A crackdown on shoplifting across west Kent has seen another three suspects charged. Two women and a man will appear before court in connection with repeated offences at stores in and around Maidstone.
A 48-year-old woman from East Malling, was arrested on Saturday 8 June 2024 following a spate of reported thefts over the past five months at shops which included Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Iceland.
She is alleged to have stolen meat, flowers, beauty products, alcohol and clothing with a value totalling almost £2,500. She was charged by the Maidstone Victim Based Crime Team with seven counts of theft and will appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 10 June.
In a separate and unrelated case, another two shoplifting suspects were arrested in connection with the theft of grocery items and alcohol at a Co-op in Harrietsham, between May and June.
The man and woman both 23 and from Thurnham, Maidstone have been charged with two counts of theft. They are bailed to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on 5 July.
Inspector Steve Kent said:
‘Shoplifting is never something we are willing to tolerate, and we remain determined to protect businesses in Maidstone from those who see them as easy pickings. It is great to see the work we are doing is providing some really encouraging results, and since the beginning of this year our officers have brought a total of 145 charges against those suspected of shoplifting offences.
‘I’d like to reassure businesses that we will continue to target our patrols, including plain clothes officers, in areas where we believe we can effectively identify and pursue repeat offenders.’