Three offenders from Essex were jailed after a police pursuit led to arrests just 14 minutes after a break-in and car theft in Swanley.
Patrols tracked two stolen vehicles into Essex, where the drivers were detained following a high-speed chase. The burglary resulted in the theft of jewellery, a watch, a wallet, and keys for an Audi and a Mazda. Two men were arrested after one car was boxed in at a dead-end and the other was stopped at a petrol station. A third individual later handed himself in.
All three were convicted of burglary and theft offences at Maidstone Crown Court and were handed sentences ranging from 16 to 28 months in custody.
Detective Constable Rosie Acton said:
‘Burglary and car thefts cause huge upset and anxiety to victims and often have a lasting impact on people’s lives. These crimes don’t just result in financial loss—they take away people’s sense of security in their own homes and can leave entire communities feeling vulnerable. We are relentless in targeting those who travel to our neighbourhoods with the sole intention of committing crime, and this case illustrates the determination and speed of our officers to bring offenders to justice. From rapid response patrols to intelligence-led investigations, we have teams dedicated to disrupting these criminal networks and preventing further harm.’