Local News

Computer-generated images of a man have been released by detectives investigating a spate of distraction burglaries in the Sittingbourne and Newington areas.

All three burglaries, which are being linked by detectives, were reported to Kent Police on Monday 12th August.

The first was reported to have happened between 3.30pm and 4.10pm when two men tricked their way into a property in Callaways Lane, Newington. The men claimed they were doing a survey in the area about blocked drains due to oil being poured down sinks. After being allowed entry to the property, they asked the property owner, a 76-year-old man, to mix some water and bleach in a saucepan to help clear the drains. After a short while both men left the property. When the pensioner went upstairs he realised his wallet with about £120 cash was missing.

The two offenders then struck again, both at properties quite close together in Sittingbourne. Between 4pm and 4.55pm two men knocked at a property in Kenilworth Court and were allowed entry after claiming they were fitting a kitchen nearby and the drain was blocked. They asked if the home owner, an 80-year-old man, would run his tap for five minutes to check. The two men left soon after and when the victim went upstairs he noticed some cabinets and a jewellery box had been moved. He then checked his wallet and realised £30 cash was missing.

At a similar time, between 4.40pm and 4.50pm, the two burglars used a similar excuse to trick their way into a house in Homewood Avenue. The occupant, an 87-year-old woman, was told the two men were fitting a kitchen but were experiencing problems because some fat had been poured down a drain. They offered to check the elderly woman's drains and one man went out in the garden to check, while the other remained in the house. The woman's chiropodist then arrived at the house and the two men left through the back garden. It has since been reported that a large amount of cash in £20 notes is missing.

The main offender has been described as a white man, aged between 35 and 45, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with short black hair and he spoke with a Yorkshire accent. He was wearing a white shirt with stripes and dark trousers and shoes.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sasha Monck of Kent Police, told SFM News that "these two men have tricked their way into the homes of elderly and vulnerable people with the intent to deceive them and steal money. This time of crime is not common in these areas, but they can cause a great deal of distress to the victims. If you have any information, I would urge you to get in touch with us. We would always advise anyone to close the door if they have any doubts, or tell callers to return at another time when there is someone else there".

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call DC Monck on 01634 792166 quoting reference XY/25160/13 (Newington), XY/25168/13 (Kenilworth Court) or XY/25165/13 (Homewood Avenue) or alternatively they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, investigating the murder on the Isle of Sheppey, have named the victim as 34 year-old Gary Pocock from London.

Police have also confirmed today that a third suspect has also been arrested.

Officers were called at just before 6am on Wednesday (7th August) to Warden Bay Road in Leysdown after a body was found on the beach between Little Groves caravan site and Isle of Sheppey Holiday Village. A post mortem examination concluded that the man, identified today as 34 year-old Gary Pocock, died of significant head injuries.

A third person, a 29-year-old-man from London, was arrested earlier today (Friday 9th August) and is currently being questioned by detectives.

A 44 year-old man and a 43 year-old woman arrested in connection with the offence have been released from custody without charge.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Clayden, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, is eading the investigation and told SFM News "We have released this photo of Mr Pocock in the hope that it might jog memories, and that someone might have seen him in the days and hours leading up to his death and may have information that can help us. We continue to run an incident room out of Warden Bay Village Hall, so I would welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone who has information, or who saw Gary prior to his death."

Anyone with any information, is being urged to speak to officers in person at Warden Bay Village Hall, Warden Bay Road, Leysdown between 08:00 - 18:00 or they can call 101 quoting CAD 07-0167. Alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the discovery of a body on the Isle of Sheppey in the early hours of Wednesday (7th August) morning.

A 44-year-old man and 43-year-old woman from the London area are currently in police custody.

The body of a man, thought to be in his 30's or 40's, was found on the beach between the Little Groves caravan site and Isle of Sheppey Holiday Village.

The death is being treated as suspicious and a murder investigation had been launched by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

The investigation continues and officers would still like to hear from anyone with information. They are asked to call Kent Police on 101, quoting CAD 07-0167 or alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers, free (from any landline) and  anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following the discovery of a man's body, by a dog walker, at 6.00am yesterday morning (Wednesday 7th August), on the Isle of Sheppey.

Officers were called to Warden Bay Road, in Leysdown, to a private beach between the Little Groves caravan site and Isle of Sheppey Holiday Village. 

The death is being treated as suspicious and a murder investigation was launched by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate yesterday (Wednesday 7th August). 

Detectives have revealed that the victim, who is believed to be in his 30's or 40's  had been "savagely beaten" and left naked from the waist down. He was described as being white, bald, around 5ft 6ins tall and was wearing a ring on his wedding finger. It is not known whether the man is local or a holiday-maker and police say the cause of death is "yet to be determined" as a post mortem has not  yet been undertaken.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Clayden, leading the investigation, told SFM News: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything on or near this stretch of beach between 8pm on Tuesday night and 6am on Wednesday morning. They can come and speak to our officers, who will be based at Warden Bay Village Hall, or they can call us 101 (quoting CAD 07-0167) or they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111".