Three arrested after suspected stolen goods recovered by police

A car stopped by officers has resulted in the arrests of three people and the recovery of suspected stolen goods.

During the afternoon of Tuesday 22 August 2023, Kent Police received a report that a group of people been seen changing the number plate on a car in Folkestone and then driving away. Officers on patrol in the area attended the location and were made aware of a discarded number plate. Swift enquiries led them to link it to a vehicle believed to be present during an attempted theft of power tools at a store in Park Farm earlier that day.

The information regarding the vehicle was shared with other policing teams in the county and, later that day, the vehicle was stopped by a patrol in the Dartford area.

A search of the vehicle resulted in officers seizing a large amount of alcohol, suspected to be linked to a theft from a supermarket in Whitstable earlier that day.

Arrests made

Three men from London, aged 21, 22, and 23, were arrested on suspicion of theft and fraud. They have been released on bail until 15 November pending further investigation.

District Commander for Folkestone and Hythe, Chief Inspector Mark Hedges said: ‘This was a great result with officers working together having received a call about suspicious activity in Folkestone. We are grateful to people who report when they see something they don’t believe is right. By the community helping to be our eyes and ears, we can work towards keeping Folkestone safe.'