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The campaign to protect west Kent shops from retail crime has continued with charges for three women.
Two Orpington women aged 46 and 37 allegedly went to Asda in Swanley High Street on two occasions in late October 2024, and stole goods with a total value of £210.49. They were arrested by officers on Friday 25 October and later charged with two thefts. One was also charged with stealing items worth £81.20 in September, at the same location.
Both women appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 28 October where they pleaded guilty. The 46-year-old was remanded in custody to a hearing at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 31 October while the woman aged 37, was conditionally bailed to the same hearing.
In a separate investigation, Tunbridge Wells officers received reports of multiple thefts in the town during September and October.
Shops including BP petrol stations, Marks and Spencer and Costcutter were targeted for alcohol and food items costing around £180. The incidents were investigated and, on Friday 25 October, a woman was arrested and taken into custody.
The 35-year-old from Tunbridge Wells, was charged with nine thefts. She appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on the following day, where she was remanded to a hearing at the same court on Friday 1 November.