Reporting Crimes Anonymously – Crimestoppers
/in News /by ClerkCrimestoppers
We are aware that many people in our community hold valuable information about crimes, incidents, or antisocial behaviour, but feel unable to report it directly to the police—often due to concerns about possible repercussions.
Your safety and peace of mind are incredibly important to us. If you have information about crime or suspicious activity but would prefer to remain anonymous, please remember you can report it safely and confidentially through Crimestoppers. This independent charity is completely separate from the police and guarantees 100% anonymity—your identity will never be revealed.
If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, please don’t hesitate to report it. Even small pieces of information can make a big difference.
You can access Crime stoppers here
Parish Office Closure
/in News /by ClerkPlease note the Parish Office will be closed from Monday 25th (Bank Holiday) to Thursday 28th.
For non emergencies pleas email clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk and these will be answered the week commencing the 1st June
For emergencies only, please call 07435 117966
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
/in News /by ClerkPSTN will be fully switched off by the end of January 2027, with all landline services moving to digital alternatives such as VoIP or Digital Voice.
Why is PSTN Being Switched Off?
The PSTN network is aging and increasingly fragile, with parts no longer manufactured, making maintenance difficult. Service incidents have risen sharply, and the network cannot meet modern communication demands. Switching to digital networks using Internet Protocol (IP) allows for clearer calls, additional features like three-way calling and anonymous caller rejection, and greater resilience to severe weather. The transition also aligns with the broader move toward fibre broadband infrastructure.
Timeline and Impact
Switch-off date: End of January 2027 for all PSTN and ISDN lines.
Consumer impact: Most users will continue to have landline service via digital alternatives. Phones can be connected to Wi-Fi routers, or special adapters can be used for existing handsets.
Business impact: Companies relying on PSTN or ISDN must migrate to All-IP or digital voice services to avoid service disruption.
Vulnerable users: Providers are required to support at-risk customers, including those using telecare devices, alarms, or other essential services connected to landlines
Key Considerations
Digital voice services will not work during a power outage, unlike traditional PSTN lines.
Users should contact their provider to confirm migration plans, especially if they have devices dependent on a landline.
Providers are obligated to ensure that emergency calls remain possible and that vulnerable customers are supported throughout the transition.
In summary, the PSTN switch-off is a nationwide move to modernise the UK’s telephone network, replacing ageing copper-based systems with digital alternatives. All users, both residential and business, need to prepare for this change to ensure uninterrupted phone service by January 2027.
For more information please visit the Government website here
Coffee with a Cop – 16th May
/in News /by ClerkWe are pleased to announce that we have an upcoming “Coffee with a Cop” event on Saturday 16th May between 11:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs. We are being hosted by The Little Travelling Bean pop-up cafe at the Otham Village Hall by the Stoneacre play area.
Come and join us for a coffee and a chat!
| Message Sent By James Phillips (Kent Police, Police Constable, Maidstone Neighbourhood Beat Team) |
Kent’s Plan Bee No Mow May Survey 2026
/in News /by ClerkKCC have just launched a survey on Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign. In previous years, this has served to record participation and motivations in Kent but this year we are also interested in those not taking part.
NMM Poster 2026ICO Campaign empowers parents to discuss online privacy with children
/in News /by ClerkThe internet offers amazing opportunities for children – but every click can leave a hidden data trail and these digital footprints can last forever.
Children’s online privacy requires a whole society approach. We have taken and will continue to take action to hold tech companies accountable for their role.
There’s a role for parents too but the problem is that many families have never been shown how to talk to their children about online privacy.
This is where we come in. We’ve launched our Switched on to privacy campaign to help parents of kids aged four to 11 start simple conversations about protecting their personal information online.