Jacob Panons

A man was arrested in connection with four offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act after several reports of dogs being dangerously out of control in Send, Surrey. Surrey Police said he was issued a caution, an anti-social behaviour warning letter and guidance about responsible dog ownership, with further offending potentially subject to criminal and anti-social behaviour measures.

Water supplies are returning in Benenden and Rolvenden, Kent, after a technical problem and low storage levels affected about 1,800 properties. South East Water is also repairing burst mains affecting customers in Whitstable and East Grinstead, where up to 51 properties may lose supply during repairs, while tankers are being used to support Queen Victoria Hospital. A separate problem in Selmeston could affect about 100 properties, and the company has apologised and said it is reviewing measures to prevent a recurrence.

Janes Pantry has bought a number of former Coughlans Bakery shops from liquidators and plans to reopen 20 of them under its own brand. Former Coughlans employees will be invited to reapply. Coughlans, which operated across Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and south London, ceased trading in June after citing high business rates and increased employer national insurance contributions. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who was previously part-owner and had expressed disappointment over the closure, will not be involved in the new venture. Other Coughlans sites remain under discussion.

British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman have ended hunger strikes lasting 93 and 84 days after reportedly reaching an agreement with prison guards that would allow them to contact their families. The couple, arrested in Iran in January 2025 during a motorcycle journey and sentenced to 10 years for alleged espionage, deny the charges. Their family says contact had not yet resumed and has urged the UK government to secure their release. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office called their detention unjustified and appalling and said diplomats were working to provide consular assistance.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has approved up to £200,000 to repair the concrete breakwater and walkway at Mermaid Beach in Folkestone, which was damaged by Storm Goretti in January. The work will be funded through last year's budget underspends and is expected to finish before the next winter storms. The council said the damage was not covered by insurance, although the rock structure protecting the coast remains intact.

A man died after getting into difficulty in the sea off West Wittering on Sunday. Sussex Police said two men were rescued from the water near Pound Road at about 14:30 BST; one was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to hospital as a precaution. The deceased man's next of kin has been informed, and the circumstances are under investigation.

A 19-year-old Sudanese national, Chan Mathok Atak, has been charged with endangering another person while allegedly piloting a 13-metre dinghy that carried a record 165 migrants from France to England. The crossing exceeded the previous record of 128 people on one boat, amid a broader rise in overcrowding and warnings that the route is becoming more dangerous. More than 13,000 small-boat arrivals have been recorded in the UK in 2026, though that figure is lower than at the same point in the previous two years. The Home Office says removals are at record levels and highlights expanded cooperation with France against people smugglers, while Care4Calais and other evidence point to the risks faced by migrants, including deaths during previous crossings.

A 19-year-old Sudanese national, Chan Mathok Atak, has been charged with endangering another person while allegedly piloting a dinghy carrying a record 165 migrants from France to England. The vessel, approximately the size of a standard bus, arrived in Dover, while 366 people crossed in three boats that day. Care4Calais warned that overcrowding is making the route increasingly dangerous. The Home Office highlighted record removals, reduced asylum claims and strengthened cooperation with France to disrupt crossings.

Surrey Heath Borough Council has extended its Public Space Protection Orders for three years, until October 2029, to address low-level anti-social behaviour. The renewed measures retain alcohol control zones in Camberley town centre and the Old Dean shopping parade, a ban on dogs in council play areas, and a ban on unauthorised tents in several public spaces. Restrictions on street begging, catapults and slingshots will continue or be added, while the local ban on nitrous oxide has been removed because it is now covered by national criminal law. The council will review whether fines for breaches should rise from £100 to £500.

The Grade II-listed Haslemere signal box in Surrey is reopening as a working museum after volunteers from the Haslemere Signal Box Trust secured and restored it. Built in 1895 and formerly used to control trains on the Portsmouth Direct Line, the box will offer signalling demonstrations on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The restoration recreates the 1930s Southern Railway era, while an adjoining museum and planned memorial garden will commemorate railway history and the 636 Southern Railway workers who died during World War Two.

East Sussex County Council has defended its decision to end school holiday food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals. Council leader Andy Woolley said the previous funding had ended and that the new £1bn Crisis and Resilience Fund was intended for targeted help with immediate hardship and longer-term resilience, rather than universal holiday vouchers. Hastings MP Helena Dollimore accused the council of making a political choice, failing to communicate clearly with families and putting hundreds of children at risk of going hungry. The Department for Work and Pensions said councils can use the new fund for free school meals if local needs justify it. East Sussex said eligible families could instead access free activities and meals through the Holiday Activity and Food programme.

A junction in Horley will be temporarily closed later in the summer for pavement and safety improvements following at least 20 traffic incidents since opening in 2025. Local MP Chris Coghlan and Surrey County Council have raised concerns about restricted visibility and illegal turns at the site, part of the still‑developing Westvale Park housing project. The consortium responsible for the development plans to complete the works during the school summer holidays, while further safety measures will be monitored and adjusted if necessary.

The University of Surrey is marking the Duke of Kent’s 50 years as chancellor, noting his long service since his 1976 appointment. University leaders praised his sustained contributions, including attending graduations, opening facilities and participating in royal visits, with his involvement credited for positively shaping the institution over decades.

A fire caused by overheated solar panels destroyed a static caravan and damaged nearby barns and a car in Cranleigh, leaving caregiver Hannah Nicholson and her elderly mother without a home. Family members described the loss of possessions and the damage as heartbreaking, estimating repair or replacement costs for the caravan of up to £7,000. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire was accidental, and additional caravans and a motorhome were also affected.

Students at the University of Surrey expressed mixed reactions ahead of the opening of the UK’s first university-owned Wetherspoons pub on the Guildford campus. Supporters cited affordability and convenience, while others voiced concerns about its impact on local nightlife and existing pubs. University management described the venture as a community-focused venue, with Wetherspoons providing franchising guidance. Local economic effects and student safety were key themes in the varied responses.

Residents in Southfleet, Kent express strong opposition to a proposed 145-acre AI data centre, citing fears of damage to the village and increased traffic. Developer Clearstone says the site was selected for its suitability for AI infrastructure and expects construction to require 750 workers and create 420 operational jobs, with an anticipated opening in 2030. Public consultations are scheduled for the autumn.

Tributes from political figures and colleagues across Kent commemorate former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe, who has died at 78. Leaders and acquaintances highlight her sharp wit, humour, and formidable political style, while recalling key moments from her long career with the Conservative Party and later Reform UK. Supporters describe her as a national treasure who connected strongly with the public, including through appearances on television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. Reflections emphasise her forthright approach, deep faith, and lasting impact on those who worked with her.

Emergency care at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford was rated as requiring improvement after a Care Quality Commission inspection found patients waiting in corridors and lapses in privacy. While categories such as caring and effectiveness were rated good, inspectors reported long waits for admission and incomplete specialist reviews. The trust has made progress since previous regulatory breaches and staff were commended for maintaining a positive safety culture under pressure. The hospital must submit a new action plan to address remaining issues and continue improvements.

A Tunbridge Wells snooker club facing closure due to redevelopment plans is supporting a bid to have its Victorian building granted listed status. The Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society has submitted an emergency application to English Heritage, which is assessing the site before advising the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The council, seeking to build a new cinema and leisure facilities, has also requested immunity from listing. The club’s owner warns it cannot survive relocation, while the civic society argues the building is a rare surviving example of Victorian self-help organisations. The council says it continues discussions over the club’s future.

A women-only live music social group founded in Eastbourne has expanded across East Sussex, reaching more than 700 members. Created by Lucy Havard to help women attend gigs without going alone, the Girly Gig Army now spans Eastbourne, Brighton and Hastings. Members describe the community as confidence‑building and transformative, with daytime meetups and simple identifiers such as T‑shirts and badges helping newcomers feel comfortable. The group emphasises inclusivity and fostering friendships around shared music interests.

Patrice Lawrence has been appointed the new children's laureate, receiving the silver laureate medal from outgoing laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce in London. She plans to champion books as tools for belonging, emotional understanding, and community connection, with a focus on supporting vulnerable children and diverse voices. BookTrust leaders praised her appointment for amplifying the needs of marginalized young people, while judges highlighted the relevance and emotional depth of her writing. Lawrence, previously honoured with an MBE and a Royal Society of Literature fellowship, will hold the role until 2028.

Fans across South East England celebrated England’s dramatic 3-2 World Cup round‑of‑16 victory over Mexico, sharing reactions ranging from excitement to stress after a tense, early‑morning match. Supporters in Dartford and Brighton praised the team’s heroic defending and dramatic performance, while local venue owners highlighted the energetic atmosphere. England now advance to face Norway in the quarter-finals.

A redesign of Eastbourne’s seafront Carpet Gardens using hardier, low‑water plants is projected to save the local council about £750,000 over ten years by reducing imports and watering needs. Councillor Jim Murray acknowledged initial public criticism but said rising travel costs would have made maintaining the old displays unsustainable. Residents now express growing support for the new scheme, citing improved appearance and environmental benefits.

A temporary hosepipe ban by South East Water has taken effect across Kent in response to high temperatures and record water demand. The ban restricts activities such as watering gardens, cleaning vehicles with hosepipes and filling pools, and may lead to fines of up to £1,000 for violations. Businesses that depend on hosepipes for core operations are exempt. The company says the measure will remain until demand returns to manageable levels, with its outgoing chief executive acknowledging customer frustration while emphasising the need to maintain essential water supplies.