22 minutes | Friday, 22 December 2023
It has been a chaotic start to the big Christmas getaway, after an unexpected strike by Eurotunnel staff in France caused major disruption on Kent's roads.Trains were cancelled for several hours yesterday, and although the dispute has now been resolved it has had a huge knock-on impact on cross-Channel traffic.Also in today’s episode, shoppers are being urged to "keep their cool" this festive season, as retail workers in Kent speak out about violence, threats and abuse.Figures show nearly two-thirds of staff have been verbally abused and 42% have been threatened.There are calls for Kent Police to be given more resources to fight a synthetic drug that is 50 times stronger than heroin.Nitazene has claimed the lives of 54 people across the country in the last six months. 12 of those were from the south east.There is a reminder that help is available for anyone in Kent who is struggling with money worries, relationship or health issues over Christmas.The County Council's "release the pressure" campaign offers free expert advice from trained counsellors.Three local authorities in west Kent have teamed up to stop violence against women and girls.An online survey has been launched to find out where people feel the most unsafe.And a grieving son from Deal has written a Christmas song for his late mum, inspired by notes she wrote for him before her death.64-year-old musician Paul Baker discovered her heartfelt words after Marjorie died aged 97 in a care home in September.