KentOnline

The Prime Minister has been in Kent to see for himself the rollout of the emergency Covid vaccine booster programme.Boris Johnson announced on Sunday he wants everyone to have had a third jab by the end of the year, in a bid to further protect people from the Omicron variant.Hear what the PM had to say to our reporter Oliver Kemp during his visit.Cases of the new variant are rising sharply which has led to France deciding to close its border.From Saturday you won’t be able to travel across the Channel for a holiday or for business unless you have a ‘compelling reason’ to be there.We’ve been speaking to Chris Parker from DFDS Seaways which runs cross-Channel ferry services from Dover.Also in today’s podcast, a damning report has revealed the poor conditions being used to house asylum seekers after they arrive on the Kent coast.The Chief Inspector of Prisons has spoken about their findings. We’ve also got reaction from Kent Refugee Action Network and a statement from the Home Office.Gillingham have been forced to call off this weekend’s game in league one.And find out which player is returning to play cricket in Kent next summer.

A man who murdered two women in Kent more than 30 years ago has been told he’ll die in prison.David Fuller killed Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells in 1987.The crimes went unsolved for decades until advances in DNA technology led to the 67-year-old’s arrested at his home in Heathfield in East Sussex last December.As officers searched the property they discovered evidence he had also abuse the bodies of almost 100 women in mortuaries at hospitals where he worked as an electrician.At Maidstone Crown Court he was sentenced to 12 years for those crimes to run concurrently with two whole life orders.Hear reaction from outside the court.Also in today’s podcast, you’ll now need a Covid pass to get into nightclubs, football stadiums and concert venues.The idea was voted in by MPs last night, despite almost 100 Conservatives rebelling against the Government.And, as the hospitality sector suffers from cancelled Christmas bookings in light of the spread of the Omicron variant, we speak to a hotel manager and pub boss on how they think the festive period will pan out.It’s been revealed Dartford has the highest rate of homelessness in Kent – with one in every 172 people without permanent accommodation.Hear from charity Shelter who have released the data.The man who set up the Street Soccer Foundation speaks to us about a charity match they’ll staging at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium this week.A number of celebrities will be taking part to help raise funds for the work they do in schools.And, find out if Kent’s Zak Crawley has made it into the England side for the second Ashes Test in Australia.

The mum of a man who has been missing from Deal for more than two weeks has made a heartfelt appeal for him to get in touch.Alex Holland was last seen on Sunday, November 28.The dad-of-two said he was popping out for a cigarette and hasn’t been heard from since.Rachel Holland says she’s concerned he could be hurt and is desperate to know what has happened to the 27-year-old.Also in today’s podcast, we have the latest on Covid as MPs prepare to vote on new Plan B restrictions in a bid to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant.It’s thought as many as 75 Tories will vote against the idea of Covid passports to get into certain venues.We’ve also been asking if you’re still planning to go to a work Christmas party this year as some restaurants start to report booking cancellations and deferrals.The MP for Dover has been speaking in the Commons about a young girl in her constituency who needs cannabis based medication to control epileptic seizures.Teagan Appleby’s parents are still having to pay for the drugs despite a change in the law. Hear what Natalie Elphicke has had to say.And an iconic Margate venue is set to close for a year as investigations are done into how it can be preserved for future generations.Our business editor Chris Britcher explains what the future could be for the Winter Gardens.

A mum says she’s been forced to barricade herself in her council flat with her young son because she feels so unsafe.Laura Jones is originally from Thanet but has been put in emergency accommodation in Folkestone because no properties nearer to home were available.Despite being grateful for having a roof over their heads, she says she fears for her and her son’s safety due to the behaviour of a neighbour.Hear what Thanet District Council have had to say about the situation.Also in today’s podcast, hear from our reporter Alex Jee as he joined a queue of people waiting to get a Covid booster jab after the Prime Minister announced we should all have one by the end of the month.Dr Jack Jacobs, who’s a GP near Ashford, has been reacting to the ambitious target.And, the owner of a shared work space in Rochester chats about the new work from home guidance that has come into force.A man who used to be homeless has been speaking about landing his dream job helping others who’re on the streets.Richard O’Neill has been speaking to our reporter Katie Heslop.And the Gillingham manager has been reacting to their latest defeat in league one.Steve Evans’ side have now gone eight games without a win after losing 2-1 to Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

An inquest jury has found that police mistakes ‘probably’ contributed to the deaths of serial killer Stephen Port’s victims.Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend was among four men who were drugged and killed by Port between 2014 and 2015.Hear from the solicitor representing the victim’s families, the barrister of Daniel Whitworth’s partner at the time of his death, and also a response from the Met Police.Also in today’s podcast, The son of a former Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kent is at the centre of the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.Ed Oldfield, who went to King’s School in Rochester, is the man who can be heard joking with Boris Johnson’s former press secretary in the video obtained by ITV News earlier this week.It’s as Plan B restrictions start to come into force from today. Hear from a University of Kent virologist.Residents in part of Medway say they’ll have to reconsider their futures if an industrial vineyard gets built.The plans for private land off Upper Bush in Cuxton include a wine production facility, café, visitors’ centre, and a car park – her from residents and local parish councillors.Former footballer Chris Kamara has been in Medway for the opening of a new activity centre based on the Ninja Warrior UK TV show.It’s in the old Dickens World building at Chatham Dockside.And, hear from midfielder Danny Lloyd ahead of Gillingham’s crunch game at Fleetwood Town this weekend.

People living near a planned new Aldi store in Ashford says it is ‘abysmally positioned’ and will cause a traffic nightmare.
The budget chain want to build in the Kennington Park part of town – hear from Dan Wright who’s been looking into the plans and explains why it’s so controversial.
Also in today’s podcast, a Maidstone man whose wife died last December says revelations of Christmas parties at Westminster have left him angry.
Clive Lever wasn’t able to say a final farewell to his wife due to Covid restrictions and has spoken out after the Prime Minister announced an investigation into alleged gatherings.
We have reaction to Plan B coming into force to try and curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
The deputy chief exec of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce says businesses will need support over the festive season.
The Kent County Council leader has told the KentOnline Podcast that rules meaning other authorities have to take in asylum seeking children should be a permanent solution not a temporary fix.
And a star of this year’s pantomime at the Central Theatre in Chatham says it’s great to be back on stage – despite fears over the new Covid variant.

Two of Kent’s Conservative MPs have demanded answers over the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.
It’s after video emerged of staff at Number 10 joking about a ‘cheese and wine’ event during a mock news conference last December when Covid restrictions were in place.
Hear from North Thanet’s Sir Roger Gales, our political editor Paul Francis and what some of you have had to say about it.
Also in today’s podcast, two teenagers have been charged with murder after a man was found dead at a property in Tunbridge Wells.
A mum has welcomed calls for all children to be screened for dyslexia before they leave primary school.
The founder of an animal sanctuary says she’s a nervous wreck ahead of a meeting which is set to decide its future.
Happy Pants Ranch moved onto land near Sittingbourne back in January but requires a change of use application to be approved if it’s to stay there.
And the Gillingham manager has been reacting to their 5-1 defeat to Rotherham in league one.

A pre-Christmas sleigh ride around Sittingbourne could be cancelled after someone threatened to punch Santa.Organisers of the popular event in the town say they were stalked by ‘very unpleasant drunks’ while out last night.Oliver Kemp has been following this story for us and has the latest.Also in today’s podcast, a video has emerged of a car being driven into a cyclist following an argument in Tunbridge Wells.Police say they are investigating.Hear from the Kent mum of two murdered sisters after two former officers were jailed for taking photos of their bodies.PCs Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis shared images of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman on WhatsApp, while guarding the scene of the crime in Wembley last year.A Kent woman, who’s only just been reunited with her daughter after not being able to see each other for two years, is now stuck in South Africa.Because of the discovery of the Omicron Covid variant, Wendy Pfeiffer will have to quarantine when she gets back to the UK – she’s spoken to the podcast about how she’s feeling.We’re being urged to take extra care today as Storm Barra brings wet and windy conditions to Kent.Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher on why so many families from Hong Kong are moving to Tunbridge Wells.And, the Gillingham boss chats ahead of their clash with top of the table Rotherham in league one tonight.

Customers have been asked to leave a supermarket in Medway after what police have described as a medical emergency.
Officers and ambulance crews were called to Aldi in Gillingham at the weekend.
Also in today’s podcast, six people have been arrested as part of a murder inquiry in Tunbridge Wells.
A man’s body was found on Caley Road in the early hours of Saturday.
Winds of up to 80 miles-per-hour are due to hit Kent tomorrow as Storm Barra arrives.
We have the latest from the Met Office.
A new women only bus is going to be running in Dover to make sure they get home safety at night.
Hear about the Angel Express which will be operating in the weeks before Christmas.
We’ve been getting your views as a crackdown on drugs announced by the government will aim to get 300,000 heroin and crack addicts in England and Wales into rehab – and break up 2,000 County Lines gangs. 
The KentOnline Podcast has been told around one in five under 30s in the UK will rely on charities over Christmas.
We’ve been speaking to The Salvation Army.
We’ve been to have a look inside shipping containers that are being used as work space in Medway.
Box City has opened its second site, with 52 rentable units equipped with electricity, heating, air-con and wi-fi.
And, a Faversham family who found fame with their songs during lockdown – are back. Hear some of their version of Mack the Knife.

A case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus has been confirmed at a school in Kent – believed to be the first case in the county.
Someone at Northfleet Technology College near Gravesend tested positive early last week and has now been told they have the new strain – hear a statement released by the school.
Meantime, another school in Kent is coming in for criticism after students were removed from lessons and given detentions for wearing face masks in class.
Also in today’s podcast, there are calls for the park and ride service in Canterbury to be scrapped.
The council’s been making a loss from it as passenger numbers continue to fall short of pre-pandemic levels – hear from Joseph Wright who’s written the story.
The Conservatives have held onto their seat in the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election.
There was a low voter turnout and a 10 percent swing to Labour, who came second.
The KentOnline Podcast has been told there’s been a huge increase in the number of child abuse image offences recorded by police in Kent over the past five years.
New data shows they’ve dealt with 5-thousand-187 cases in the county since 2016 – with the biggest rise during the pandemic. The NSPCC have spoken out.
And, Europe’s largest truck stop has opened in Ashford today.
The site on the Henwood Industrial Estate in Sevington has space for 650 lorries, as well as a state of the art facilities including a gym and restaurant.