Dover News - February 2018

Former Dover District Councillors, Paul Watkins and Jim Hood, have been made Honorary Aldermen in recognition of almost 70 years of service to the district. The honours were confirmed at a meeting of Dover District Council last night.

Dover District Council has been awarded £15.8m from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund to support the development of a Bus Rapid Transit System between Whitfield, Dover Town Centre and Dover Priory railway station.

Following the success of last year's event, a Dover church is holding another art competition, this time for all ages. This year's theme is "creation" and budding artists can use any medium, including collage for their entry.

Millions of people will be tuning in to watch the final of an exciting television programme this Thursday, and most of them will be rooting for a Dover man who has become an inspiration.

Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs in Dover. Police were called to a report of intruders in the grounds of a premises in St John's Road just before midnight last night.

Officers from the East Kent Special Constabulary carried out an operation in Dover last month to target unsafe drivers and promote road safety. In total seven people were reported for traffic offences due to drivers not having insurance or a driving licence and four vehicles were seized. Those reported could now face a fine and points on their licence.

Father and son Bob and Alex Ayling from Dover have thanked everyone for their support after winning a share in the £100,000 first prize on the television programme Hunted. Millions of people tuned in last night to watch the final episode which saw the team of hunters trying to close in on the four remaining contestants.

Border Force officers at Dover's Eastern Docks have prevented an attempt to smuggle approximately 30 kilos of cocaine into the UK. On Sunday, Border Force officers at the inward freight controls stopped a Latvian-registered lorry. Officers searched the vehicle's trailer and found 30 brown wrapped packages concealed under empty bags intended to contain bird seed.

Key surveys to inform future improvement works, preparation for funding bids, and potential enforcement action have started in Dover town centre. This includes a topographical survey from Bench Street to Pencester Road, pedestrian counts at key locations, and a photographic survey of buildings in the town centre.

The search is on for people in Dover who make a positive difference to the town in various ways. The categories for the 2018 People of Dover Awards have been changed from previous years, to open up the awards to different sections of the community.

Over a thousand Year 8 students from secondary schools in the district will be attending the first ever Dover District Youth Conference to explore issues ranging from online safety, relationships, gangs and crime, and substance misuse.