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Kent Police’s Rural Task Force has concluded a highly successful week of proactive enforcement, recovering five suspected stolen caravans and arresting three individuals across the county. The operation, spanning from June 20th to June 27th, saw officers crack down on caravan theft and the handling of stolen goods.
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The crackdown began on Friday, June 20th, when officers near Minster, Thanet, stopped a vehicle towing a caravan. A 26-year-old man from Sittingbourne was detained after checks revealed the caravan had been reported stolen in Macclesfield, Cheshire, back in 2021. He was arrested on suspicion of theft and handling stolen goods. Later that same day, officers at an unauthorized encampment in Faversham recovered a second stolen tourer, which had been reported stolen from Sevenoaks, also in 2021. The proactive efforts continued on Wednesday, June 25th, with the seizure of a third camper in Gravesend. This vehicle was confirmed to have been stolen from south Wales in 2021.
Thursday, June 26th, saw further arrests following a reported caravan theft in Leysdown earlier in June. A 35-year-old man from Chatham and a 28-year-old woman from Snodland were detained, and a trailer located in Medway was seized in connection with the investigation.
The successful week culminated on Friday, June 27th, when patrols on the M2 near Faversham intercepted a further suspected stolen caravan. Officers were alerted to its irregular towing, leading to its seizure.
This series of recoveries and arrests underscores Kent Police’s ongoing commitment to tackling rural crime and bringing those involved in theft to justice.
Sgt Ross Haybourne from the Rural Task Force said:
‘We carry out regular and frequent operations to disrupt the theft of stolen plant and agricultural machinery, as well as leisure vehicles including caravans. Our officers have undertaken training to enable us to identify suspected stolen caravans resulting in a number of seizures and arrests.
‘While the investigations into the seized caravans continue, I would like to remind owners of steps that can be taken to safeguard their property. This can include registration with an approved identification scheme, installing a tracking system and fitting anti-theft devices to deter would-be culprits.’