Swale officers target retail theft and disorderly behaviour

Officers tackling antisocial behaviour in Sittingbourne have also detained an alleged shoplifter carrying four legs of lamb.

The constables had been patrolling the town centre on Sunday 23 February 2025, after a dispersal order had been issued to combat disorderly conduct by a small number of young people.

A report was received that meat products had been stolen from Sainsbury’s in Avenue of Remembrance and, with the assistance of local authority CCTV operators, a suspect was tracked down in the High Street.

Arrested

A man was arrested and taken into custody. Four joints of lamb were also seized. Anthony West, of High Street, Sittingbourne, was later charged with three separate thefts of meat and bakery products valued at £85.

The 42 year old was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on the following day. He was then conditionally bailed to the same court on Friday 11 April.

In addition to detaining the suspected thief, the neighbourhood constables ordered four teenagers to immediately leave the area after they had caused a nuisance in the town centre. They later received strong words of advice in the presence of a parent.

Two of the boys who had damaged artificial plants in the High Street area, were required to write letters of apology to the victim and are banned from entering The Forum shopping centre until 1 April.

Damage to bins

This latest enforcement followed the arrest of three teenage boys on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 February after a litter bin was set alight in the High Street. All three suspects were tracked down by local constables and have been bailed while enquiries into the incident are completed.

Inspector Julia Bassindale said:

‘My town centre policing team are determined to tackle those who target local businesses by stealing products, committing criminal damage or behaving in a persistently disorderly manner.
'We are driving down reports of antisocial behaviour across Swale and residents can be reassured that we will respond promptly and robustly to those who choose to offend. Parents of teenagers coming to our attention can also expect a prompt visit at any time of the day from our constables and other partner agencies.’