Police Sweep In Sheppey Burglary And Theft Raids

Two men and a teenage boy have been arrested during early morning raids today (Tuesday 11th March) by a team of officers and detectives targeting those suspected of burglary and vehicle crime on Sheppey.

The team executed three warrants at addresses in Lapwing Close in Minster at about 8am and Neighbourhood and Divisional Support Unit officers, led by Island Sergeant Clive Garton, carried out searches at those addresses and seized items of property including mobile phones, a Ford Focus car and a Kawasaki motorbike.

A 23-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Minster, were arrested on suspicion of theft. A 21-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. All three remain in police custody.

Detective Sergeant Ian Sanderson, who heads up the team tackling burglary and vehicle theft in Swale, told SFM News: "The aim of today was not just about arresting those suspected of breaking into homes or stealing from cars, but disrupting the network that is fuelling these crimes. We will also continue to target those people who operate as handlers and reduce the outlets for stolen property.
My team is working extremely hard to reduce the number of burglaries, not just on Sheppey, but across Swale and days like today highlights how we act on information received. We take reports of burglary and vehicle crime very seriously and would urge members of the public to contact us should they suspect goods might be stolen. We always recommend people protectively mark their property and to keep it securely locked away, to try and prevent crimes taking place in the first place. However, if they do occur we work hard to both trace those responsible and also find the missing property".

In addition to the enforcement activity, Kent Police are also providing crime prevention advice on their website and it includes videos to help you prevent becoming a victim of crime. Please see:- http://www.kent.police.uk/advice/advice.html.