after a gig at the venue in Margate.

A 17 year-old girl had died after attending a drum and bass event at Dreamland.

Emily Stoke suffered from a suspected MDMA overdose - and it's now emerged 21 other teenagers also ended up in hospital.

Also in today's podcast, Figures seen by KentOnline show a 70% rise in fines issued to parents in Kent for taking their children out of school.

More than 13,000 penalty notices were handed out for unauthorised absences last year - up from around 7,700 the previous year.

The founder of an organisation set up to help people with neurodiversity in east Kent says their services are at risk due to funding issues.

Lucie Chiocchetti set up Neurodivergent Friends Thanet after being diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult.

Dozens of people in Larkfield have objected to plans to knock down an old workshop and replace it with a new building and offices.

Neuxpark Limited have submitted an application to Tonbridge and Malling council for The Shed off Lunsford Lane.

Students at a martial arts school in Gravesend have been selected to join Team GB in the world championships of stick fighting.

The sport sees participants in protective gear using using slender, wooden batons for one-to-one combat.

Video footage showing people risking their lives at level crossings has been released as part of a major safety campaign.

It's after near misses in Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Gravesend and East Farleigh.

Plans to scale back the number of children eligible for special needs places in Kent have been described as 'terrifying' by worried families.

Kent County Council say there's an over-reliance on special school placements and want to change the admissions guidance so they're only for those with the most complex needs.

A Medway man says he's been hounded by a gas company for seven months for a bill that wasn't his.

The property in Rainham was supplied by British Gas who refused to set up Benjamin Robinson as a new customer until the outstanding debt was settled.

One of Kent's new MPs has been chatting about getting used to Westminster - just days after he was preparing for the end of term.

Secondary school teacher Tris Osborne was elected to represent Chatham and Aylesford 10 days ago.

 In sport, it was a very disappointing night for England fans.

Gareth Southgate's side were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final of Euro 2024. Hear from fans who watched the match at the Folkestone Harbour Arm last night.

Gillingham's new manager has admitted his first match in charge wasn't the prettiest.

The Gills drew 0-0 with Millwall in their pre-season friendly at Priestfield yesterday afternoon.

A teenager's been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two people were injured at a temple in Gravesend...

Emergency crews were called to the Gurdwara just after 8pm last night - the air ambulance was also seen to land within the grounds off Saddington Street.

Four people have died after their boat capsized in the English Channel as they attempted to cross to Kent.

The French Coast Guard says 63 people were rescued off the coast of Boulogne. We've been getting reaction from Samphire Project the works with refugees in Dover.

A couple have told the podcast their damp, cold and mouldy flat in Maidstone is making their health conditions even worse.

Mandy Croucher and her wife Donna have lived in the property in Willington Street since December 2022.

Investigation are underway into claims a reptile and amphibian market is going to be held in Kent this weekend.

The markets see snakes, lizards and frogs sold in plastic tubs and containers - with no regard for their welfare or environmental needs. 

The boss of a Kent pub chain says England's success at the Euros has been a real boost for the hospitality industry.

Gareth Southgate's side will play Spain in the final in Germany on Sunday night.

Artefacts dating back to the Neolithic or Bronze Age have been discovered near Faversham.

Archaeologists have been carrying out a dig on a burial mound at Stringmans Farm on the Lees Court Estate.

Ahead of their first pre-season friendly - Gillingham's Jonny Williams has told us training is going well.

They reported for duty at the start of the month and have six weeks before the opening game of the season.

A mum has praised her son for saving her from a fire at their home near Dartford.

The blaze broke out in a bedroom of the property on Capel Place in Wilmington, setting off the smoke alarms.

Loren Ringshall has lived there for 16 years and initially attempted to fight the flames, before being dragged to safety. She's been speaking to reporter Ben Austin.

More than a thousand days after major work started on the redesign of the Stockbury roundabout drivers can now use the new flyover.

One lane, heading Maidstone bound, opens today - then a lane in the Sittingbourne direction opens tomorrow.

A former student from Kent has welcomed a ruling by the High Court as they continue to fight for compensation for disrupted learning.

A group claim they didn't receive value for money due to Covid disrupting lectures.

A teenager from Kent has quit his politics degree to become, what could be, the youngest publican in the county. 

Hugo Willett has taken over the reigns at The Bowl Inn - a 1740s traditional tavern in Hastingleigh, near Ashford.

And, the trailer for a Rom Com starring Andrew Garfield that was filmed on the Kent Bexley border has been released.

The Spiderman actor was spotted with Florence Pugh shooting scenes at a Co-op in Blackfen in April last year.

Frustrated neighbours say “rude and lazy” school-run parents are making their lives hell by parking and driving recklessly.

Residents in Ashford say vehicles are regularly left on double-yellow lines, across dropped kerbs and even on driveways by people dropping children at the nearby schools. 

Also on today’s podcast, a cleaner at a school in Sandwich who was signed off work has told of her shock at being sacked by text message.

She’d been on sick leave with anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome - but was told via WhatsApp that her P45 was in the post. 

The long wait to use a £92 million flyover for the first time after years of work is almost over.

A single lane of the new overpass on the A249 at Stockbury will open this week.

We’ll hear from Kent bosses as Operation Brock is set to be deployed this week ahead of what’s expected to be a busy summer period. 

It’s tipped to be the busiest holiday period for the Port of Dover since the pandemic. 

And a three-storey shop dedicated to our four-legged friends has launched in a Kent town centre.

The PupCup has a dog friendly cafe and a boutique – there are even plans for event space for yoga sessions and movie night. 

The son of a Gravesend man who was attacked by an XL Bully says he was one bite from death. 

The 69-year-old suffered injuries to his arms, legs, shoulder and upper thigh after being mauled by the animal while on his evening walk. 

Also in today’s podcast, police have had to cordon off a town centre street after a man and a woman were found dead.

Emergency services were called to The Butchery in Sandwich after concerns were raised for two pensioners.

Furious residents say housebuilding has spiralled out of control as 1,500 homes are planned across just 1.5 square miles of Ashford.

An application has been submitted for a sixth new development in the area just off the A2070. 

A Medway mum who saved a man's life after a motorbike crash, has used her first aid knowledge to help save her own daughter.

Tiffany Smith realised two-year-old Lily Diamond, was seriously ill but had to push doctors to do blood tests. 

And a shopkeeper has been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds after piles of rubbish were left outside a former sweet shop in Canterbury. 

It’s after residents complained about the “eye sore” which has been left unchecked since November. 

Kent’s first homeless pods are set to launch later this year with 23 currently being stacked on an industrial estate in Ashford. 

They’re designed to be an energy-efficient alternative to building new homes and will offer temporary accommodation to rough sleepers. 

Also in today’s podcast, plans to drastically scale back the number of children eligible for special needs school places in Kent have been described as ‘terrifying’ by worried families.

Kent County Council has revealed proposals to address what it says is an over-reliance on special school placements.

A lollipop lady has told the KentOnline Podcast she’s lucky to be alive after collapsing with heart failure whilst on duty.

Paramedics told Debbie Marsh she would have died if she had been alone  as she suffered the first stage of a heart attack whilst waiting to help pupils across the road outside school in Medway. 

People may have to be prepared to spend money to spend a penny following suggestions increased crime and overstretched council budgets are putting public toilets at risk.

The British Toilet Association says the issue has become a national crisis with councils in Kent reporting fewer blocks today than 14 years ago. 

And kmfm’s Tonnes of Tins campaign has launched across Kent to help fight food poverty. 

It comes as a new report shows the number of people in “food insecure” households continues to rise – with the summer holidays expected to pile on extra pressure. 

Labour have swept to victory in the general election.

Sir Keir Starmer is the country's new Prime Minister after going to meet the King following the official resignation of Rishi Sunak.

Labour claimed more than 400 seats across the country with the Tories suffering their worst results in history.

In Kent, the political picture is very different with Labour and the Lib Dems taking seats previously held by the Conservatives.

There are now 11 Labour MPs in the county. The Tories have six representatives while the Liberal Democrats won Tunbridge Wells.

Hear from our reporters at counts across the county - and from those who've been elected to represent Kent in parliament.

We've got some other news in brief and Sam Lawrie takes a look at what's going on in Kent this weekend.