Swift response in Gravesend leads to conviction of serial shoplifter

A shoplifter who was part of a gang which targeted multiple stores in Gravesend is facing sentencing following a swift response between police and a council employee.

Patrols were called to suspicious activity in Windmill Street on Monday 4 July 2022, after an alert was broadcast through the town centre’s G-Safe radio system, which is used by businesses to report potential criminal activity to each other.

Several discarded bags were located nearby which contained items stolen from a number of stores.

Town centre patrols and a Gravesham Borough Council enforcement officer then carried out a search for four suspects within Thamesgate Shopping Centre. They were identified and arrested.

Guilty pleas

An investigation led by the Victim Based Crime Team resulted in them being charged and remanded to Medway Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday 6 July.

A 17-year-old girl from Chatham pleaded guilty to six counts of theft. These also included three shoplifting offences at Bluewater on 20 February 2022.

She was granted conditional bail and will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 25 July.

Three women, aged 18, 21 and 24 pleaded guilty to multiple thefts in relation to the Gravesend offences. They were made subject of conditional discharges for a period of 18 months.