Image source, Kent Police

Police have released CCTV footage of men they would like to speak to after a number of burglaries in which high value jewellery was taken.

Five burglaries - in Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Sturry - are being linked. They took place:

• in McCarthy Avenue, Sturry, at about 20:00 BST on 3 April
• in Park Avenue, Dover at about 12:40 BST on 5 April
• two burglaries in Greystones, Willesborough, Ashford at about 16:30 BST on 5 April
• in Freemantle Road, Folkestone, at about 17:15 BST on 7 April

Image source, Kent Police

Det Con Jonathan Heard, of Kent Police, said: "The offenders committing these burglaries know exactly what they are looking for.

"We believe they are organised criminals who are travelling from outside the county."

A woman who caused the death of a man in a car crash tried to avoid justice by claiming to have gone blind.

Sophie Robinson explores the Arts and Crafts movement in South East England and finds out why it was a rebellion against Victorian mass production.

Sophie Robinson explores William Morris' Red House at Bexleyheath with historian Tessa Wild.

They discover how Morris' large circle of artistic collaborators helped to build and design this classic Arts and Crafts house.

The artists and designers took their inspiration from the Kent countryside and local vernacular buildings.

Brett Connell is found guilty of 13 sexual offences and jailed for nine years.

David Browning phoned the Samaritans and said he had "stabbed somebody", a jury is told.

By turning ant brains into algorithms, scientists at the University of Sussex have made robots that can navigate without remote control or GPS. Now they are adapting the software to create self-learning drones. They hope the vehicles will be used for search and rescue missions.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

A woman's died after a collision in Kent earlier.

It happened on the Maidstone-bound carriageway of the A249 at Stockbury at 06:33 BST.

Two cars were involved and the victim, a woman in her 60s from Sittingbourne, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sue Nicholson
BBC News

Image source, GVA

Up to 600 people attended a meeting in Hastings last night in a last-ditch effort to ensure the town's pier is run by local people.

The Grade II listed pier reopened two years ago following a devastating fire in 2010, but five months ago the Hastings Pier Charity failed to raise the money required to maintain it.

In February, the administrators said they were looking for a new buyer.

Last night's meeting was organised by the Friends of Hastings Pier, who were given until today by the administrators to generate pledges worth £1m.

Jim Breeds, from the community group, said tens of thousands of pounds had now been pledged, but it was still short of the required amount.

He said they would be talking to the administrators and the real estate company GVA to indicate they have the capacity to raise more money but just need more time.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

An extra aircraft has been brought into Newquay Airport to cover a plane that has been grounded with a cracked windscreen.

The BE801 Flybe flight was heading to Gatwick but returned to Newquay after the pilot saw the damage to the outer layer of the windscreen this morning.

All 92 passengers were taken to Gatwick by road.

A statement from airport said: "We can confirm that the BE801 Flybe flight to London Gatwick returned to Cornwall Airport Newquay this morning, due to a crack in the outer layer of the windscreen.

"The captain took the necessary action and the aircraft landed without further incident.

"A replacement aircraft has been brought in to operate the later scheduled London Gatwick services."

Trevor Montague cannot contact a printing firm for 10 years after being accused of blackmail.

Lizzie Massey
BBC Live reporter

Image source, GTR

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has told passengers to plan ahead for a big timetable shake-up.

As the UK’s largest rail franchise, GTR has published, external new details of train services, which will affect around 500,000 journeys a day in the south of England.

The new schedule will begin on Sunday 20 May.

It will mean space for 40,000 more passengers into London at peak times.

Major upgrades are being introduced across Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express, all operated by GTR - which is the UK’s most congested railway.

Future expansion includes 80 more stations having direct services to central London stations by next year.

Surrey's youngsters have a head start in first-team cricket because of the club's role models, says spinner Amar Virdi.

Barry Hawkins says he is relieved to reach the second round in the World Championship for the eighth-straight season.

Lizzie Massey
BBC Live reporter

Image source, Google

Health inspectors have shut down a GP in Kent following serious concerns about patient safety.

Dr Stephen Lawrence can no longer legally provide primary medical services at the practice in St Mary’s Island, Chatham.

After being put into special measures, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection earlier this year found the surgery had not improved.

Inspectors found the service was "unsafe", with medication out of date and the oxygen cylinder empty.

Patients' records were not up to date and there were a number of patient complaints.

A new provider has been registered with the CQC to provide GP services from the St Mary’s Island Surgery.

Criminal gangs say they routinely smuggle illegal migrants into the UK via Dover using forged passports.

A collision involving two cars on the A249 near Stockbury closed the road in both directions.

The accident happened just after 06:30 BST, and Kent Police said it involves at least one serious injury to a person.

The Maidstone-bound carriageway will remain closed for the morning.

The northbound carriageway was due to re-open at around 09:30.

Drivers are advised to expect delays and avoid the area if possible.

Lizzie Massey
BBC Live reporter

Image source, PA

Schools in East Sussex are closing their doors to some of their younger students as teachers walk out in a row over pay.

Staff within the National Education Union are campaigning against the Local Authority’s pay award for 2017 – 18. They want a 2% rise.

• At the Priory School in Lewes, 61 members of staff are walking out: The school is closed to Years 7 - 10, with private study rooms open for Year 11.

• St Catherine's College in Eastbourne is down by 47 people: The school is closed, although a pre-arranged Year 10 trip is going ahead.

• Seaford Head School has 50 people striking: The school is closed to Years 7 - 10. Year 11 exam preparation is going ahead across all subjects, for Year 12 there are private study rooms and for Year 13 all lessons are being supervised.
• Peacehaven Community School is also closed, with Year 11 revision sessions.

• Uckfield Community Technology College is closed to Years 7 - 11, but open for Years 12 and 13.

Colin Campbell
Special Correspondent, BBC South East

Criminal gangs are getting illegal migrants into the UK via Dover using forged passports that are being checked and passed by border officials in France, a BBC South East investigation has found.

All the latest headlines, travel and weather from across Sussex, Kent and Surrey.