Swale and Medway investigators are continuing the crackdown on thefts at shops and businesses. Between Thursday 12 October and Sunday 29 October 2023, Kent Police received six reports that property including confectionery, groceries and laundry products had been stolen from stores in Sittingbourne town centre. The value of the items exceeded £400 and on Monday 6 November a man was arrested. Robert Smith, of College Road, Sittingbourne was later charged by officers from the Swale Victim Based Crime Team with six counts of theft.

In a separate investigation, five thefts were reported at Tesco in the Rainham Shopping Centre between Monday 30 October and Friday 3 November. Bottles of spirits were allegedly stolen with a value of around £160. On Monday 6 November, a suspect was arrested in connection with these incidents. Lewis O’Brien, of High Street, Chatham was later charged by investigators from the Medway Victim Based Crime Team with five counts of theft.

Mr Smith, aged 39, and Mr O’Brien, aged 33, both appeared before Medway Magistrates on Tuesday 7 November. The former was conditionally bailed to appear before the same court on 24 November and the latter pleaded guilty to all the indictments and was recalled to prison. O’Brien will also be required to pay £165 in compensation.