Thanet thief jailed within days after police disrupt shoplifting in action

A shoplifter has been charged and jailed within a week of police in Thanet finding £500 worth of stolen men’s underwear in his car.

Two further arrests were also made as part of the investigation by Kent Police.

Neighbourhood officers were on duty on Sunday 1 June 2025 in an operation to disrupt shoplifting in the Westwood area of Thanet.

Working with store security staff, police received a report that a group of people had been seen in a store who were acting suspiciously. Plain clothes officers attended and watched a man fill a bag with items before getting into a car.

The man was stopped by patrols and arrested after a search revealed he had over £500 worth of men’s underwear in the back of the car. Officers also found black sacks in the vehicle containing clothing, some with tags still attached.

At the same time, officers also arrested two women on suspicion of shoplifting.

During the operation, properties were also searched, resulting in further suspected stolen clothing seized.

Charged

Lloyd Armstrong, 38 and of no fixed address, was charged the following day with shoplifting in relation to the theft, as well as an earlier theft on 26 May.

He appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 3 June where he admitted the offences and it was confirmed he had breached a suspended sentence for previous offending. In total Armstrong was jailed for 18 weeks.

The women, aged 42 and 46, were released on bail pending further enquiries.

Inspector Richard Batten of Thanet Community Safety Unit said:

‘Local officers regularly work to support businesses against the scourge of shoplifting. We take theft seriously and will continue to run operations that disrupt and stop any would-be thieves from stealing.’