Police Appeal For Witnesses After Family Robbed

Witnesses are being sought after a family were robbed in Sittingbourne in what officers believe may have been a case of mistaken identity.

The couple and their baby are reported to have been targeted at around 8.30pm in Balas Drive on Wednesday (7th November) evening.

Three men are alleged to have followed the victims home from a shopping trip and when they arrived at their house and began unloading their vehicle three men are reported to have got out of a car and threatened them.

They demanded drugs and cash from the victims and started to search their car while the couple's young baby was still inside. No injuries were reported.

Having searched the car, the men then stole the victim's keys and a baby changing bag as well as the items the couple had just purchased from a department store which included an advent calendar with beauty products inside and a baby blanket.

One of the men is described as being of medium build, around 5ft 5ins tall, wearing a balaclava and a dark padded jacket. The second man is described as being around 6ft tall, well-built, wearing a balaclava and a dark hooded top with a black jacket with a white zip. The third man is described as aged in his 20's, 6ft tall, of slim build, with dark hair and appeared to be clean shaven. He was wearing a red hooded jacket.

They are believed to have travelled to and from the scene in a grey Toyota car.

Sergeant Marc Makin, from Kent Police's Criminal Investigation Department, told SFM News: "We are treating this as a case of mistaken identity as the offenders demanded drugs and cash from a young family who had just been on a shopping trip. While these incidents are rare they are still very frightening for those involved. I'd like to hear from anyone who has information or who thinks they saw the suspects prior to or after the incident. I'd also like to hear from any motorists who may have captured the suspect's vehicle on their dash cam."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Kent Police Appeals Line for Swale on 01795 419 119 quoting 07-1614.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.