A prolific Medway shoplifter has been jailed after a swift investigation identified him as responsible for a series of offences. Between Thursday 7 March and Sunday 7 April 2024, Ross Collins went to the Co-op in Delce Road, Rochester on six occasions, and stole items by concealing them in his clothing.

Property stolen included large quantities of meat, frozen food and cleaning products. During the same period, Collins went to a shop in Maidstone Road, Chatham and stole 12 cans of alcohol and 43 meat products. The total value of the property stolen exceeded £500. When local officers recognised him from CCTV footage, he was tracked down and arrested on Tuesday 9 April in Ordnance Street, Chatham.

Collins, of Conifer Drive, Chatham, was later charged with seven counts of theft. He was remanded to Medway Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to all the indictments. The 41-year-old was immediately imprisoned for 120 days and ordered to pay compensation to the businesses he had targeted.

District Commander for Medway, Chief Inspector Garry Cook, said: ‘This latest arrest emphasises our commitment to local businesses and the determination of our constables to target those responsible for retail crime. Where CCTV footage or other evidence allows neighbourhood officers to identify suspects, they are swiftly arrested. Investigators from our Victim Based Crime Team then ensure they are charged and, when appropriate, immediately placed before the court to answer for their crimes.’