Man’s safety in Whitfield is of concern to officers

Man’s safety is being responded to by Kent Police officers currently in Gordon Road, Whitfield, in response to a report of concern for the man who may be in possession of a weapon inside an office building.

Officers were called to the incident at 4.05pm on Tuesday 16 August and are concerned for the man’s wellbeing and safety and are at the scene.

Officers have established that nobody else is in the building and this is being treated as an isolated incident. Police negotiators are at the scene to ensure the man’s safety.

Traffic is heavier in the area than normal due to road closures.

Police officers have closed Menzies Road and there is currently no access along Melbourne Avenue beyond Aspen Drive.

There is also no access into Honeywood Road from the A2 Whitfield roundabout and Honeywood Parkway is only accessible from the Eastern end.

Officers are continuing to deal with this incident and would advise people to avoid the area.

The Kent Police Control Strategy is a 4-year plan that’s reviewed yearly.

It takes into account national policing issues, policing priorities for Kent (including joint working with other public sector agencies) and the direction set by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent.

Our current 6 key priorities are:

• Child abuse and exploitation
• Gangs
• Human trafficking and modern slavery
• Organised acquisitive crime
• Counter terrorism and domestic extremism
• Domestic abuse, serious violence and sexual offences

Protecting and serving the people of Kent