More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A teenager who came within a split-second of being mown down when a driver failed to stop at a red light has been left “disheartened” after police confirmed no further action will be taken.
Officers have been unable to find the motorist who struck Alicia Atkins, 15, while she was walking home from school last month in Park Farm, Ashford, leaving her with an injured leg.
The pupil and her mum were shocked upon hearing police did not have sufficient evidence after dashcam footage showed the driver slamming on the brakes at the last possible moment, but not before hurting Alicia.
She had been crossing at a green light for pedestrians near the Tesco store in Moatfield Meadow, when the vehicle, thought to be Volkswagen Tiguan, collided with her at 3.30pm on March 14.
Ashleigh Atkins says they both feel let down after receiving a letter from the police which said the case will not be pursued.
The frustrated mum told KentOnline: “Nobody has explained anything to us in terms of what they’ve looked at.
“I don’t know whether somebody saw the footage and thought ‘there’s no registration plate’ and that’s it.
“Getting the letter was a shock - first of all because the response was quicker than we thought.
“Alicia then opened it as it was addressed to her and was just very disheartened and disappointed.
“She said they weren’t doing anything about it and I just thought ‘well that’s that then’.
“I’m not sure if we can or will appeal. We weren’t asked if there were any more witnesses or evidence, so we’re not sure what else we can do.”
The letter, from Kent Police’s traffic summons team, and seen by KentOnline, reads: “I write to inform you that it has not been possible to gather sufficient evidence to support a prosecution or other police action as despite enquiries we have been unable to trace the driver.
“You may wish to seek advice from the Motor Insurance Bureau established to consider claims for property damage and injury where compensation cannot be claimed from another source.”
Taytania Tolputt, who captured the collision on her dashcam, stopped to check the youngster was alright.
After the startling incident Alicia continued to walk to the other side of the road and was then helped by a passerby.
The impact caused Alicia’s leg to swell, with a large bruise later appearing.
Ms Atkins says she and Alicia want to see the driver take responsibility.
She added: “We went into Tesco to ask for CCTV to try and see the registration plate. but were told it was only police who can request that which I hope they did.
“All we wanted was responsibility to be taken and for someone to take accountability for their actions.
“If could happen to any child, or anyone else, because it’s a crossing.”
The youngster’s mum previously said the incident “could have been so much worse”, and she was left feeling “sick” after watching the footage back.
A police spokesman said they were not able to identify the car, due to the quality of the dashcam footage.
They said: “Kent Police was contacted on Sunday 16 March 2025 and it was reported that a collision involving a car and a pedestrian had taken place in Moatfield Meadow, Ashford at around 3.30pm on Friday 14 March.
“The pedestrian had reportedly sustained minor injuries which did not require medical treatment.
“The force's traffic summons team carried out enquiries to determine whether any criminal offences had taken place, which included obtaining dashcam footage from another vehicle.
“Unfortunately, the footage was not of sufficient quality to identify the car involved and the investigation has been filed pending any further information coming to light.
“Anyone with information about the incident should email traffic.summons@kent.police.uk quoting reference 1566978.”
