A prolific shoplifter in the Thanet and Canterbury areas, who violently assaulted a police officer during his arrest, has been sentenced to over two years in prison. Jordan Best, 38, was arrested following a spree of thefts across Kent, targeting supermarkets in Ramsgate, Whitstable, Canterbury, Herne Bay, and Margate between March and April 2024.

The incident that led to Best’s arrest occurred on Wednesday, April 10, when Kent Police responded to a report from a shop in the Newington area of Ramsgate. The shop had reported that Best had stolen from their premises twice that day. After a member of the public identified Best, an officer attended the scene and spotted him. Best attempted to flee, swinging a bag of stolen goods and hitting the officer with it. Despite his attempts to escape, Best was apprehended and arrested on suspicion of theft and assaulting an emergency worker.

A subsequent investigation by Kent Police revealed that Best was responsible for numerous thefts across various businesses. CCTV footage from each of the reported crimes identified Best as the culprit, who frequently stole large quantities of goods, including meat and laundry products, often filling a holdall and walking out of the stores without paying.

During one theft on April 3 at a Ramsgate store, Best stole meat and was confronted by a security guard. When asked to return the stolen items, Best pushed the guard and fled with the stolen goods.

When officers attempted to arrest Best for these thefts on April 22, he violently resisted, attacking the arresting officer. Best tried to gouge out the officer’s eyes, punched him in the face, and attempted to bite him during the struggle.

At Canterbury Crown Court on September 24, Best, who had no fixed address, admitted to committing 12 thefts, assaulting an emergency worker, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assaulting a shop employee. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison, which included 120 days from a previously suspended sentence.

Inspector Shelah Thompson of Kent Police condemned Best’s actions, saying: “The idea that you can walk into several shops, fill a bag with stolen goods, and then assault anyone who challenges you is a foolish one. Kent Police works with businesses to ensure they have security measures like CCTV in place, improving the chances of catching criminals.

Inspector Thompson also praised the efforts of local officers and the victims, adding: “Jordan Best was well known to local neighbourhood officers, and their diligent review of CCTV footage led to his identification and subsequent arrest. I want to thank the businesses and the victims who were simply doing their jobs when assaulted by Best. Their support has been crucial in bringing this individual to justice and disrupting his appalling behavior.

Best is now serving his prison sentence, bringing a temporary halt to his spree of theft and violence.