Residents are being urged to stay vigilant against rogue doorstep callers after two individuals were remanded in custody for targeting a vulnerable victim in a distraction burglary.
The theft occurred on the evening of Thursday, 3 September 2026, when a intruder gained entry to a home in Chatham after falsely asking the occupant for a glass of water for a dog.
Once inside the property, the suspect snatched the resident’s handbag before fleeing the scene. Following inquiries, a 54-year-old woman from Maidstone and a 49-year-old man from Chatham were arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of burglary with intent to steal.
The pair appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on 15 September and were remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on 12 October.
Police are reminding homeowners never to allow unknown individuals into their properties and to report any suspicious doorstep requests immediately. Anyone with further information regarding the incident is urged to contact Kent Police.