Kent Police are appealing for a group of teenage boys from the Whitstable area to come forward after they intervened in a suspected kidnapping on Friday, August 1, 2025. The quick-thinking teens are believed to have helped an 18-year-old woman escape from her captor.
The victim reported that she was approached by a man in Westgate Gardens just before 5pm and was taken to a nearby property on St. Peter’s Street. She was not physically harmed and left the address at approximately 5:46 pm, returning to Westgate Gardens. It was there that three boys, believed to be between 15 and 17 years old, came to her aid, causing the suspect to flee the scene. The boys then left the area on a bus heading toward Whitstable.
Police were notified and a suspect was arrested shortly after the incident. On Saturday, August 2, a man aged 40, was charged with kidnap/false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence. He appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on August 4 and was remanded in custody to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on September 1. Detectives are asking the teenagers to contact them as they may be able to provide vital information about the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call Kent Police at 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/ZY/16903/25. You can also report information anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555111 or online.