Wayne Ford, who has links to Tonbridge, Brighton and Lewes, is being sought by Kent Police after allegedly failing to appear at a scheduled court hearing.
The Appeal
Kent Police have added Wayne Ford to their Most Wanted list and are asking the public to help find him. Ford is alleged to have failed to appear at court in connection with an ongoing Kent Police investigation — the kind of no-show that triggers an arrest warrant, signed off by the courts and circulated to officers to enforce.
If you see him, call 999 and quote reference 46/10889/26. Don’t try to detain him yourself.
Where He May Be
Ford has known links to three areas: Tonbridge in west Kent, and Brighton and Lewes in East Sussex. That’s a significant spread. It suggests Kent Police may well be working alongside Sussex Police to trace him — a cross-county effort drawing on intelligence, address checks and patrols along the main roads and rail routes that stitch the two force areas together.
Tonbridge sits within the Tonbridge and Malling district, home to a hefty chunk of Kent’s 1.8 million residents. Officers there are likely conducting targeted enquiries — visits to known associates, that sort of thing — as part of live operational efforts to find Ford.
Why the Most Wanted List Exists
Landing on Kent Police’s Most Wanted list isn’t routine. It means the standard attempts to locate someone haven’t worked, and officers need the public’s eyes. The list covers individuals sought for failing to appear at court, recall to prison, or serious alleged offences.
And the courts have a clear interest in making these warrants stick. Defendants are required to turn up. When they don’t, a warrant ensures the court’s authority isn’t simply ignored — and failing to appear can itself bring further legal consequences, including being remanded in custody once eventually found.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service and Ministry of Justice data confirm that failure-to-appear warrants are issued routinely across England and Wales, making up a sizeable share of the warrants Kent Police execute each year. Kent Police record tens of thousands of crimes annually, a proportion of which end up in court proceedings where attendance isn’t optional.
What Police Are Asking
Don’t approach him. That’s the message. Kent Police’s guidance — consistent across all Most Wanted appeals — is straightforward: if you spot Ford, ring 999 and quote reference 46/10889/26. Leave the rest to officers.
Finding Ford is, the force has made clear, a live operational priority. The public appeal is designed to shake loose fresh information and to send a message that court-ordered warrants will be pursued. Which, one imagines, is not entirely a surprise to anyone.
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Key Takeaways
- Wayne Ford has been added to Kent Police’s Most Wanted list after allegedly failing to appear at court, with an arrest warrant now in force
- He has known links to Tonbridge in Kent, and to Brighton and Lewes in East Sussex, suggesting potential cross-county movement
- Anyone who sees Ford should call 999 quoting reference 46/10889/26 and should not attempt to approach or detain him
What This Means for Kent Residents
If you’re in or around Tonbridge, you may notice increased police activity as officers work this appeal. The Most Wanted listing is a clear sign that routine efforts to locate Ford haven’t produced a result. Kent Police are now relying on local knowledge to move things forward — and residents across west Kent, or anyone with connections to the Brighton and Lewes areas, are being asked to stay alert and report sightings promptly via 999.