Safer Business Week sees 38 arrests across north Kent

Officers in Gravesham, Dartford, Medway and Swale have continued to combat retail crime as part of the force’s Safer Business Action Week.

Between Monday 10 November and Sunday 16 November 2025, patrols attended high streets and shopping centres to speak to shop owners, assess their concerns and offer crime prevention advice.

Whilst engaged on the visits, the constables also took the opportunity to proactively arrest multiple suspected shoplifters.

On Wednesday 12 November, a man was detained at Sittingbourne Retail Park as he was wanted for failing to appear at court in connection with four theft charges.

On the same day, a suspected thief was arrested at his address where a knuckleduster was also seized. Ricky Hunter, 44, of St George’s Avenue, Sheerness was later charged with four counts of theft and possession of an offensive weapon.

Results

In total, officers across north Kent made 38 arrests and charged 26 people over the course of Safer Businesses Week relating to shoplifting, robbery and criminal damage to commercial properties.

Superintendent Matthew Burbeck said:

‘Safer Business Action Week is always a good opportunity for us to connect with staff, managers and owners across the region while renewing our focus on commerce-related crime prevention. ‘A key part of our role is to ensure everyone feels safe and we had excellent feedback from our officers’ visits. We also had great arrest and charge results, which shows the force’s proactivity when tackling retail crimes.’