The charges were filed over the course of a month and are all related to cases investigated by the town’s Victim Based Crime Team (VBCT), which is dedicated to deterring repeat offenders and reducing the negative impact crime can have on local communities and businesses.

One of the issues that VBCT constables continue to focus on is assisting retailers in combating thieves and related crimes such as abuse and threats made to shop employees. Dave O’Connell is accused of stealing alcohol from a Co-op in Loose Road on November 25, 2022. He is also accused of punching an employee in the face and yelling racial slurs at him. Mr O’Connell, 34, of Meadowbank Road, Chatham, now faces charges of racially aggravated assault, public order offences, and shoplifting. He is scheduled to appear in Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on February 27, 2023.

Another theft-related investigation involves John Vidler, 31, and Alice Collins, 29, who are charged in connection with allegations that a phone belonging to a child was stolen in December last year while he was playing football on a recreational area in Marden. On March 1, 2023, they will both appear in Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

Hate crimes are also a top priority for VBCT officers. Two men were allegedly assaulted while walking home from a night out in Maidstone town centre in the early hours of 22 July 2022. The victims were also allegedly subjected to homophobic abuse and threats.

Ben Marshall, 23, of Lister Close, East Malling, and another suspect from Scotland were apprehended and charged with two counts of assault and two counts of using threatening words or behaviour with the intent to incite hatred on the basis of sexual orientation. They have been bailed to appear in Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on March 17th.

Chief Inspector Mark McLellan, District Commander for Maidstone, said: ‘Maidstone is, on the whole, a safe place to live and visit, but, like any town, it will have ongoing issues, often linked to those posed by prolific or repeat offenders. This is why combating crimes like shoplifting, petty theft, and street disorder is critical to fostering trust and confidence in the communities we serve. We will never accept that retail employees must deal with confrontations or threats as part of their jobs, or that young people should ever feel the need to look over their shoulders after a night out.