Kent Trading Standards are warning of a call where an existing customer of Sky has received a fake call from a person claiming to be from "Sky Technical Support".

The caller claimed they could reduce the cost of their Sky 'bundle' by removing the insurance 'Sky Digital Protect' from the account.

The caller asked for credit card details 'for reference only' and promised not to debit any money from the card. The customer became suspicious when the caller phoned back to get further bank details. The customer contacted their bank to put a stop on the card and found out that a total of £54 had already been charged to the card.

This is the update for the month of August 2013 for Cheriton, Sandgate and the surrounding areas.

During a routine patrol of Tesco Stores in Cheriton High Street, Officers Mark Ball and Laura Zazo were alerted by staff of 2 dogs which had been left in a parked vehicle during which was a day where the temperature was in the mid-twenties. Officers quickly identified and found the vehicle owner, who was given words of warning regarding their conduct.

PCSO's Laura Zazo and Mark Ball attended Stockholm Court in Cheriton and spoke with residents regarding their concerns. A talk/discussion was presented outlining Officer duties and their current police powers.

Whilst attending Maplins Electronics Ltd in relation to a report of Theft/Shoplifting, PCSO Mark Ball also viewed the stores CCTV footage regarding a previous incident. The male suspect was instantly recognised and was subsequently arrested.

On Tuesday 4th June 2013 local officers Mark Ball and Laura Zazo attended Cheriton Food & Wine in relation to a report of Theft from the store. From being a basic description of the group officers were able to quickly identify the suspects, who were stopped in Somerset Road and subsequently arrested.

On Saturday 11th May 2013 PCSO Mark Ball hosted a Residents Meeting at All Souls Church Hall. Residents as well as local Councillors attended in order to discuss the issue of Anti-social behaviour surrounding Cheriton Park. Several key action points were established.

On Monday 13th May PCSO Mark Ball attended a Road Traffic Collision (RTC) on the A20 involving two vehicles. Appropriate road closure signage was implemented and traffic management put in place. No persons were injured.

PCSO Mark Ball attended the One Stop in Cheriton Road in relation to a report of Robbery. From viewing the stores CCTV Officer Ball was able to ascertain the direction of travel before and after the event. From checking other local stores CCTV footage it was determined that the original target had been The Coop. Footage shows the male suspect attempting to enter the store just before they were scheduled to open and upon being unable to gain access proceeded to the One Stop. This investigation is currently on going.

Spokes East Kent Cycle Campaign have sent a questionnaire to all local Kent County Council candidates asking their views on cycling locally and how they would seek to improve it. Their questions, and my answers, are below.

1. Widespread 20 mph speed limits are increasingly being implemented across the country in places that people live, work, and shop. They provide a cost-effective means to reducing the number and severity of casualties and make our streets more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists whilst having smoothing traffic flow. Kent County Council regularly receive requests for widespread 20mph limits to be implemented. Will you act to support the adoption of widespread 20mph limits? If so, which specific actions do you plan to take? If you do not support widespread 20mph limits please explain why not.

As you may know, in a few weeks on May 2^nd there will be elections to Kent County Council. I've been honoured to serve as your Liberal Democrat County Councillor for the last four years. It really doesn't seem that long!

I remember how close the result was in Folkestone West in 2009. We overturned a Conservative majority of over 1,300 votes to take the seat with a majority of 11. Four years on, we are fighting to win again.

Award winning Kent political journalist Paul Francis has tipped the Liberal Democrats as likely to hold all its existing seats on Kent County Council - including the Folkestone West seat snatched from the Conservatives in 2009 by Tim Prater.

In his analysis of the prospects for the main parties in the forthcoming Kent County Council elections, Paul Francis sees the likely outcome that the Conservatives will retain control of the County Council but with a "significantly reduced majority", and that the Liberal Democrats are likely to hold its existing seats.