The Chief Constable’s Crime Squad is a group of uniformed officers and detectives who focus on burglary and robbery investigations.
Officers have demonstrated their expertise in targeting people they suspect are involved in organised crime over the last month.
This includes those who target innocent people who are deemed vulnerable.
Kyle Thatcher was among those imprisoned in May for breaking into three homes in Dover between April 7 and April 20, 2022. During one burglary, he pushed an elderly lady to the ground, injuring her head.
He was apprehended after stealing a duvet from one of the properties, which was discovered by a dog walker in nearby woods and contained Thatcher’s blood. An examination of his mobile data revealed that he was in the vicinity of the three burgled properties.
On 30 May 2022, he was sentenced to 32 months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.
Alfie Chambers, from Sittingbourne, was also convicted after being caught on CCTV targeting a home in Sheppey in September 2021. On May 12, 2022, he was sentenced to two years and five months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court.
‘The results in May have removed dangerous individuals from the street and made our communities safer,’ said Detective Inspector Danielle Driscoll, who leads the team.
‘We will continue to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice anyone who has aspirations to commit similar offences, making the county a difficult place for criminals to operate.’
Among the 53 charges obtained by the team were two suspected burglars charged with multiple break-ins in west and north Kent.
Benjamin Legg and Jack Piccolo were arrested on suspicion of targeting properties in Kent and Essex on May 26.
Piccolo, of Station Parade, Barking, Greater London, and Legg, of Academy Drive Road, Basildon, Essex, were charged with seven and ten burglaries, respectively. Both were also charged with one count of bank card theft. They are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
In addition, the team executed three search warrants and made 15 arrests in May.
Despite the team’s track record of holding high-risk offenders accountable, prevention is always preferable to cure.
Residents who are planning a vacation away from home are reminded that unoccupied homes can provide an opportunity for an opportunistic thief.
‘As we approach the summer months, it is understandable that many of us will consider going away,’ said DI Driscoll.
‘If you are going to leave your home unoccupied for any length of time, please remember to lock all windows and doors and keep garden tools secure.’
If you have the means, it is also worthwhile to invest in timer switches that allow you to turn on lights or a radio to give the appearance that your home is occupied. Private security cameras have also been shown to be effective deterrents.
‘These are all very simple steps, but they are often enough to deter a thief looking for a quick entry and exit from a building.’
‘Burglary offences are still uncommon, but if you are unfortunate enough to be targeted, you can be assured that every reasonable line of inquiry will be pursued in order to identify an offender.’
