Kent Police were called at 6.55 a.m. on Monday, 30 May 2022, after a report that two men were seen attempting to steal oil from a business on Dymchurch Road.

The men were then seen jumping a fence and fleeing the area in a white van, according to reports.

Folkestone and Hythe Local Policing Team officers responded to the scene, and a van matching the description was tracked down and stopped.

A 50-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of theft and have since been released under investigation.

An investigation is also underway to determine whether the incident is related to two other cooking oil thefts in the area.

We advise any business that stores cooking oil to review their security arrangements to ensure it does not attract the attention of thieves,’ said Detective Inspector Sheena Barrell of Folkestone and Hythe Community Safety Unit.

‘Make certain that any alarm systems and CCTV cameras are fully operational, and that staff is trained to review and download footage.’ This will not only deter thieves, but will also make recovering stolen goods and identifying offenders easier.

‘We also recommend that areas surrounding the business be well-lit and that wheelie bins be stored away to prevent them from being used to gain access to buildings or scale fences.’