Warning after pupil is followed by man

A school has issued an alert to parents after one of its pupils was followed by a suspicious man in the city centre.

The warning was made by Rob Green, deputy head of Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School, after the incident last Tuesday in St George’s Street, Canterbury.

Police officers investigating confirmed they arrested a 21-year-old, who has since been released on bail until February 19.

In a letter to parents, Mr Green said there had been a “safeguarding incident” involving pupils at the school.

“I would like to assure you that the police are investigating this incident and working with parents and students,” he said.

“We would like to remind all parents and students once again to be mindful of personal safety travelling to and from school and at all times.”

Police spokesman Scarlet Jones confirmed there had been a report of a pupil from the school being followed in St George’s Street by a man acting suspiciously.

“The man did not approach or touch the girl, but police are making enquiries to locate him,” she said.

“It was reported to police on Wednesday, January 18, but happened on Tuesday, January 17, between 3.40pm and 4pm.”

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting crime reference ZY/2405/17. Canterbury City Council has hosted a champagne bash to honour its former members – just two weeks after doubling the amount of tax paid by the district’s poorest families.

The authority handed out 25 medals, at £175 each, to former councillors to recognise their long service, with the ceremony on Thursday night followed by an exclusive party at the city’s Beaney museum.

A bill of £5,695, enough to cover the benefit cuts of 110 families, will be picked up by the taxpayer.

But council chiefs are defending the scheme, which has given 26 ex-members the title of Honorary Alderman.

It argues the gesture reflects the “considerable contribution” that long-serving councillors have made to the district.

Among them is former Conservative leader John Gilbey, former Lib Dem leader Alex Perkins and former Labour leader Iain Douglas.

Anti-austerity campaigners have condemned the costs.

Canterbury and Whitstable Stop the Cuts chairman Chris Weller said: “I don’t mind people who have put in a few years being recognised, but do they really need the medal?

“Isn’t the title of honorary Alderman enough? And what are the people of the district going to get from these Aldermen?

“They could have had a nice little ceremony before a full council meeting and left it there. But instead they had this special meeting at a time when they are cutting council tax benefit to the poorest and cutting the enhanced care budget.”

Fellow anti-cuts campaigner Kate Adams added: “It’s awful timing and it comes when the Tories keep pushing through cuts. I don’t agree with austerity, especially when you’ve got ordinary people struggling.”

And Edd Withers, the chairman of Pride Canter- bury, which was refused a £ 1,000 grant from the council, said: “It’s frustrating to hear they’re having champagne receptions when they turned us down for money.”

The city council announced last year that former councillors who had served three terms, or two terms plus held civic office as Lord Mayor or Sheriff, would qualify as Honorary Aldermen.

Of the 30 who qualify, 26 accepted and 25 attended the ceremonial meeting of the council, where they received a medal bearing the city’s insignia from Lord Mayor of Canterbury Cllr George Metcalfe.

Only Conservative Cyril Windsor, who represented Seasalter continuously between 1974 and 2013, did not attend as he has emigrated to Australia.

The members of the current council voted unanimously to support the scheme.

Wincheap Lib Dem Nick Eden-green, who seconded the motion, defended its cost.

He said: “This strikes me as a fairly modest sum and I think there is value in recognising the work that some councillors have done over a long period of time.

“I’m not saying this sort of thing cannot be questioned – indeed, it should – but do we say then that there should be no expenditure on the civic function of the council? “Some people might question why we have a planning and licensing department if we are just supposed to give money to the very poorest people. You could say that about central government spending on things like defence.”

Council spokesman Rob Davies said: “The appointment of 26 former councillors as Honorary Aldermen recognises their considerable contribution to the council and the community. The awards covered all qualifying former councillors back to 1974, when the council was created.

“The role of Honorary Alderman has no salary or allowance, so the costs involved in the event are a one-off. In future, only those who qualify at the end of each four-year council will be honoured in this way, which will be a much smaller number, with consequently much smaller costs.”

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Former councillors receive their Aldermen of Canterbury awards