Police have shed some light on why figures show Tannery Lane has the highest crime in Sandwich.

The Mercury reported last week that The Butts area in Sandwich has the highest levels of crime according to the Police UK website.

This revealed that from January to April this year there were 25 crimes in the area. It also shows that the most crimes took place in Tannery Lane, which the Mayor of Sandwich, Cllr Paul Graeme, found very difficult to believe.

He said: “It does surprise me, it’s a cul-de-sac and a very nice area of Sandwich.

“It’s not a road where people would walk through.”

A police spokesman said the crime map uses postcode data to plot incidents and is therefore not precise.

He said: “For example, there have not actually been any crimes reported in Tannery Lane itself. This postcode incorporates the main supermarket for the town which accounts for the three shoplifting offences and a large area of open public space including play parks, car parks and other businesses.”

This highlights that most of the problems have occurred at The Butts but police say it also takes into account shoplifting offences at the Co-op in Moat Sole.

The spokesman said: “Police and the Co-op have been working together to tackle shoplifting. The number of offences are low and the store follows good procedures to reduce crime.”

This has resulted in the arrest of a person in connection with one of the April offences reported last week.

Police say this area does not have a particular issue, though residents have noted anti-social behaviour at The Butts including illegal camping, littering, and, according to the crime map, violent or sexual assaults.

A police spokesman added: “Sandwich is served by two dedicated PCSOs, Ian Norton and Doreen Lee, who are supported by a larger community policing team. There are also volunteer officers from the Special Constabulary who carry out regular patrols and deal with issues that affect the community.”

Jessica Frances Smith, 35, of St Richard’s Road, Deal, was arrested and charged with the theft of groceries from the Co-op on April 23, and three thefts at other locations. She appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 13, but did not enter a plea. She was released on conditional bail until July 29, when she will appear again.